• Project number: F 2134
• Institution: Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)
• Status: Completed Project

Description:

Large amounts of used paper materials are recycled today. In 2003 paper producing enterprises in Germany used about 12.4 mio tons of recycling material. The corresponding recycling rate is about 65 %. In connection with an expected yearly increase of 3 % the economic importance of this branch is clearly shown. During recycling used paper materials undergo several mechanical and chemical processes, e. g. sorting, dissolution and cleaning. For the production of high quality paper for printing industry deinking is necessary. Mainly, exposure of workers is expected during sorting works, especially by dust and biological agents.

The aim of this project is to describe the technology and protective measures during recycling of paper materials. To assess workers' exposure to dust and biological agents workplace measurements will be performed. Additionally, dermal exposure is described using a questionnaire.