Portwest Automotive Magazine

ENVIRONMENTAL The automotive sector poses several respiratory hazards during the manufacturing and maintenance processes. Chemical Exposure

Why is Spraying Paint harmful to health? Many spray paints contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs are carbon based substances which produce harmful gases. These enter your system through inhalation or skin absorption. Isocyanate based paints are especially toxic, and breathing apparatus should be considered in such instances.

The dangers posed by hazardous substances are often underestimated, as many chemicals can become airborne and enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact without immediate awareness. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) To mitigate these risks, the use of PPE for respiratory protection is crucial: • Disposable FFP2 or FFP3 filtering masks for sanding • Disposable overalls to prevent dust accumulation on clothing • Nitrile gloves to protect hands from dust and during wet sanding • Appropriate respiratory protection, such as a half mask, is especially important where extraction systems are insufficient Body Fillers and Associated Risks Most body fillers consist of a thermosetting unsaturated polyester in a solvent mixed with a reactive hardener. These hardeners can cause skin irritation and dermatitis, and often contain styrene and methacrylate’s, which emit strong odours. Additionally, glass fibre fillers can irritate the skin. EN 149:2001+A1:2009 Respiratory Protective Devices – Filtering Half Masks to Protect Against Particles. This European Standard covers particle filtering half masks i.e., disposable dust masks. With the A1:2009 amendment, these are now classified as either not reusable (NR) beyond a single working shift, or reusable for more than 1 shift (R).

THE EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL EXPOSURE

Short-term effects Eye, nose, and throat irritation

Long-term effects

Occupational asthma

Headaches

Cancer

Nausea/vomiting

Liver and kidney damage

Central nervous system damage

Dizziness

Worsening of asthma symptoms

DISPOSABLE MASK SELECTION ​ FFP3​ FFP2​ FFP1​ Minimum Filtration % 99%​ 94%​ 80%​

Total Inward Leakage (TIL)

2%​

8%​

22%​

Nominal Protection Factor (NPF) Assigned Protection Factor (APF)

50 x WEL​ 12 x WEL​ 4 x WEL​

20 x WEL​ 10 x WEL​ 4 x WEL​

AUTOMOTIVE

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