PVC Grinding Dust Collection

Reducing the Risk of PVC Grinding Dust Exposure with Dust Collector

Employing over 900,000 workers, plastic manufacturing is the third largest industry in the United States. And with over $10 billion spent on capital improvements just a few years ago, the plastics industry continues to be essential not only to the American economy, but also to our modern way of life.

Plastics for packaging alone accounts for almost 40% of the total consumption of plastic, much of that going to the preservation of food as it travels to our restaurants and grocery stores. But plastic not only helps to feed us, it is also crucial to the building, electronics and pharmaceutical industries.

The manufacture of plastics like Polyethylene, Polypropylene and Polyvinylchloride (PVC), happens in every state with a staggering 16,000 facilities in the US altogether. There is no doubt about it, plastics are big business.

Exposure Risks for PVC Grinding Dust

In any type of plastic manufacturing, there are risks specifically regarding workplace air quality. Due to the nature of the material, the machining and grinding of plastics like PVC can create an environment that is unpleasant—and even dangerous—to work in. PVC grinding, for instance, releases chlorine in the form of dioxins—a group of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen composites that are bonded to chlorine molecules. A common name for the most toxic of the dioxins, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, is TCDD. And, unfortunately, TCDD is released in the grinding of PVC.

Another factor to consider when dealing with air quality in relation to plastic-manufacturing methods, like PVC grinding, is the increased levels of airborne dust particulates. These particulates pose a risk in any manufacturing situation due to the potential for dust combustion.

Dust particulates serve as a fuel source for any nearby combustion that may occur in manufacturing—whether as a process or as an accident. The increased surface area of dust particulates means that dust will react to its environment more easily than a solid substrate and ignite, literally setting the air on fire. For this reason, optimal dust collection is a must.

Regulations for PVC Grinding Dust

Regulations for PVC Grinding Dust Collection

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates both “nuisance dust” and that of particular substances. One of OSHA’s primary mechanisms for these regulations is the permissible exposure limit (PEL), which measures a worker’s exposure to a substance as an average over an 8-hour shift. OSHA has issued around 500 PEL’s.

PVC grinding produces certain dust particulates that are extremely dangerous. Vinyl chloride, for example, is associated with cancer. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency classifies this chemical as a Group A human carcinogen. OSHA has a specific PEL for vinyl chloride and limits worker exposure to 1 ppm (TWA) with an action level of 0.5 ppm.

Dust Collectors for PVC Grinding Capture and Extraction

RoboVent can create a custom design to handle any dust-collection challenge while still giving your budget the attention it deserves. With our exclusive VentMapping software, we can target every problem area in your facility for the most cost-effective, clean-air solution.

If a more conventional solution would solve your dust problems, RoboVent has self-contained dust collectors like those in our Fusion Series. These can be configured individually or in a facility-wide grid system. RoboVent’s dust collectors increase your manufacturing plant’s efficiency both on a product level as well as an employee level. Clean air improves worker health, minimizes contamination of source materials and eliminates the potential for dust combustion, adding up to potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in prevention.

Configurations

Traditional Configuration

The traditional configuration maximizes performance with ductwork sized for optimal airflow for your specific applications.

Services

VentMapping® Engineering

VentMapping is a systematic engineering and design service. Our comprehensive approach helps us find the safest, most effective and most efficient way to meet your goals.

RoboVent Maintenance Program, Clean Air and Industrial Air Filtration Solutions

ClientCare Maintenance Program

ClientCare lets you leverage RoboVent's expertise so you can reduce the burden on your maintenance staff and stay focused on your core business.

Collectors

Fusion™ Series

A dust collector on the cutting edge of air filtration. The Fusion Series delivers exceptional performance and cost savings in a powerful, simple package.

Products

Endurex RMO Cartridge Filters

RoboVent's premium filter engineered to provide the best filtration protection for your plant and employees. A widened pleat and proprietary filter media help deliver top performance.