The rubber industry handles a diversity of ingredients, many of which are mixtures, and initiates chemical changes in the course of its operations. In coming to terms with hazards, the industry has therefore to take account of the ingredients, their impurities and the by-products of reaction. It has already faced concerns over potent carcinogens, such as -napthylamine and nitrosamines, and seen changes in materials usage and work practice as a consequence. It continues to meet new concerns, as its materials and operations face increasing scrutiny.

The industries usage of carbon black, silica and solvents are all of current concern, as is the need for a greater understanding of workplace fume and its constituents. Where workplace exposures are the highest, and where worker health is most at risk, are issues which need to be drawn together. These matters were addressed at this important two-day conference.

List of Papers

The health effects of carbon black
Kerry Gardiner, Institute of Occupational Health, UK

Occupational health research in the carbon black industry
Robert J. McCunney, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA

Classification and standard-setting issues in the UK, EU and elsewhere for chemical substances
Len Levy, MRC Institute for Environment and Health, University of Leicester, UK

Silica dusts
Yves Bomal, Rhodia, France

Neurobehavioural effects of solvents
Anne Spurgeon, Institute of Occupational Health, University of Birmingham, UK

Toxic amines and isothiocyanates formed during accelerated vulcanisation
Hans-Jurgen Kretzschmar, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Germany

The rationalisation and prediction of the components of rubber fume
Bryan Willoughby, Rapra Technology, UK

Exposure visualisation of rubber fume using real time monitoring and video
Peter Walsh, Health and Safety Laboratory, UK

Sampling and analysis of emissions in the rubber industry
Ulrich Giese, German Rubber Institute for Technology, Germany

Respiratory and malignant diseases in Swedish rubber workers - experiences from clinical investigations
Margareta Littorin, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sweden

Biological monitoring; New developments
John Cocker, Health and Safety Laboratory

Epidemiology in the rubber industry
Tom Sorahan, Institute of Occupational Health, University of Birmingham, UK

Results of the retrospective cohort study in the German rubber industry
Kurt Straif, Institute of Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Munster, Germany

The effect of control measures in the rubber manufacturing industry - the results of a nine year follow-up
Hans Kromhout, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands

Cleaning up your act
Bob Yarwood, Chronos Richardson, UK

Dust and fume control in the tyre industry
Chris Hammond, Michelin UK Group, UK

Nitrosamine control at source
Keith Scott, Rapra Technology, UK

So, you think you are protected
Robin Howie, Independent Consultant, UK