Since continuing technical development of new processes and products in the plastics industry must be expected in the years to come, it is increasingly essential to work toward the toxicity testing of new chemicals. The many untested and suspected chemicals used in the field of plastics and synthetic elastomers demonstrate the importance of control of both the occupational environment and the distribution of such chemicals from occupational sources. In the plastics processing industry it is necessary to evaluate possible health hazards of the fumes from plastics at high temperatures.

Aerosols↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in foundries.

Air and dust samples from iron foundries were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) by glass capillary gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and thin-layer chromatography. Fifty compounds were identified as PAH, among them known carcinogens and cocarcinogens. Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) was measured quantitatively. The results were grouped according to the types of organic additives in the molding sand. The B[a]P concentrations were highest in foundries using coal tar pitch and in the work phases of shake-out, casting, and molding. In the Ames assay the dust samples showed mutagenic activity, but in most cases lower than that calculated from the concentration of B[a]P. It is suggested that B[a]P can be used as a hygienic marker in branches of industry with PAH problems.

Air Pollutants↗