>the room where the Macs are, where I would be working, has no windows.

Could try bootcamp ;-)

Seriously why work on-site?

Because it’s required if I’m to work for them at all.

Their attitude towards their employees appears to be stuck in 1880 too - walk, and let some other mug get sick.

Thanks, but do you think I’d be considering this gig if there were other options at the moment?

You should probably contact one of the printer’s unions about this.

...or the press.

It’s not a union shop and the media would take no interest. This is the second shop of the general type I’ve tried out at this month. Both had old, busy presses running, both had small Mac departments stuck in dark rooms with no ventilation. It’s so standard as to be unremarkable.

I still don’t know about the statistical health hazards of the trade.

just found this on an Eco-Friendly printer’s site. Maybe it will provide some insight into what they’re doing health and ecologically - wise that maybe other printers aren’t but should be implementing for their staff;

“We use an inert water based protective coating sealant on our products which is an eco-friendly alternative to polymer based coatings, “litho seal” and plastic laminates.

We run IPA - isopropyl alcohol - free on our printing presses, as opposed to the industry average of 8%.

Our inks are vegetable oil based - specifically linseed oil - as opposed to mineral oil.

The removal of IPA alcohol and use of vegetable ink has virtually eliminated our emissions of VOC’s - Volatile Organic Compounds - into the atmosphere. These VOC’s are a major source of ozone pollution and are a potential a health hazard to our staff.

We promote full colour printing which uses significantly less chemicals, solvents and paper in job setup and press cleaning than traditional one or two colour printing.

We offer quality Digital Print solutions when appropriate to the job.”

JH

Work in a respirator mask.

It’s not a union shop…

My point was that the unions probably have the information that you’re looking for, not that they’ll do something about your working environment.

elzadra

I doubt there is any risk. Probably less than sitting in front of a computer monitor all day or putting a cell phone to your head. Smells aren’t toxic, fumes are. If the print shop takes care to keep its solvents in safety cans, that’s pretty much it. And that is only to prevent fire. Most solvents used today are fairly non-hazardess. And most printers seem to live an awfully long time.

That green stuff that jazzhustler put up is standard media greenwash.

Gerald

From a quick Google search:

“Press operators and other workers in printing establishments are exposed to airborne solvent vapors generated when the press is cleaned. Press-cleaning solutions are generally a mixture of chemicals that include various solvents, some of which are carcinogens. Adverse health effects from inhalation or skin contact include dermatitis, headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, respiratory failure, central nervous system depression, coughing, difficult breathing, chest pains, unconsciousness, and death. Chronic effects may include kidney and liver damage. Many press operators in small print shops have excessive exposures because these shops frequently have inadequate ventilation or other controls for the vapors.”

“In printing and related industries, a variety of chemicals — including alcohols, glues, inks, dyes, cleaners, ammonia, lead, formaldehyde, paper dusts, and many types of solvents — can be found. Employee exposures to chemicals have been shown to be higher when associated with press wash-up tasks, use of isopropanol, using poor or improper work practices, and inadequate or improper use of ventilation systems. Workers should close containers for blanket wash, alcohol, or used shop towels. Recirculating pressroom air may save on heating or cooling costs; but it also increases concentrations of chemical contaminants in the air that workers breathe.”

I don’t think you are going to die, to go straight to the point. If you consider that you could die when crossing the street, walking in on you local nacdonald’s &c. Solvents and inks smell but the smell don’t hurt. I guess that if you are 25 yards away from the most pollutant machine they have there you are safe. You should have seen silk screen inks from the seventies.
There is a folklore among old printer guys in my old country that the best protection you can get is by drinking a lot of milk, or BRANDY as some others believed. Good luck.

“Mithradites, he died old.” —A. E. Housman

Gerald

Then again, the gene pool just ain’t what it used to be.

Then again, the gene pool just ain’t what it used to be.

Thanks to all yous huffers.

Just don’t chew on the leading.

Sounds like your ambivalence is showing. I worked in a stinky print shop for a couple of years. My mom called OSHA on the sly and had the place inspected. Turned out it was just stinky, not toxic.

I have a small print shop (12’x20’) with 2 Vandercooks, and I’m fairly conscious of the solvent vapours when I’m cleaning the presses. Generally speaking I take the rollers outside and set them on a work-bench I’ve rigged up to hold them during cleaning, and when I’m really on the ball I wear my respirator (I’m not on the ball all that often). When I have to clean the rollers & press inside, I leave the door open and turn on a ceiling fan, and I’m more conscious of wearing the respirator then. I have to admit, though, that this is more to avoid the dizzyness & headache I sometimes get without the respirator, rather than concern about long-term effects.

The thing is, this is only when I’m 2 feet from the solvent and it’s splashing around and turning to vapour right in front of me. Other than this, what I get is the smell of ink and solvent, and, quite frankly, I love that smell.

Besides, I smoke, so this stuff is the least of my problem.

Thanks for all comments. Given recent economic news I think better to hang onto a job than not. Plus, the city air smells like roses after being in there all day.

Elzadra: Please take with a grain of salt the ill-informed, sassy comments posted here.

The thing is, only each individual can assess her or his health needs. If you are at all concerned about the health implications of your employment, then all your questions are valid.

Conditions in many printing and design shops can indeed be hazardous. Not perhaps to me, not perhaps to bieler. But they may be to you, and no one should dissuade you with flippant comments from your concerns. Each of us has different tolerances for solvents and air quality. It may sound flippant in a different way, but keep in mind that one of our main responsibilities is to take care of our own health in this nasty world. Employers won’t, unions won’t, government won’t.

I have worked in a wide variety of printing & design shops for 40 years. Some people thrive in toxic conditions. Others succumb rapidly to what may seem to be only moderately malignant conditions. There is just no way to know what will get to whom when. I hope you can resolve this to your satisfaction.

& given the state of the economy these days, it is just irresponsible to say such things as “why work on-site?” or “walk, and let some other mug get sick.” That set of comments shows a poor understanding of the reality of work. Sure, some folks get to work off-site. But that is a dream more than a reality in the work world of 2008. & Sure, some folks are willing to let others take the fall; that just ain’t a responsible attitude.

Good luck; stay healthy. Keep your eyes open for a better job.

powers

Thank you, will powers. I will bear in mind what you have said. It’s true that in the end one can only consult one’s own responses to decide whether a situation is tolerable or not.