Abstract

Electrostatic powder painting (dry-powder painting), used by almost 200 Quebec companies, presents both explosion and fire hazards, due to the presence of airborne combustible dusts, and toxicity hazards, due to the components of the paint powder or the gas used to bake the finish. As part of an CSST initiative designed to eliminate these hazards, an IRSST researcher developed and implemented analytical methods for three categories of substances emitted during this process: NEC (not elsewhere classified) dusts, TGIC (triglycidyl isocyanurate) dusts and isocyanates. Aldehydes were also evaluated, in order to characterize degradation products produced during powder curing in the ovens. While analytical methods were available for isocyanates and aldehydes, it was necessary to develop methods for TGIC. The results of this province-wide project pinpointed a significant exposure problem to NEC and TGIC dusts in workplaces. A provincial committee is currently evaluating possible control strategies for these exposures.