Hazards of Inks Used In
Home Printing Businesses

This article is designed to show businesses how to make money by offering promotional products to their customers and also to help those already selling promotional products to be more effective.

There are a number of companies promoting business opportunities that require industrial printing inks and solvents to be used in a home environment. Though these chemicals are safe when used properly in industrial environments, these printing inks and solvents are not intended for use in home printing businesses because of safety, ventilation and disposal reasons.

This report summarizes in plain English the 6 primary areas to watch out for that are defined in more technical terms on documents called MSDS or Material Safety Data Sheets. These documents are required by the government so that commercial and home printing businesses purchasing these chemicals are warned on how to handle them, what the hazards are, and what first aid procedures need to be taken if they touch your skin, if you inhale the vapors, or they get in your eyes.

All these inks will cause permanent stains on clothing, carpets and even floors.

All comments in italics are direct quotes from the MSDS sheets. For the details on any specific ink or solvent, demand the MSDS sheets on each chemical BEFORE you sign any contract. The following information is a general compilation of what is on the 3 MSDS sheets referenced at the bottom of this report. Go to the web sites for the complete documents.

Types of Inks

For screen printing on fabric, the most commonly used systems are Plastisol inks. They are essentially plastic that is melted during the curing process and emits toxic fumes. The solvents used to clean them up after printing are also toxic.

For pad printing, the inks and solvents required to allow the ink to adhere to the materials printed are also toxic and some of the ingredients can even be carcinogenic. Here are the sections to pay close attention to on these MSDS sheets:

Though the plastisol ink MSDS we checked did not have any hazardous ingredients listed, the two pad printing inks had 5 and 6 hazardous ingredients respectively. Some of them are even considered cancer-causing by OSHA.

Both the pad printing and plastisol inks are considered to be combustible liquids classes II or III by the US Department of Transportation and OSHA and as such must be handled and transported in accordance to their regulations. When burning, these inks can emit dangerous fumes, such as carbon monoxide and others.

Solvents are even more combustible than the inks and the safe handling of them depends on the individual solvent.

OSHA standards for the industrial workplace are enforced and strict penalties exist for violations. It is highly unlikely any home printing business environment could be set up properly to have the necessary ventilation, first aid and safety equipment to meet these standards.

The MSDS sheets give warnings in multiple areas and also dictate the safety procedures to be followed. Warnings and symptoms of overexposure to watch out for on the MSDS sheets are drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, or skin irritation. Sales materials and videos from some business opportunity vendors show a clear disregard for the OSHA safety standards.

Skin Contact—"may cause skin irritation on repeated contact and absorption may occur through the skin. Avoid and minimize contact by maintaining high standards of industrial hygiene. AVOID CONTACT—Protective neoprene gloves must be worn.

Respiratory Contact—"Overexposure to high concentrations of vapor may cause respiratory tract irritation and may affect the brain or nervous system causing dizziness, headache, nausea, or narcosis. Local exhaust systems are preferred." (This means a ventilation hood or other such apparatus venting the area around the printing and curing units.)

Eye Contact—AVOID CONTACT . Safety Glasses Required.

Pre-existing Conditions— The MSDS says: "Medical conditions generally aggravated by overexposure: pre-existing eye, skin, respiratory, kidney and liver disorders." If you have any of these conditions, these inks and solvents will likely make them worse.

Eye Contact—"Flush with large quantities of water for at least 15 minutes. Seek immediate medical assistance."

Skin Contact—"Wash immediately with large quantities of water and mild soap. If irritation or other effects persist, seek immediate medical attention."

Inhalation—"If breathing difficulties, dizziness, or lightheadedness occurs due to overexposure, remove person from exposure. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. If breathing stops, begin artificial respiration. Seek immediate medical aid."

Ingestion—"Contact a physician immediately."

Make sure you have the MSDS sheets on every ink or chemical you are using so you can give them to the physician!

Dispose of in accordance with all local, state and federal regulations. Do not put down sinks or toilets. Do not release untreated into the environment.

"FOR INDUSTRIAL USE ONLY. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN."

"Keep away from heat and open flame use only with adequate ventilation." See OSHA regulations (particularly OSHA 1910.106) for information on flammables and combustibles.

"Liquid may cause eye and skin irritation. Wash hands thoroughly after using."

"DO NOT USE UNTIL MANUFACTURERS PRECAUTIONS HAVE BEEN READ AND UNDERSTOOD."

Pad Printing Ink MSDS:
http://www.padprintmachinery.com/PLT4.cfm

Pad Printing Hardener:
http://www.padprintmachinery.com /PLT4.cfm

Plastisol Screen Printing Ink:
http://www.unionink.com/msds/mixo2msd.html

For More Information Contact:

Joe McVoy
Profitable Marketing Systems, LLC
1100 Nautilus Court
Lafayette, CO 80026
Web: www.ProfitableMarketingSystems.com
Email: Joe@ProfitableMarketingSystems.com
Phone: (720) 890-8760
Fax: (303) 604-6839

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© 2006 Profitable Marketing Systems, LLC