Dangerous Isocyanates In Car Workshops Removed With New Point Extractor

It has long been known that isocyanates are dangerous and cause asthma, lung disease, and hypersensitivity. During recent years it has been shown by various researchers and authorities that particularly in car workshops exposure too isocyanates often exceeds safety limits.
"We haven't fully understood the consequences of exposure. Isocyanates are found in more places within the working environment than we believed from the beginning," says Marianne Dalene, senior lecturer in working environment chemistry at Lund University.
For example isocyanates are found where car windscreens are replaced. When a damaged windscreen is replaced, the old one must first be removed. This is achieved with the aid of a special blade or cable. This tool vibrates and, via the friction-generated heat, old glue and paint begin to smoke and release fumes and gases.
"A cable is a better option than a blade, but we are not sure whether this avoids the heat and gases," says Dalene.

When the new windscreen is fitted into place, a plastic tube is used to spread the glue. During use and while hardening, this glue releases isocyanates.
A special investigative campaign run by the Swedish Work Environment Inspectorate has resulted in fines being levied upon 15 car workshops in the Stockholm area. The Inspectorate recommends enclosed spaces in the form of environmental rooms, for example where one works replacing windscreens.
But now there is an easier solution. The environmental company AB Ph. Nederman & Co in Helsingborg Sweden, have designed a new point extractor intended to remove precisely the gases and fumes created when replacing windscreens.
The specially designed windscreen heads are fitted to conventional extractor arms, which in turn are connected to a ventilation system or an individual fan. The heads, which are shaped like windscreens, transport the dangerous gases through a 'slit opening' that traces the edge of the windscreen.
This special extractor is unlike most common extractor units, which take care of welding fumes, and is the only extractor for this purpose available in the market today.
"Our speciality is removing air pollutants at source before they reach the working environment. The point extractor ought to remain on the windscreen until the glue has hardened. This takes between three and four hours," explains Aurel Stan, Business Area Manager at Nederman.
"There is no reason to use enclosed areas when one can use this specially designed tool instead," he continues.

Company Information:
AB Ph Nederman & Co develop products for removing smoke, dust, aerosols and other unhealthy particles, and equipment for screening damaging and disturbing light and reducing noise pollution. The company has a turnover of SEK 800 million, twelve sales companies and over 70 partners globally with an associated network of almost 6,000 local distributors. Exports account for more than 90 percent of sales.

For further information, please contact:
Aurel Stan, Business Area Manager
AB Ph. Nederman & Co
Sydhamngatan 2
S-252 28 Helsingborg
SWEDEN
Tel: +46-(0)42 18 87 00
Fax: +46-(0)42 20 89 58
E-mail: aurel.stan@nederman.se
Website: www.nederman.com