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Chemicals used in the rubber industry
1ENVIRON Corporation, Washington, D.C.
The Science of the Total Environment
|January 1, 1991
Summary
This study examines rubber industry chemicals, focusing on their utility, production, and toxicology. It highlights increasing global use of elastomers and processing chemicals, with a look at exposure risks and epidemiology.
Area of Science:
- Industrial Chemistry
- Toxicology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- The rubber industry utilizes a wide array of chemicals and mixtures.
- Global demand for natural and synthetic elastomers, along with processing chemicals, is expected to rise.
- Understanding these substances is crucial due to potential health implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of major rubber processing chemicals and elastomer monomers.
- To analyze their utility, production trends, structural features, impurities, and toxicological profiles (carcinogenicity, genotoxicity).
- To assess specific exposure concerns and epidemiological data within the rubber industry.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and data synthesis on chemical properties and toxicology.
- Analysis of production and utilization trends for rubber chemicals and elastomers.
- Examination of occupational exposure pathways and epidemiological studies.
Main Results:
- Identified key rubber processing chemicals and elastomer monomers.
- Detailed their structural characteristics, common impurities, and toxicological data, particularly carcinogenicity and genotoxicity.
- Highlighted areas of significant occupational exposure and relevant epidemiological findings.
Conclusions:
- The increasing use of rubber chemicals necessitates a thorough understanding of their health impacts.
- Toxicological data, especially regarding carcinogenicity and genotoxicity, is critical for risk assessment.
- Further research into exposure mitigation and epidemiological surveillance is warranted for worker safety.