Health and Safety

Good to see some hi-tech development, but is it safe to be spraying graphene at close quarters without a breathing mask?
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/tba-electro-conductive-products-ltd-6720690

Think the question that needs to be answered first - what affects does graphene have on the human body in the first instance, and what medium. be it particles or suspended in a liquid medium for ingress into the body and what concentration.

Is there COSHH sheet for this?

Oh dear. I would suggest at least a mask is required.
Not sure if this is a similar product but...

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET
Trade name: xGnP® Graphene Nanoplatelets

2. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
EMERGENCY OVERVIEW: THIS MATERIAL MAY BE AN IRRITANT TO EYES, SKIN OR RESPIRATORY TRACT.
Potential Health Effects:
Eyes – may cause eye irritation.
Skin – may cause skin irritation.
Respiratory tract/inhalation – may cause irritation
Ingestion – not hazardous in normal industrial use circumstances.
Cancer – natural graphite may contain small amounts of impurities of 0% - 1% crystalline silica, which is listed as a Group 1 carcinogen by IARC and as a suspected human carcinogen by ACGIH. Inhalation of high concentrations of crystalline silica over prolonged periods of time has been linked to an increase in lung cancer. Inhalation of high concentrations of crystalline silica over prolonged periods of time may also cause silicosis. Inhalation of high concentrations of graphite dust over prolonged periods of time may cause pneumoconiosis.

Without seeing the product hazard data sheet, the formal risk assessment and the provided containment measures (local exhaust ventilation, etc.) it would be impossible to comment.

I would suggest that there is unlikely to be any more risk than that involved in spraying from aerosols any household products... YOU all wear facemasts don't you?

You can't sue your employer for making you ill if your home polishing makes you ill though.

Plus his sleeves appear to be covered in something. May be splatter? There appears to be more product coming out of that industrial spray gun than you'd get from an average spray from a can of pledge. I would hazard a guess that the effects may be cumulative and if someone is doing this on a regular, daily basis, it would probably be good to use some RPE.

johnb wrote:
I would suggest that there is unlikely to be any more risk than that involved in spraying from aerosols any household products... YOU all wear facemasts don't you?

Probaly not, especially if the body cannot get rid of it, as with some chemicals.

I would think that graphene does not decompose in the body, but as stated we need the CoSH sheets that must be available to really know.

A bit of carbon's good for you. Did you never chew the end of your pencil? I know what I did with the end of mine.     

There is some concern that particles of graphene might cause similar to damage as asbestos. Graphene is too new for long term experience of what inhaling it might do. Best be on the safe side I would think.