We are looking at torch-cutting steel cable wrapped in plastic and want to do air monitoring. What is the best way to test? And what kind of test we should do?
TestAmerica Expert: Michael McGee
Expert's Response:
From your inquiry, it appears that you would be interested in evaluating the airborne thermal decomposition products of plastic coating on metal cable and perhaps airborne metals concentrations.
Evaluation of the metals air concentrations would be the most straightforward. The process involves determining the metals composition of the metal portion of the cable and collecting air samples for those metals utilizing NIOSH Method 7300, a capability that TestAmerica offers to analyze air samples.
The measurement of thermal decomposition products from burning plastic is much more challenging. The main issue is that the thermal decomposition products produced depend on quite a number of variables, including the type of plastic and the temperature of the melting or burning plastic. Potentially, a long list of contaminants could be generated, including carbon monoxide, vinyl chloride, hydrogen chloride, a variety of hydrocarbons, particulates and other chemical constituents. The chemical composition of smoke from burning plastic would be expected to vary considerably with the temperature of the plastic, and the temperature of the plastic would vary a great deal over time. For an overview of this issue relating to PVC coatings or material, read NIST's "Toxicity of the Pyrolysis and Combustion Products of Poly (Vinyl Chlorides)."
TestAmerica can analyze air samples for most of the constituents associated with thermal decomposition of plastic material. The challenge is identifying the constituents to measure. For an overview of exposure assessment planning, view Testamerica's webinar presentation on Exposure Assessment Planning.
If the smoke coming off burning plastic is the main concern, then it might be best to avoid burning the plastic by physically cutting away the plastic material from the areas on the cable where the torch will be used to cut the cable. Short of that, it may be possible to utilize local exhaust ventilation to draw away the plastic thermal decomposition products away from the worker utilizing the torch.
nice blog very informative and detailed blog very useful thnks for sharing such detailed information
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