Yellow strong adhesive is a primary source of benzene exposure because of its specific solvent composition and high volatility. While the adhesive is composed largely of toluene (approximately 70%), it contains a critical 1-2% concentration of benzene. Due to benzene’s unstable nature, it evaporates rapidly during use, transforming from a liquid component into a dangerous airborne pollutant almost immediately.
Core Insight Although benzene comprises only a small fraction (1-2%) of the adhesive's total volume, its high volatility drives a rapid release into the air. This makes the adhesive application process a significant contributor to environmental pollution and worker exposure within the facility.
Analyzing the Chemical Composition
The Dominant Solvents
Yellow strong adhesive relies heavily on organic solvents to maintain its consistency and bonding properties.
The bulk of this solvent mixture is toluene, which accounts for approximately 70% of the adhesive's composition.
The Critical Benzene Component
Hidden within this mixture is benzene, present at a concentration of 1-2%.
While this percentage appears minor compared to toluene, it represents a significant volume of hazardous material when calculated across total daily usage in a manufacturing setting.
The Mechanism of Exposure
Understanding Volatility
The primary reason this adhesive is a hazard is the high volatility of benzene.
Volatility refers to how easily a substance turns into a gas or vapor. Benzene does not remain stable in liquid form when exposed to the atmosphere.
Rapid Evaporation
As soon as the adhesive is dispensed, the benzene begins to evaporate.
This rapid transition causes the chemical to release into the surrounding air, creating an immediate inhalation hazard for anyone in the vicinity.
Operational Risks and Trade-offs
High-Risk Process Stages
The release of benzene is not uniform; it spikes during specific manufacturing steps.
Exposure is most acute during the adhesive application and finishing stages of shoemaking. These are the moments when the adhesive surface area is most exposed to air, facilitating maximum evaporation.
The Ventilation Challenge
A common pitfall in facility management is underestimating the speed of this release.
Because the benzene becomes an environmental pollutant so quickly, standard general ventilation may be insufficient. The pollutant is generated directly at the workstation level, requiring localized solutions to prevent worker inhalation.
Managing the Exposure Risk
To effectively manage the risks associated with yellow strong adhesive, you must focus on containment and monitoring at the source.
- If your primary focus is Risk Assessment: Quantify the volume of adhesive used daily to calculate the potential total atmospheric load of benzene (based on the 1-2% content).
- If your primary focus is Worker Safety: Prioritize local exhaust ventilation specifically at the application and finishing stations to capture vapors before they disperse.
Understanding that the hazard stems from volatility allows you to target safety measures exactly where the liquid transitions to gas.
Summary Table:
| Component | Percentage | Key Property | Safety Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toluene | ~70% | Primary Solvent | Main liquid carrier |
| Benzene | 1% - 2% | High Volatility | Rapid evaporation into toxic vapor |
| Solvent Nature | N/A | Highly Unstable | Immediate inhalation risk during application |
| Peak Exposure | N/A | High-Risk Phase | Adhesive application and finishing stages |
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References
- Soedjajadi Keman. Air Benzene Level is associated with Urine Phenol Level and Health Complaints in Shoes Home Industry Workers in Jampirogo, Indonesia. DOI: 10.23880/phoa-16000207
This article is also based on technical information from 3515 Knowledge Base .
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