Carbonless Paper
Potential Hazard
Carbonless paper is used every day for checks, credit-card receipts and medical forms. Tiny micro granules of dyes and resins are released when sheets are pressed together. The released chemicals can be absorbed through the skin or released into the air and inhaled resulting in mild to moderate symptoms of skin irritation and irritation of the mucosal membranes of the eyes and upper respiratory tract.
Symptoms include the following:
- headaches
- sinus infections
- bronchitis
- eye and skin irritations
- shortness of breath
- hives
- allergic contact dermatitis (rare)
Possible Solutions
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends, in most cases, good industrial hygiene and work practices should be adequate to reduce or eliminate symptoms, including:
- adequate ventilation, humidity, and temperature controls
- proper housekeeping
- minimal hand-to-mouth and hand-to-eye contact; and periodic cleansing of hands
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-7. Which of the following is a possible solution to reduce symptoms from carbonless paper?
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