PRECESSION ELEPHANT 2 Scan Head 2
2.4 General risks
2.4.1 Laser generated air contaminants
WARNING
Hazardous material is emitted during laser materials processing
Health hazard
•
Always provide an adequate exhaustion and subsequent proper disposal of these
hazardous materials.
In laser material processing matter will be evaporated when laser beams interact with
matter.
Laser Generated Air Contaminants, abbreviated LGAC can compose of multitude
hazardous products, such as nickel, chrome, alumina, zinc, butanol, toluol, xylene and
formaldehyde. The concentration and the quantity of these aerosols and particles are
variable in a wide range.
These LGAC could be hazardous to humans even if they will be respired in lowest
concentrations over a long time and can cause sickness, vomiting, cauterization of the
respiratory tract, nervous diseases, allergic reactions, spasms and cancer. Even skin
contact can cause in hazardous skin irritations and contact eczema.
Because of these risks in all laser thermal processes the LGAC should be complete
exhausted by adequate exhaust ventilation with a high air throughput and special
paper or active carbon filters.
The customer respectively user of the material processing laser is responsible for the
safe exhausting of the LGAC and the right disposal in accordance with local, state and
regional threshold limit values for chemical substances. If there are any doubts, these
aspects have to be discussed with the relevant authorities and, if necessary,
a contaminant measurement can be carried out.
Be sure that all generated fumes, dust and particles will be completely exhausted, even
if only a little amount of material shall be processed, or in case of short time laser
material processing.
The following safety information has to be taken into account for safe handling of
LGAC in laser material processing:
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