Posted By martin gray1

Hi all
Could I ask members for their advise regarding (Poly vinyl chloride) (PVC) dust. I have been told by the extruding company that it is classified as non hazardous dust! I have come up with a quite different view from the Internet.

I am concerned with the sanding down of this product once it is in it's solid state. It is not so much the precautions to take as I am aware of them, it is more the recognised or not recognised, hazardous contents that are concerning me. This is a very widely used substance and yet if what I have read is true, it is not recognised as a major health hazard. I am very worried about what I have read and would very much like to hear views from members, who have a greater understanding of this area than myself.

Many Thanks
MG

Posted By Kate Graham
I wouldn't believe everything you read on the Internet!

Kate

Posted By Adrian Watson
The currently available evidence suggests that Polyvinyl chloride is harmless when fully cured.

There is no doubt that PVC products are functionally cured soon after extruding, but there is some evidence that it takes weeks, months or years to cure them fully.

Cutting, grinding or working freshly produced roducts may result in exposure to vinyl chloride monomer on the surface of the dust. This is why PVC dust has a WEL in the UK. Vinyl chloride monomer is a known Class 1 carcinogen.

The general advice is therefore to use local exhaust ventilation or a dust-mask (FFP2) when cutting or grinding PVC.

Regards Adrian Watson