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Revised version February 2000 Safe Handling Advice Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) is a generic name for physical blends or chemical cross-linked blends of bitumen and different types of polymers. The polymers typically belong to the group of elastomers or plastomers, but may include thermosetting polymers. In some cases the compatibility between bitumen and polymers is enhanced by addition of fluxes. The products may also contain a range of non-polymeric additives. The composition of PMB's is complex and variable and is generally considered to be proprietary information. For the purpose of road construction the polymer content of the binders is mainly below 10%. For roofing application blends with polymer contents between 10 and 40% are in use for several years. The main aim of the addition of polymers is to change the rheological behaviour of the bitumen towards a lower temperature susceptibility. Currently over one million tonnes of modified bitumen is annually produced worldwide. In the past some workers complained of the acute adverse health effects (irritatio) e.g. difficulty in breathing, dizziness, nausea and/or headaches. This was normally related to poorly formulated products and/or too high application temperatures. To keep occupational health risks to a minimum during the application of polymer modified bitumen, a Material Safety Data Sheet for the product should always be supplied, regardless of legal obligation, and the user should comply with the instructions contained therein. Under these conditions no increased risk to health or environment should occur. Comparative studies between emissions from standard paving grades and SBS-modified bitumen confirmed that under correct working conditions there was no significant increase or differences in fume formation. In addition to the specific advice available from the suppliers on handling their products general "good working practices" should be adopted: •work at the lowest operating temperature commensurate with good handling and compaction; •minimise exposure to "fumes" by ensuring good temperature control and ventilation of the workplace. Literature: THE COMPOSITION AND MEASUREMENT OF BITUMEN VAPOURS AND FUMES HEIKKILÄ PIRJO 1, HÄMEILÄ MERVI 2, PFÄFFLI PIRKKO 2 AND RIALA RIITTA Eurasphalt & Eurobitume Congress 1996
EXPOSURE TO AND EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS FROM BITUMEN PRODUCTS AMONG ROAD PAVERS RIALA RIITTA (M.Sc. Eng.)1, HEIKKILÄ PIRJO (Phil. Lic.)1, HÄMEILÄ MERVI (M.Sc.)2, PFÄFFLI PIRKKO Eurasphalt & Eurobitume Congress 1996
FUMES EMITTED FROM KRATON D SBS-MODIFIED BITUMENS UNDER APPLICATIONAL CONDITIONS - A LABORATORY STUDY BRANDT HENK* and DE GROOT PAUL** Koninklijke Shell-Laboratorium, Amsterdam (Shell Research B.V.), The Netherlands Eurasphalt & Eurobitume Congress 1996
ARBEITSPLATZUNTERSUCHUNGEN BEI VERLEGUNG VON BITUMENBAHNEN Untersuchung des Klinikums der Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen für
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