Carbon Fibres
NAME: Nigel Khan
UNIVERSITY BANNER ID: 747625
PROGRAMME OF STUDY: M. Sc. Safety, Health and Environment/Occupational Hygiene
COURSE: The Chemical Environment
TERM: 2
LEVEL: 7
ASSIGNMENT: 1
SESSION: 2012/13
TUTOR: Stuart Allan
WORD COUNT: 1,891
Carbon fibre is a strong, yet light, reinforced polymer. Carbon fibres are used in applications where high strength and light weight are required. Carbon fibres can also be easily moulded into the desired shape. They are also chemically inert, resistant to heat, and do not expand under changing temperatures.
Machining of carbon fibre materials can generate airborne particles. The potential health effects of these particles have been widely debated. To date, there has been no report of occupational illness directly related to carbon fibres. Its chemical properties and toxicity have been researched and analysed to determine if it is safe for human contact.
Carbon fibres are widely used in industrial and strenuous applications. Because of its desirable strength and light weight, carbon fibres can be expensive. It is used in the following applications: * Automotive (including Formula One racing); * Sailboats; * Rowing boats; * Bicycles; * Motorcycles; * Fishing rods; * Hockey sticks; * Archery equipment; * Tent poles; * Racquet frames; * Helmets.
Picture 1: Sanding a carbon fibre surface
When analyzing dust-related occupational diseases, both chemical and physical factors must be taken into account.
Carbon fibres can cause discomfort to employees if the fibres make contact with an employee’s eyes, skin, nose or throat. Carbon fibres are not a known carcinogen (see appendix A – MSDS).
The health effects of carbon fibres depend on three factors (Seibert, 1990): 1. The quantity of fibre that is deposited in the lungs; 2. The dimension of the carbon fibres; 3. The amount of time that the carbon fibres spend in the lungs.
UNIVERSITY BANNER ID: 747625
PROGRAMME OF STUDY: M. Sc. Safety, Health and Environment/Occupational Hygiene
COURSE: The Chemical Environment
TERM: 2
LEVEL: 7
ASSIGNMENT: 1
SESSION: 2012/13
TUTOR: Stuart Allan
WORD COUNT: 1,891
Carbon fibre is a strong, yet light, reinforced polymer. Carbon fibres are used in applications where high strength and light weight are required. Carbon fibres can also be easily moulded into the desired shape. They are also chemically inert, resistant to heat, and do not expand under changing temperatures.
Machining of carbon fibre materials can generate airborne particles. The potential health effects of these particles have been widely debated. To date, there has been no report of occupational illness directly related to carbon fibres. Its chemical properties and toxicity have been researched and analysed to determine if it is safe for human contact.
Carbon fibres are widely used in industrial and strenuous applications. Because of its desirable strength and light weight, carbon fibres can be expensive. It is used in the following applications: * Automotive (including Formula One racing); * Sailboats; * Rowing boats; * Bicycles; * Motorcycles; * Fishing rods; * Hockey sticks; * Archery equipment; * Tent poles; * Racquet frames; * Helmets.
Picture 1: Sanding a carbon fibre surface
When analyzing dust-related occupational diseases, both chemical and physical factors must be taken into account.
Carbon fibres can cause discomfort to employees if the fibres make contact with an employee’s eyes, skin, nose or throat. Carbon fibres are not a known carcinogen (see appendix A – MSDS).
The health effects of carbon fibres depend on three factors (Seibert, 1990): 1. The quantity of fibre that is deposited in the lungs; 2. The dimension of the carbon fibres; 3. The amount of time that the carbon fibres spend in the lungs.
References: Christensson, B., Krantz, S. & Andersson, C.-H., 1999. Occupational health aspects and regulations on airborne fibrous and non-fibrous dust. National Institute for Working Life. Costa, R. & Orriols, R., 2012. Man-Made Mineral Fibers and the Respiratory Tract. Arch Bronconeumol, 48(12). European Commission, 1997. European Commission Directive, L349: s.n. Health and Safety Executive, 2006. An Inventory of Fibres to Classify their Potential Hazard and Risk, Norwich: Crown. Seibert, J. F., 1990. Composite Fiber Hazards, Texas: AF Occupational and Environmental Health Laboratory. Thomson, S. A., Hilaski, R. J. & Wright, R., 1990. Nonrespirability of Carbon Fibers in Rats from Repeated Inhalation Exposure, Ohio: Armstrong Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory. United States Department of Transportation, 1998. Health Hazards of Combustion Products From Aircraft Composite Materials, Washington: Office of Aviation Research. Zhang, Z., 2001. The Effects of Carbon Fibre and Carbon Fibre Composite Dusts on Bronchoalveolar Lavage Component of Rats. Journal of Occupational Health, 43(75-79).