Posted By Karen Wiles
I am trying to find out if there is any record anywhere of anyone having a reaction to silicon dust within the printing industry. I understand it can cause issues in the ceramics industry for example but can find no info regarding the print industry. Our employees handle self adhesive material that has a silicon coated backing paper.
Karen Wiles
H&S Coordinator

Posted By steve e ashton
Karen

Be careful with the information that you have.

Silicon is an element. It is generally inert and has few harmful properties unless at extremenly high temperatures, or (sometimes) in very finely divided powder or fuming form,

Silica is Silicon (di-)Oxide and causes very serious lung damage after prolonged excessive exposure. Foundry workers and mine workers can suffer fatal disease from exposure. It has been used as a lubricant in the past, but I'm not aware of any current applications.

Silca gel (I think) is simlar stuff, but hydrated.

Silicone (which I suspect is the material you need advice about) is (I think) SiH4 polymerised. It has various health effects,some of which can be serious - but normally only at very high exposure levels. It is the material used in breast implants

You need to know exactly what it is that your people are exposed to. You need to check the manufacturer's material safety data sheet (if you haven't got one then insist on getting one). Find out exactly what you are dealing with. How much of it, in what form, how often and how exposure occurs.

If your worker(s) is(are) suffering ill-effects that you cannot explain (and prevent) with the information you have, then get expert help.

If one of your workers is suffering skin problems as a result of handling the material, then you need to find out where the problem is coming from, what is causing it, and what you can do to reduce the risk of it happening again (or getting worse).

Trying to be helpful, but I note I have raised more questions than I have answered.

Sorry

Steve