Control of Styrene Vapor during the Manufacture of Fiber-Reinforced Plastics Small Parts

摘要

Surveys of control technology for reducing styrene (100425) exposures at seven fiber reinforced plastics manufacturing facilities (SIC-3079) were conducted. Personal and area air samples were analyzed for styrene vapor at two facilities. One set of personal samples was obtained while employee work practices in the lamination area at one facility were being observed. Engineering controls at the facilities consisted of ventilation systems of various types (air makeup units, ground level exhaust blowers, and cross flow push/pull units) and styrene suppressant resins. Personal protective equipment included respirators, worn by workers in lamination and gel coating areas, coveralls, protective gloves, and safety goggles. A protective barrier cream was provided at one facility. Personal styrene samples at both facilities indicated that the OSHA standard of 100 parts per million (ppm) was generally being met. Area samples in the barrier coating area at one facility, however, averaged 171ppm. Personal styrene exposures were found to be a function of time spent laminating and the time spent upwind and downwind of the lamination surface. The author notes that the results of the study should be useful for designing styrene control systems.