PVC Grinding Dust Collection
PVC Grinding Dust Collection
Employing over 900,000 workers, plastic manufacturing is the third largest industry in the United States. And with over $10 billion spent on capital improvements just a few years ago, the plastics industry continues to be essential not only to the American economy, but also to our modern way of life.
Plastics for packaging alone accounts for almost 40% of the total consumption of plastic, much of that going to the preservation of food as it travels to our restaurants and grocery stores. But plastic not only helps to feed us, it is also crucial to the building, electronics and pharmaceutical industries.
The manufacture of plastics like Polyethylene, Polypropylene and Polyvinylchloride (PVC), happens in every state with a staggering 16,000 facilities in the US altogether. There is no doubt about it, plastics are big business.
Plastics for packaging alone accounts for almost 40% of the total consumption of plastic, much of that going to the preservation of food as it travels to our restaurants and grocery stores. But plastic not only helps to feed us, it is also crucial to the building, electronics and pharmaceutical industries.
The manufacture of plastics like Polyethylene, Polypropylene and Polyvinylchloride (PVC), happens in every state with a staggering 16,000 facilities in the US altogether. There is no doubt about it, plastics are big business.
Exposure Risks for PVC Grinding Dust
In any type of plastic manufacturing, there are risks specifically regarding workplace air quality. Due to the nature of the material, the machining and grinding of plastics like PVC can create an environment that is unpleasant—and even dangerous—to work in. PVC grinding, for instance, releases chlorine in the form of dioxins—a group of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen composites that are bonded to chlorine molecules. A common name for the most toxic of the dioxins, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, is TCDD. And, unfortunately, TCDD is released in the grinding of PVC.
Another factor to consider when dealing with air quality in relation to plastic-manufacturing methods, like PVC grinding, is the increased levels of airborne dust particulates. These particulates pose a risk in any manufacturing situation due to the potential for dust combustion.
Dust particulates serve as a fuel source for any nearby combustion that may occur in manufacturing—whether as a process or as an accident. The increased surface area of dust particulates means that dust will react to its environment more easily than a solid substrate and ignite, literally setting the air on fire. For this reason, optimal dust collection is a must.
Another factor to consider when dealing with air quality in relation to plastic-manufacturing methods, like PVC grinding, is the increased levels of airborne dust particulates. These particulates pose a risk in any manufacturing situation due to the potential for dust combustion.
Dust particulates serve as a fuel source for any nearby combustion that may occur in manufacturing—whether as a process or as an accident. The increased surface area of dust particulates means that dust will react to its environment more easily than a solid substrate and ignite, literally setting the air on fire. For this reason, optimal dust collection is a must.
Regulations for PVC Grinding Dust Collection
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates both “nuisance dust” and that of particular substances. One of OSHA’s primary mechanisms for these regulations is the permissible exposure limit (PEL), which measures a worker’s exposure to a substance as an average over an 8-hour shift. OSHA has issued around 500 PEL’s.
PVC grinding produces certain dust particulates that are extremely dangerous. Vinyl chloride, for example, is associated with cancer. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency classifies this chemical as a Group A human carcinogen. OSHA has a specific PEL for vinyl chloride and limits worker exposure to 1 ppm (TWA) with an action level of 0.5 ppm.
PVC grinding produces certain dust particulates that are extremely dangerous. Vinyl chloride, for example, is associated with cancer. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency classifies this chemical as a Group A human carcinogen. OSHA has a specific PEL for vinyl chloride and limits worker exposure to 1 ppm (TWA) with an action level of 0.5 ppm.
Dust Collectors for PVC Grinding Capture and Extraction
Napcen has decades of experience controlling dusts of all kinds, from high volumes of nuisance dusts to the finest particulates of highly dangerous metallic dusts. Napcen’s Fusion Series of dust collectors are ideal for abrasive blasting applications due to their rugged cabinet design and powerful dust collection capabilities. Engineered from the ground up using state-of-the-art CFD simulation technology, Fusion Series collectors provide the flexibility, efficiency and performance you need to protect workers.
If your operation is changing or filled with confusing variables, Napcen’s Mapping process can help you identify your specific needs and the best solution available. Whether you need a source capture solution to clean up a specific location or process, or an ambient capture system to clean the air across an entire facility, Napcen has the expertise and equipment options to solve the problem.
If your operation is changing or filled with confusing variables, Napcen’s Mapping process can help you identify your specific needs and the best solution available. Whether you need a source capture solution to clean up a specific location or process, or an ambient capture system to clean the air across an entire facility, Napcen has the expertise and equipment options to solve the problem.