posted May 10, 2003 08:27 AM               

No one was to know what it was, so as they filled up, they were then drained into a 55 gallon drum (which promptly started to leak).

This is a serios problem in most PVC shops, and you need to design a method to neutralize the acid as it enters the fume hood's.

posted May 11, 2003 12:00 PM               

You need to know and control the exit melt temp.,and insure there are no hang-up points in the barrel,head, and die. With early HCl
elimination--i.e.1-3 double bonds on PVC,a black light can detect early degradation on the profile.Visible discoloration starts at 3-5 double bonds.

In any event, I agree with Ken that a good venting system is essential not only at each machine, but throughout the plant!

posted June 17, 2003 07:28 PM               

There are no known studies on long term effects from sucking in PVC fumes.

In heavy doses (HEAVY,....like swimming in fumes...) It errodes the bones in the fingure tips and toes.
Much worse happens after that.
(PBS.org, 2001)

This was happening in the 60's when Chloride
was first being processed, but in it's rawest form.
The US Gov., of course, tried to cover it up.
It became a worldwide coverup between chloride processing companies.

PVC (type 1) also contains the same chemicals
that were found in the most favorite weapons
of WW2.

Some well known companies are doing away with PVC all together, and don't even attempt
to mention the word to PETA or Greenpeace.

Either way, I have seen companies get nervous over things like PVC buildup on hoods
and dies, (IE dripping into bottles....)
and it is then handled like cynide.
They see million dollar lawsuits in 30 years...

My advice is to keep your hoods/exaust in tip-top shape, and where a resp.whenever possible.

You can find info on PVC chemicals here: http://www.psrc.usm.edu/macrog/pc.htm

PS: The liver is the first thing to be effected by PVC, keep that in check as well.

posted June 18, 2003 12:25 AM               

Your post is the most blatant "claptrap" that
I've seen in a long time!!
With over 12 BILLION lbs of PVC processed in the U.S.ALONE each year, NO ONE is "corking off" due to "EXCESS HCl fumes"!! A well maintained PVC production facility uses efficient venting to take care of the MINIMAL
HCl that MAY be generated during production runs---if more serious problems are occuring
on a continuous basis, that company will not
last very long competively!
I've looked at your recommended web site, and find it to be replete with negative innuendos
and an "anti-plastics agenda" that does not correlate with the real world!!