Case study: Chemical emissions from injection moulded plastic parts

The project

Workers noted odours from injection molded plastic parts, particularly when opening sealed containers of the parts and loading them into machines for processing. Air sampling inside sealed containers of the parts indicated off-gassing of formaldehyde and several other volatile organic chemicals.

The outcome

Airborne levels of formaldehyde and other VOCs in the workplace were non-detectable, and short-term exposures during opening the containers were very low. As the problem was limited to the accumulation of odorous off-gassing vapours accumulating over time in the sealed containers, protocols to vent the containers prior to handling and unloading were able to be implemented to prevent exposure. Workers were able to be reassured that there were no longer any exposures, and that previous exposures were below levels of concern.