Why should my fiberglass fabrication operation reduce air pollution?

People who are exposed to toxic air pollutants at sufficient concentrations, for sufficient durations, may increase their chances of getting cancer or experiencing other serious health effects, such as reproductive problems, birth defects, and aggravated asthma.

Pollution prevention safeguards the health of your employees, customers, and families by using materials, processes, or practices that reduce or eliminate air pollution at the source. For example, covering solvent containers prevents vapors from impacting your employees.

Pollution prevention practices also save money on waste disposal, materials usage, and the cost of air pollution controls.

You may already be regulated by federal, state, local, or Tribal agencies and may already voluntarily implement pollution prevention practices. However, increasing pollution prevention efforts can further minimize impacts on human health and the environment.

Why should I be concerned about air pollution from my fiberglass fabrication operation?

• Fiberglass fabrication operations can produce emissions of toxic air pollutants, including styrene.
• The primary pollutant at most operations is styrene, which is present in resins and gel coats. A portion of the styrene evaporates during the curing process.
• Paints, thinners, solvents, and adhesives can release some toxic air pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOC). Chemicals in these substances can also react in the air to form ground-level ozone (smog), which has been linked to a number of respiratory effects.

How can I reduce air pollution from my fiberglass fabrication operation?

Improve Production System Design

• Switch from open to closed molds.
• Reduce time and waste by installing impregnator systems that combine resin and fiber application.
• Install resin rollers to eliminate waste and excessive resin use.
• Install vacuum-mold or infusion systems to eliminate air bubbles and improve product quality.
• Switch from manual operation to robotics. Robotic systems reduce production time and result in greater accuracy.
• Use computerized application technology to increase process efficiency.
• Switching production systems and investing in hardware and software for robotics and computer applications involves initial costs, but the payback period is generally less than 3 years.

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