Hi gang! My DH and I have been in the sign business for over 13 years and have done screen printing since the beginning. We screen enamel, vinyl, and corogloss ink. Does anyone else worry about the fumes of the inks and solvents? We ventilate with an exhaust fan after screening, during cleanup, but there is still alot of fumes. We are concerned about the long term effects and even considering looking into closing the shop and starting something else. Are we just being paranoid? Thanks, Susan
Posted by Dale Manor (Member # 4858) on :
Hi Susan,,
I did screen printing for nearly seven years and remember reading some of the Material Safety Data Sheets on the stuff we were printing with.
I believe they mentioned things like "Upper Level Memory Loss", "Central Nervous Disorders", "Depression", as a possible result of long term exposure to these chemicals.
I would refer to the MSDS sheets to see exactly what specific dangers the types of inks and especially the cleaning solvents are causing. Also check out what personal protection equipment is recommended for your solvent types.
Posted by W. R. Pickett (Member # 3842) on :
...Not paranoid at all. ANY exposure to fumes (or any synthetic chemical) does real damage. Herbicides and pesticides are the worst.
... Obviously, the best policy is to minimize exposure to anything toxic. (except beer and coffee though!) It's too late to save me, I've already been polluted.
Posted by Bob Kistler (Member # 4049) on :
Fumes is one of the main reasons we investigated UV 20 some years ago. About 85% of what we do now is UV. Though there are still a lot of items that can't be printed this way we try to wherever we can. The enamels have a lot of heavy aromatic thinners that your system can't handle well and vinyls and others involve a lot of keytones that are nasty to the system. We've tried everything and there are some products you just can't get out without some strong solvents so ventilate as best as you possibly can. And eliminate as much as you can.
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
I worked with a printer (that I hired because I didn't want to deal with the fumes & the mess anymore) who had been diagnosed with chemical pnuemonia. He told me a little about it & it doesn't sound fun. He actually only printed one big job for me while he was getting situated into other employment opportunities. He will never be able to handle exposure to fumes like that for any extended period.
After I got my edge, I was able to gradually phase out 95% of my printing. I just print copy on small high end architectural plaques now (& I usually sub out that as well). No more screen printing of large decal runs, or signs. I finally realized I was not going back & remodeled my shop to take advantage of all the space formally allocated to darkroom, ink storage & the toxic print area... now I have lots more clean air conditioned office space. I really enjoy my healthier work environment, & my business is more profitable as well.
[ October 25, 2004, 04:54 PM: Message edited by: Doug Allan ]
Posted by Rovelle W. Gratz (Member # 4404) on :
I have worked around screen printing ink fumes for a long time, but can't remember if there is a danger of long term memory loss.
I was going to post some warnings here, but can't remember what they were.
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
I've been using vinyl inks for airbrushing the past 5 years and soon will be diving into screenprinting test runs and short orders, but luckily I don't have to spend much time around the stuff.
Maybe a fresh air hood used for spraying cars would solve any issues, albeit uncomfortable to wear while printing.
Posted by Myra Grozinger (Member # 327) on :
Rovelle said it just right, I second everything she said, I'm older than she is and can therefore give this little phenomenon of not remembering more depth and credibility.
Who am I, and why am I here? --------------------------------------
Now - getting real! I screen printed for more than two decades. Mostly with poor if no ventilation adjustments. If you think you are affected physically, you are correct. If you are in a setup that does not really clean your environment, like in my case a small basement with only one exhaust fan, if you screen print every day, and use vinyl inks especially, or lacquers, or enamels, your brain, your lungs, your body in general, are all under attack.
How long you can stand it has to do with the strength of your genes. Variances apply. But yes, it is dangerous.
I might have stopped it in time, I very rarely screen print now. It is worth to consider to only do it with the ultimate protection in place for your lungs.
Posted by Michael Clanton (Member # 2419) on :
We screenprint t-shirts- the fumes aren't too bad, but add the spray adhesive, mineral spirits, and the fumes from the dryer- It does get to you after awhile.
Several months ago, I built a giant "brain" out of expanding foam. the finished product was about 4 ft. in diameter and used a large amount of foam. I wore a mask and a respirator, but the fumes still caused a severe chemical burn to my broncial tubes. It was not something I want to go thru again, ever! I now try to be more carefull around that kind of stuff.
Posted by jimmy chatham (Member # 525) on :
some of the cans says that it will cause permanent brain & nervous system damage.
it has not efected effected me.
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
LOL Rove!! Myra!! Jimmy!!
Gee Susan, I feel that paranoia has definitely and quite slowly set in . . . . I mean, after 13 years to suddenly start wondering about this.... do you suppose there is a delayed or slow-reaction syndrom type sympton we need to be lookin' into???
Makes you look forward to tommorrow just to see what you'll remember to think of next, don't it . . . Posted by Gene Golden (Member # 3934) on :
Sheila, I see you stopped proof-reading
Sorry. Anyway... There is an air purifying system by EcoQuest that may help eliminate some of the airborne problems. I was told that it works for fumes, but I don't use it in the shop, I have it in the house. Not a cheap solution, but a possible one.
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