Engineering control assessment of the plastics and resins industry... case study: manufacture of PVC by bulk polymerization

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bochinski JH ; Gideon, J. A. ; Schoultz KS
• Description:
  Studies were undertaken at various facilities to evaluate the control methods used in 16 polymerization and compounding processes which provide a good representation of the type and extent of worker protection strategies in the industry. Particular attention was given to the polyvinyl-chloride (PVC) production part of this industry as there has been extensive development and application of vinyl-chloride (75014) controls over the past several years. Most of the engineering controls evaluated in this study are directed toward reducing workplace concentration of vinyl-chloride to below the 8 hour time weighted average of 1 parts per million (ppm) or 5ppm for any 15 minute period, which were the federal regulations. Some control measures were also evaluated which are designed to control dust levels and others which were aimed at reducing noise levels. The main features which have reduced worker exposure include the designing of the VC monomer stripping process which takes place in the jacketed autoclave following the polymerization cycle. A reflux vapor condenser was used to remove the heat generated during the polymerization reaction and a filter assembly has been designed to remove particulates from the VC monomer vapor which is released after the polymerization step is completed. Descriptions were included of the VC monomer recovery operations, dual blowout disc interlocks, prepolymerization entry procedure, vent stack location, leak detection and prevention system, local exhaust ventilation, general ventilation system, ongoing improvements, monitoring effectiveness, dust control, personal protective equipment, and noise reduction. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Carcinogens Dust Occupational Health Plastics Safety Vinyl Chloride
• Keywords:
  Control-technology Dust-control NIOSH-Author Plastics-industry Vinyl-plastics Worker-health
• ISSN:
  0002-8894
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DBBS - Division of Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  38
• Issue:
  12
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00186997
• Citation:
  Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 1977 Dec; 38(12):653-661
• CAS Registry Number:
  Vinyl chloride (CAS RN 75-01-4)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1978
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:453b55d46635c155c0ec5ea5ad22046b3779441401f9f5916a1eade8102befd2414103aa063e02fde404653d3b23f104c8dc9a3095331844987d4064b65728a7
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/204607/cdc_204607_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 687.86 KB ]