Toxicology and occupational hazards of new materials and processes in metal surface treatment, powder metallurgy, technical ceramics, and fiber-reinforced plastics.

Abstract

MIDTOARD U, JELNES JE . Toxicology and occupat ional hazards of new materials and processes in metal surface treatment, powder metallurgy, technical ceramics, and fiber-reinforced plastics. Scand J Work En viron Health 1991;17:369-79. Many new materials and processes are about to find their way from the research laboratory into industry. The present paper describes some of these processes and provides an overviewof possible occupational hazards and a list of chemicals used or produced in the processes. The technological areas that are considered are metal surface treatme nt (ion implantation, physical and chemical vapor deposition, plasma spraying), powder metallurgy, advanced technical ceramics, and fiberreinforced plastics.Key terms: carbides, chemical vapor deposition, fibers, high-tech ceramics, ion implantation, nitrides, oxides, physical vapor deposition, plasma spray.Technological advancement implies that new processes and materials are constantly being developed. This development involves several industries and scientific disciplines, and the research is often carried out as part of governmental programs. For example, some of the Nordic countries have encouraged research and development in new material technologies by allocating large sums of money for this field. As a result of such programs, several new technological processes are about to find their way from the research laboratory into more general use in industry.It is the purpose of the present paper to pro vide an overview of the different kinds of materials and potential workplace hazards associated with some technologies which are more or less new . The technologies that are considered in this report are metal surface treatment, powder metallurgy, advanced technical ceramics, and fiber-reinforced plastics. These areas were chosen since they are about to have a major industrial breakthrough in the Nordic countries.As an initial step in identifying the chemicals used or produced in the various processes and their potential workplace hazards, we have consulted handbooks, information booklets, and research proposals from various technology centers. Information has also been gathered from meetings and visits to some of the research centers.In being engaged at an earl y stage, it is our hope that new hazards are foreseen so that serious occupa- New materialsVery often new processes and materials are introduced into the workplace before their impact on industrial hygiene is fully understood (I). In fact , scientists are able to create new materials and new chemicals at a much faster rate than the toxicologist can evaluate them . Consequently, many of the substances currently handled or produced in industrial processes are toxicologically unknown. This problem may be of limited concern to designers and research scientists, who are generally not subjected to serious or long-term exposure to hazardous agents. However, in large-scale industrial applications the risk of long-term exposure, and accidental overexposure, is ever present. Therefore, protection...