 You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Just recently I realised my job as a self employed soft furnisher (mainly making curtains and Roman blinds) is making me ill, mostly coughing.
After a bit of recent research, it turns out the 'blackout linings' I use contain VOC. These chemicals are not supposed to be breathed in. But the very act of cutting and sewing up this fabric is unhealthy.
Advice is to wash the fabric before use and not be too near, this is not possible. I've tried working in a mask, also with windows open, even in winter which is not ideal.
Does anyone know how unsafe these chemicals are after years and years of working in close proximity, also in a small space? Thanks
Depends on what compounds really, but they can get quite bad, i've worked in a couple of sites using them, massive extraction systems and people who work in there long term need to wear proper masks with replaceable filters etc.
It's been a few years since i've done it, so i can't see the regulations getting less strict!
You are right to be concerned. I've worked with small amounts of VOC's in small unsuitable spaces for 30 years, and have learned to be constantly mindful of risk assessing the air quality, it's all about concentration within air volume. In 'containing' VOC's though - there is a huge difference between the off-gassing of a dried fabric which is a minimal concern, and exposure to VOC's from solvents evaporating during a manufacturing process. When working with solvents air exchange is key, fresh air in- push air out, you want to be able to feel a breeze in your immediate workspace, if you can't then you should probably wear a mask (especially if particulate from cutting fabrics is a concern) - always prioritise this over being warm. I work with solvents that are as low VOC as possible, but in a way this makes assessing solvent content in the air harder as it is odourless. Generally if it smells pungent you don't want to be breathing it in, which is a good general rule. You really need to see the MSDS data sheets for the fabrics used and risk assess the exact components you're being exposed to as there's a huge range even in solvents.
Could dust be a factor? I would imagine there'd be fine dust being produced when cutting, sewing etc and also on the fabrics themselves
Does anyone know how unsafe these chemicals are after years and years of working in close proximity, also in a small space?
Ask the suppler for a Safety Data Sheet for the material - that'll list anything / everything thats in it and outline what active compounds are in it. The data sheet isnt a risk assessment - it outlines what's potentially harmful but you have to interpret it as to what level of risk that creates and what a sensible measure to counter that is. The data sheet will outline things that sound scary but theres wide range of risk relative to exposure - Everything is harmful to some degree - is some contexts you'd need to COSHH assessments for water as if you're up to your neck in everyday its not going to do your skin much good. The data sheet describes potential - not likelihood. So just becuase there are VOC's its doesnt mean theres enough of them present to cause real concern - it would be different if you were in the factory that manufactures them for instance to there being traces on the fabric post-sale
VOC' s are by their nature volatile so any product with VOC used during the manufacture, (such as adhesives, dyes, or coatings) will be a potential risk to the operatives at that stage and will be covered under the employers duties under the the COSHH Regulations 2002 (as amended), rather than still being an issue for the consumer or downstream user, otherwise the material/fabric itself would have to carry a hazardous material label and be classified under REACH.
actually having just looked into it, don't panic there is a lot of stuff on the web, which is utter bunkum. You will not be getting and significant VOC exposure from the synthetic fabrics used in the manufacture of blackout curtains. You get more VOC exposure from the use of perfume, air freshener, anything the smells lemony or piney in the house deodorants, bbq etc...
if your job involves the use of adhesive than that is a possible source of VOC, but coughing/respiratory irritation is more often associated with particulate or fibre exposure. VOC exposure is most likely to present as narcosis, headaches, eye irritation, or skin rash in the case of dermal exposures.
Substances hazardous to health are given Workplace Exposure Limits by the HSE provided in their Document EH40, which give 8-hour TWA and 15 STEL limits that are derived based on the long term epidemiology and current scientific knowledge, etc..
the likelihood of you exceeding an 8-hour TWA for any speciated VOC from working with pre manufactured synthetic materials is exceedingly low.
if you are concerned about reduction of lung function from exposure to textile dusts and fibres your first stop should be your GP who may refer you for spirometry (lung function tests)
if you want a proper chat drop me a message, more than happy to talk you though it all and help put your mind at rest
Taz - Occupational hygiene and health and safety specialist for nearly 30 years
Have you got any air quality sensor in your work area?
I know little on the topic but know we have a lot of these at our sites which measure the air quality (whole bunch of factors) in different rooms and areas. All fed back to a nice map and alarm system which warns if there is increased risk.
Just wondering if there is a similar device you can stick in your work area to get some data.
Everything Tazzy said +1
I'd just add that "VOC" is a very broad definition, you probably get exposed to more VOC filling your car with fuel than you do handling fabrics. That's not to say they're different chemicals and one isn't more or less toxic than the other. When cooking a lot of the olive oil in the pan will evaporate, yet we don't consider it a problem for example.
And bear in mind that there's quantities involved too. A plasticizer used to make a fabric supple rather than rigid might have some horrible effects if ingested which will be mentioned on the datasheet. However that may require ingesting significant amounts, where the reality is a tiny amount exists, diluted into huge amounts of fabric, of which then only a very small amount evaporates. So a chemical may be a respiratory irritant when present in an oil drum at the factory, but that doesn't make us all cough just because it's been used in our curtains.
You can though develop a sensitivity to specific chemicals and it varies from person to person. I used to work in a lab where my predecessor left as the solvent used gave them a serious headache. I rebuilt the labs extraction system so it worked better, moved workstations around so I wasn't spending so much time in any proximity to it, etc and never had a problem.
I'd concur that dust/particulates are potentially a cause.
Without knowing the mask, I'd suggest it's not going to work against VOC's. That requires carbon canisters (think, Breaking Bad), particulate masks like we wore during the pandemic won't stop any vapors.
The mantra to remember is "dilution is the solution to pollution". Good airflow will solve almost any problem.
Just found this..
Say it tracks particulate matter (PM 2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), humidity and temperature.
Maybe would help identify if its particles or VOCs
1. in my experience VOC's in the sort of quantities you are likely to get from off-gassing fabric don't usually make you cough. They might, and they certainly aren't good for you, but coughing could be symptomatic of something else so I would see if there could be any other cause. (Thats a broad brush - VOC's are a very wide family of chemicals and I am sure some can induce coughing).
2. the starting point with nasty chemicals is can you substitute it. E.g. is there another supplier of blackout fabric who are less nasty? It feels like your clients would prefer not to to have stinky blinds too.
3. masks are pretty horrible to work in, but the correct mask, properly fitted should be solving the respiratory effects. If its not, then is it the right mask? is it fitted correctly? or see point 1. Of course that doesn't mean you cant get exposure through skin etc - but that is even less likely to cause coughing.
4. can you wash the fabric first - I'd much rather wear a respirator for 5 mins to load a washing machine than for hours cutting and sewing. Or is it viable to hang the fabric outside in the fresh air/sun (not great for the environment - but that will be a fraction of the VOCs produced from making the fabric).
Your exposure sounds minimal but you can become sensitized to substances. I'd be more inclined to think dust from cutting fabric is the culprit but you'd have to get tested to find out. Keeping your work area well ventilated will help, consider extraction for where youre cutting fabric.
A.N. Other safety professional
Re: masks you'd be looking at activated charcoal/positive pressure hoods for VOCs (theyre very small and very light, hence volatile) filtration maks would protect you against dust and spray but not VOC's
Better to eliminate the problem with ventilation than rely on PPE
Does anyone know how unsafe these chemicals are after years and years of working in close proximity, also in a small space? Thanks
As others have said, VOC is a very broad spectrum. You certainly get far more off paint, bike cleaning solvents etc than you do off fabric but you can become sensitive to certain compounds on long enough exposure.
I'd say it's more likely to be dust and microfibre related than solvent/VOC related.
Ideal world, you'd be working in a ventilation cupboard but you'd need a huge installation to accommodate curtain fabric. You could try rigging up a hoover with the hose attachment above your workstation but then you just replace the dust issue with a noise issue...
One of my first projects as a chemical engineer was to reduce VOCs in paint.
On a practical note, engineering controls are better than PPE (especially incorrect PPE).
Work in a well ventilated spot with a fan or two behind you pushing anything away in front of you, will need that air a place to go to without recirculating back to you (can be an issue to do right).
Could also be something completely unrelated to the blackout cloth but the timings coincided so keep thinking about other links too.
I worked with them for 35 years ,long before PPE.
Hopefully I've dodged a bloody big bullet...however I'm really sensitive to certain chemicals. Cheap candles and some cleaning products can literally put me on the floor not knowing what my name is.
One holiday we had to stay in a premier Inn while the house was fully aired.
I work with some VOCs and to stop them irritating me, I usually mute them on Teams. HTH.
Extraction is the key look on line for weed growing shops I got my extraction for my garage from them as they have sealed moters so no sparking and petroleum vapors
Thank you for all the great informative answers.
Yes the blackout lining fabric does give off a chemical smell. No it would be totally impractical to wash a 50 metre bolt, hang it out to dry and sew it.
I too can't have any candles, sprays or air fresheners in the house. Most of our cleaning products are natural too, eg. ecover.
On an Alps trip in January (fortnight) my cough disappeared and came back as soon as I was back at work.
Dust in my job is just something I have to put up with, but these blackout linings produce a fine powder which coats everything and in recent years customers want this product more than ever now, as it helps with insulation as well as keeping light out.
Work in a well ventilated spot with a fan or two behind you pushing anything away in front of you, will need that air a place to go to without recirculating back to you (can be an issue to do right).
This seems like a relatively simple option. I've got a desk fan you can borrow to try if you like.
Thanks Nettles. I'll have a think, but hopefully the new velux windows that blow a hoolie (we're on the side of a hill), will hopefully push air through the workroom to the small window at the other end.
Dust in my job is just something I have to put up with
It absolutely isnt something somthing you have to put up with and is something you should definitely prioritise over any smells from the fabric. The dust is by far the bigger deal (and even if you care about any VOCs more - the dust is the same material and is made of the same stuff so eliminating the dust eliminates them too) Â Get an air-scrubber to circulate and filter the air in the room - place it somewhere so it's drawing the air away from you where you're working rather than pulling dusty air past you.
yeah, this. Something like this from Axminster maybe is better than nothing, and not expensive. Either extract to outside and/or with a filter.It absolutely isnt something somthing you have to put up with and is something you should definitely prioritise over any smells from the fabric.
https://www.axminstertools.com/machinery/dust-extractors/air-filters
It would be uncomfortable but a dust mask would work too. I'd try and find a way of setting up some extraction. IT may be possible to use the type that you find in wood work?
It's not something you should put up with. Long term exposure to some dusts can be detrimental to health.