UV printer rash

[Philip A]

I have to ask the question, how many people are affected by UV inks.

After acquiring a new to me Mimaki JFX 500 flatbed that held great promises speeding up our production times
I am totally gutted by the skin reaction I’ve had to the UV ink or process.

Itchy skin, blisters around eyes, even using extensive ppe and face visors any bare skin has a reaction,
Up to the point when driving was impossible
Which can take a week to diminish

I’ve been signmaking since 1980 with all types of materials, resins, solvents etc, never any reaction

Using genuine mimaki LUS 150 inks with a dedicated extraction system above the bed

Has anyone suffered similar? Or got any suggestions for third party inks that might be worth trying ?

Technically could it be airborne at printer or post printing cutting, stacking etc?

Or just a thought could there be a machine UV curing issue?

Thanks for your help

Phil

 

[Notarealsignguy]

I was always under the impression that the ground level ozone from UV ink curing was very bad for you but thought it was more of a respiratory issue. If there are isocyanates in the ink for some reason(I don't think there are) you can become sensitized to them and have problems even with small quantity exposure. You've been in the business a long time and been around many things, maybe this is the straw that broke the camels back?

I copied this from online:
Exposure to UV radiation, even limited, will cause acute, abnormal redness on normal skin. In certain people exposure to UV inks may result in skin sensitization – an allergic reaction that can manifest itself at any time in some people. For a sensitized person, further contact with the material concerned, even at very low doses, may cause a severe reaction. In most circumstances the condition is irreversible.

 

[SignMeUpGraphics]

Wow those sound like horrible reactions. I can't say that anyone in our workshop has had any reactions to UV in the 8 years we've had our Arizona.
I'm always using gloves during anything that requires direct handling of inks, but usually only mask up on longer print runs.
I do hope that you manage to work this out. Is it everyone in the workshop or just yourself?

 

[CanuckSigns]

We don't have a flatbed printer, but we have a monthly large job for flatbed printed ACM that we outsource, one of our employees breaks out in hives on her arms within minutes of handling the signs (we have to sort and pack them into boxes) so we no longer have her do this job. I assume some people are more sensitive to it, it's a shame you bought the machine only to find this out after!

Can you talk with your tech and see if there are other inks you can try?

 

[Philip A]

Thanks guys, it’s,great to have your thoughts... I have to keep trying to narrow down the various factors

could I be sensitised to UV inks and now I’m in trouble even with small doses?
Not an option I can live with yet!

So I’ve a choice of ink brand change ? Currently Mimaki, but I’m willing to change, I’ve check out different makes and their health data sheets are all scary and listing skin reactions, if you read them and are nervous you,d run a mile.

Get someone else to print?
Up to a point I can but at some stage I’ll be lifting or cutting printed sheets so still exposed if its post print reaction.

In the air?
Could it be airborne landing I’m skin, the more skin I hide the better, I’m thinking balaclava but it’s only two eyes poking out or a proper air fed filtered mask

Ventilation, currently we suck air off the bed about 2ft from the surface or should I be sucking at lower level?
The vacuum bed obviously sucks into the bed but it outputs at ground level, I may try to duct this out under a roller door.

Leave the print room, it’s hard not to watch the printer either in admiration of awesome prints or it’s. Lost a nozzle

Handling printed sheets I sense is part of my problem so I need to understand how the ink cures, what it gives off and are all inks the same?

UV ink, the jfx has led uv curing, could I be sensitve to a wavelength of stray uv as it flashes along the bed? I’m going to try orange sheet in my visor

It feels like I’ve been welding too much aluminium for days, steel is fine but aluminium is brighter.

Print room is white, sheets are white could this be UV radiation not ink?

Thanks again guys, I appreciate your help

Philip

 

[Johnny Best]

I would find a new line of work. Like a beekeeper and having anaphylaxis if you get stung.

 

[weyandsign]

You need this

 

[Inks]

Having sold UV inks since the 80's I have seen where some people become sensitized to UV inks.
You may be getting some residual ink on your skin from the prints that have not totally cross linked.
When washing your hands use soap that has absolutely no lanolin. Hope this helps, in many cases once sensitized you may need to stay clear of the print area.

 

[rjssigns]

I have to ask the question, how many people are affected by UV inks.

After acquiring a new to me Mimaki JFX 500 flatbed that held great promises speeding up our production times
I am totally gutted by the skin reaction I’ve had to the UV ink or process.

Itchy skin, blisters around eyes, even using extensive ppe and face visors any bare skin has a reaction,
Up to the point when driving was impossible
Which can take a week to diminish

I’ve been signmaking since 1980 with all types of materials, resins, solvents etc, never any reaction

Using genuine mimaki LUS 150 inks with a dedicated extraction system above the bed

Has anyone suffered similar? Or got any suggestions for third party inks that might be worth trying ?

Technically could it be airborne at printer or post printing cutting, stacking etc?

Or just a thought could there be a machine UV curing issue?

Thanks for your help

Phil

Thank you for letting us know about your issues. I'm going to keep an eye on things in the lab where we have a JFX200. So far I haven't had any UV ink related issues, but then I'm only doing a couple UV projects a semester.
One thing our lab has though is air exchange. IIRC it's about 5 - 6 times an hour but the flatbed still smells if you're near it. Maybe get an HVAC professional in your shop and have them recommend a system. Depending on your climate you will get either an HRV or ERV. It's worth a shot.

 

[James Burke]

Cool Fact: According to science, the "average human" is encased in 22 square feet of skin. Obviously some have less....some, a lot more.

Unless you're totally wrapped in Tyvek, PPE covers only a fraction of your dermal real estate.


JB

 

[rjssigns]

Cool Fact: According to science, the "average human" is encased in 22 square feet of skin. Obviously some have less....some, a lot more.

Unless you're totally wrapped in Tyvek, PPE covers only a fraction of your dermal real estate.


JB

Tyvek "shoot suits". I still wear them when I use auto paint. Miserable since you sweat like a butcher while wearing them but it's better than isocyanate exposure.

 

[jeffdpia]

FWIW
Open bed UV Flatbed printers create an huge invisible cloud of micro droplets as they work. They permeate the air and land on everything in the vicinity. Becoming sensitized to these or other chemicals by contact or inhalation is not uncommon globally.
Protect operators; Long sleeves and a respirator with organic cartridges installed if you're super sensitive or have respiratory issues. Move away from the printer when its in operation (usually not possible).

Eye protection ; If you can see UV light then you need eye protection. Glasses that use polycarbonate or similar plastics inherently block most of the UV rays. But you can get additional protection for yourself or others by using a UV shield google that fits over glasses easily. No one wants premature cataract formation from unnecessary additional UV exposure if its preventable.
Gloves when handling and finishing printed media (cotton or other) are highly suggested to prevent rashes and sensitization issues.
Dispose of cleanup rags and ink waste in sealed containers or take out trash daily.

I became sensitized to an acrylic glue used in a certain pressure sensitive laminate I was using once. As soon as I pulled a leader out to thread the laminator I got a roaring headache, no fun.
Fans and an organic vapor mask eliminated the issue in the short term. An lternate product eliminated it permanently.

 

[Philip A]

Spoke to a local company today that run two 500s side by side with no reactive issues and they kindly invited me to have a look their setup next week. That’ll be interesting.

Does anyone have any thoughts about the vacuum bed that exhausts directing under the bed surely this should be better exhausted outside and not circling the ink cocktail around the room.

Thanks again guys , I’ll keep you updated

 

[rjssigns]

Spoke to a local company today that run two 500s side by side with no reactive issues and they kindly invited me to have a look their setup next week. That’ll be interesting.

Does anyone have any thoughts about the vacuum bed that exhausts directing under the bed surely this should be better exhausted outside and not circling the ink cocktail around the room.

Thanks again guys , I’ll keep you updated

The vacuum on the flatbed in the lab also exhausts to the room. Not much of an issue though with the air exchange equipment. Although in your situation it might be worth looking into exhausting it outside. But then you open a can of worms since you would require an MUA(make up air) system.

Here's a bit of a tangent but relevant to you venting an apparatus:
Good friend of mine loves to cook and is quite good. When he built his new house he built the kitchen around a 36" Wolf range and 48" Wolf hood. Stir fries, blackened steaks etc...generate tons of smoke.
To the point. To function correctly that 48" hood requires two 10" heated ducts to supply enough air to not kill the pilot lights on the water heaters or fireplaces.

I just finished my kitchen remodel and still need to install a couple 8" supplies for MUA.

As I said before talk to an HVAC specialist about proper ventilation. They will know how to do all the necessary calcs. They should also have calibrated and certified meters to measure any airborne VOC's.
If they don't find a company that does. Knowing what's in the air is an important step in mitigation.

Probably should have brought that up sooner but I've got a lot going on and my old brain can't keep up.

 

[ProColorGraphics]

UV ink in liquid form is very bad to get on your skin.

I ended up putting in an air exchanger and 2 large carbon filters to get rid of the smell and fumes. I think I spent around $5k, but it was so worth it!

 

[Inks]

Ground level ozone (by product of the curing process) and being sensitized to uv inks are two different issues.
I have seen color matchers become sensitized and they were not near the presses. I have not heard of, or seen a press operator sensitized although it could happen.

I understand the handling of screen inks would be completely different from digital. I believe the sensitivity to digital inks is a result of handling prints that are not totally cured.

Proper exaust to avoid ozone and lots of handwashing after handling prints with soap that does not contain lanolin. A respirator may be overkill unless of course you are already sensitized or have breathing issues due to ground level ozone. I always found that in shops that had ozone issues my eyes would get buggy.

This is based on my observations I am not an expert.

 

[Philip A]

Quick update- despite my best efforts to stay out of the print room, it still gets me.
I’ve someone else running the machine and 5hey have no reactions.

Though recently I had to change a part and the machine wasn’t even turned on, it still got me.

Today I got the opportunity to check out another jfx500 printing and the strength or brightness of his led uv was so much stronger, could my problem be down to under cured prints?

Could there be such a think as very fine, spry mist dust that remains ?

Surely I’m not the only one suffering ?

Phil

 

[Inks]

Here is what I typed in December:

Having sold UV inks since the 80's I have seen where some people become sensitized to UV inks.
You may be getting some residual ink on your skin from the prints that have not totally cross linked etc.
When washing your hands use soap that has absolutely no lanolin. Hope this helps, in many cases once sensitized you may need to stay clear of the print area.

It appears you are sensitized to UV inks it happens to some people. I have witnessed where people cannot enter the building where UV were being printed.





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[Inks]

Check this out for more details:

Ultraviolet Process Hazards

Ultraviolet Process Hazards: Ulraviolet (UV) curable inks, varnishes and lacquers are composed of liquid components which co-polymerize to a plastic solid wh

teamster.org

 

[Philip A]

So the bad news s that it still got me, not as bad but got me!