Rubber and Tire Manufacturers
Solvents containing benzene are used in the making of tires and other rubber products. Benzene fumes are common throughout such plants created by processes that generate heat. Benzene-containing solvents and other materials are commonly shipped into the receiving unit of tire and rubber plants, risking exposure in people working in shipping and receiving. Maintenance workers, laborers and electrical repairmen might also utilize benzene containing solvents to clean and repair machinery. Their work also takes them to areas throughout the facility where they face exposure to benzene vapors from other manufacturing processes.
??Rubber workers manufacture gaskets, belting, tubing, neoprene, and other rubber products. Manufacturing processes involving the use of heat can result in significant amounts of benzene vapors. Trades at tire manufacturing plants can be exposed to benzene vapors in areas of the plant utilizing heat and solvents. Rubber batches are put through a number of processes to create tires, such as extrusion, calendaring, curing and product fabrication. Benzene fumes arise when heat and solvents are used to form and coat the rubber. Workers who use solvents to finish and repair tires also risk exposure to benzene containing solvents.
