What health problems can outgassing plastics cause?
I have
received several letters from those who have read my story about outgassing. I certainly
did not intend to cause alarm.
Plastics outgas (also referred to as off gassing or degassing). The rate at
which this outgassing occurs depends on the resin type, time, temperature and atmospherics. The good news is that outgassing of a material will decrease over time. The bad news is that some materials can outgas over a period of several years.
Some people are concerned about the potential hazards of this outgassing on our health. These concerns are not unfounded. According to our EPA, chemical vapors from plastic materials potentially can cause asthma and other respiratory problems, as well as skin and eye irritation.
Some people are concerned about the potential hazards of this outgassing on our health. These concerns are not unfounded. According to our EPA, chemical vapors from plastic materials potentially can cause asthma and other respiratory problems, as well as skin and eye irritation.
Health
issues resulting from exposure to pressure sensitive vinyl films, in my mind,
should not cause anyone loss of sleep. Outgassing
vapors from materials used in the home construction industry, on the other hand, do
warrant careful consideration and evaluation.
Having
worked as a construction manager for what was the largest custom home builder in
Illinois in the 70s, I would recommend that contractors and home owners
carefully review product information on raw materials and consider natural and
safer choices.
In
selecting building materials alternative, you will have to rely on the data
provided by materials manufacturers. Unfortunately, there is no home test kit
that you can buy to reliably evaluate air quality. Testing of vapors emitted
from materials is a very specialized endeavor requiring very expensive and
specialized laboratory equipment. Various tests are conducted according to
specific industry protocols, such as ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) procedures.
Laboratory
tests are generally conducted in some type of vacuum chamber. Some tests
measure the loss of mass of a material. Other instruments collect and analyze
the volatile gases from products.
Unless
you can afford expensive tests or can live in a bubble, make the best common sense decisions with
the information available on materials selection and forget about it. We are
doing pretty well as a species. With seven billion people on the planet, it is
not likely that we will soon face extinction and be placed on the endangered
species list.
Vinyl Application Videos
Squeegee Technique. Nothing is more basic in vinyl application than the squeegee. But some squeegees work better than others. And there are right ways and wrong ways to use this simple tool. This video clip reviews squeegee selection, squeegee care and squeegee technique. Click to Link
Wet Applications. Dry applications are typically recommended for most vinyl applications. For those exceptions to the rule, this instructional video explains the right way to perform a wet application. Click to Link
Application of Window Graphics. Installing vinyl graphics on glass can be challenging, because the adhesive aggressively grabs onto this high energy surface. Repositioning graphics on window is generally difficult, if not impossible. This instructional video explains how to dry apply window graphics right the first time. It also describes the necessary steps required for surface preparation. Click to Link
Transferring Frosted Window Graphics Films. Because frosted window films are highly textured, transferring cut vinyl graphics can be problematic. This video provides direction in selection of the right application tape and how to apply these films quickly, easily and without problems. Click to Link
3-Step Surface Prep. This instructional video describes how to properly clean the surface of a vehicle before applying pressure sensitive vinyl graphics to a trailer or doing a full wrap of a car or van. This three step surface prep involves detergent washing, solvent cleaning and a final wipe down with IPA. Click to Link
Vinyl Application Over Rivets. Applying vinyl graphics on vehicle surfaces with rivets is challenging for most sign makers. Vinyl failures to these surfaces are all too common. This video demonstrates some tips and procedures, used by professional decal installers, which will make these demanding applications easier and more trouble-free. Click to Link
Vinyl Application to Corrugations. Learn how to apply vinyl graphics to corrugations in a relaxed state. Forcing films into the valleys of corrugations puts too much mechanical stress on the film. Sooner or later, the vinyl will lift or tent in valleys. Click to Link
Applying Air Egress Vinyls. Vinyl films with air egress release liners have almost eliminated bubbles and wrinkles from applied graphics. Air egress release liners with their highly textured surface structure are problematic. Not much will stick to these liners other than the vinyl film. At RTape our best premask solution for air egress liners is a special Conform® tape called 4761RLA. Click to Link
About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.
Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer. Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.
Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for publications, such as Signs Canada, SignCraft, Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 325 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published. Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon.
© 2016 Jim Hingst
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