|
Environment, Safety and Health (ES&H)
|
 |
Composites and plastics
pose potential hazards
to both the environment and the people who work with them. By
identifying the hazards ahead of time, proper measures can be taken to
reduce or eliminate the risks. In many cases, these materials can be
safer and more environmentally friendly than the traditional materials
they replace.
All manufacturers must provide a material safety data sheet, or
MSDS, for all products. The MSDS describes the personnel hazards
associated with the material. For composites, the MSDS describes the
hazards of the uncured
material only.
In their unprocessed form, thermoset resins pose the greatest
risk. The primary hazard comes from volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
given off by the resins. New government regulations, both in the
U.S. and Europe, significantly limit personnel exposure to
VOCs. Resins can also cause skin damage and allergic
reactions. Thermoplastic resins are handled in solid form and pose
little risk. Excess or waste materials are cured, rendering them
inert, before disposal. The solvents used in processing plastics,
however, remain hazardous both in handling and in disposal.
Fibers
are relatively benign, but carbon and
glass
fibers can cause skin and respiratory irritation. Fibers are too large
to be inhaled, so irritation is limited to the upper respiratory
tract. Carbon fibers are conductive, so electrical and electronic
equipment should be protected from contamination. Adequate dust
control should be used when machining
composites of any type.
At the end of product life, composites pose the same environmental
challenges as unreinforced plastics. Direct recycling as with metals
is generally not possible. Aside from landfilling, the materials can
be burned (and the waste heat used to generate energy) or ground
into a filler material. When considering energy use through the entire
product life, though, composites and plastics may be more
environmentally friendly than metals or other materials. They often
require less energy to process initially. Composite structures are
usually much lighter than metallic structures, which further saves on
fuel usage (when, for example, composites are used to reduce the
weight of cars, trucks or aircraft).
|
|
|
|
|
Articles and Information
|
|
ES&H Resources:
Government resources, general information, MSDS libraries,
recycling, services and products for ES&H issues related to
composites and plastics.
Working With Resins:
Overview of the hazards and protections associated with resins.
Working With Fibers:
Overview of the hazards and protections associated with fibers.
|
|
|
More Sites:
|
|
MSDS-Search
Lab Safety Supply
OSHA Technical Manual
|
|
|
|
Newsletter:
|
|
Stay up-to-date! Subscribe to the Composite Materials newsletter and get the latest information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
