Health effects of dyes and chemicals used in Printing press

Process: Adhesive laminating 

Risk: Isocyanate prepolymers can cause an irritation of the airways and lungs leading to occupational asthma.

Process: Digital (ink-jet) printing

 Risk: Carbon present in black ink can cause lung irritation. Methyl ethyl ketone and propanol can cause abnormal heart rhythm and rate and can affect the liver and kidneys on long term exposure.

Process: UV lamps for photo processing, UV curing and high speed printing – ink misting 

Risk: Acrylates and methcrylates in  fumes can cause irritation of respiratory tracts with the potential for occupational asthma as well as severe headaches and nausea.

Health Effects Of Chemicals Used In Printing

Process: Etching, Engraving, Platemaking, Photographic Reproduction 

Risk: Nitric, sulphuric and hydrofluoric acids can cause skin burns, eye damage and blisters.

Process: Concentrated photographic developer or fixer solutions 

Risk: Acidic salt solutions and Hydroquinone can irritate eyes and even cause dermatitis

Process: UV and infra red curable inks, varnishes and lacquers 

Risk: Reactive acrylates or methacrylate’s can cause corrosion of the skin, eyes and mucous membranes.

Process: Lithographic platemaking, Gravure cylinder preparation and photoengraving. 

Risk: Ammonium, potassium and sodium dichromate’s are all very corrosive and can cause deep ulcers as well as a risk of cancer.

Process: Lithographic fount solution, blanket restorers, cleaning solvents, Gravure and flexographic Risk: Alcohol, Esters and Ketones can cause dermatitis, dizziness and other effects of the central nervous system.

Process: Flexographic, Dyeline Printing and Screen Inks Risk: Perchloroethylene, Ammonium hydroxide and Ketones can cause dizziness, drowsiness and other effects on the central nervous system via inhalation.

Process: Screen Cleaning chemicals 

Risk: Strong alkalis such as concentrated sodium or potassium hydroxide, Oxidisers and sodium hypochlorite solvents can cause corrosion of the skin, eyes and mucous membrane as well as dizziness and drowsiness