| Agent Name |
Flock |
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| Major Category |
Plastics & Rubber |
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| Category |
Plastic & Rubber Dusts/Fumes |
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| Sources/Uses |
Flock consists of synthetic fiber (nylon, rayon, polyester, acrylic, polypropylene, or polyethylene) approximately 10 to 15 microns in diameter cut into 1 mm pieces. "These short fibers are applied to adhesive-coated surfaces of many materials, such as fabrics and paper, to create a velvet-like finish to a variety of products, including upholstery coverings, greeting cards, glove boxes for automobiles, etc." [See Reference: NIOSH, p. 8] |
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| Comments |
Cases of flock workers' lung caused by nylon flock were first reported in 1995 and 1996 in Canada and Rhode Island. Cases caused by polyethylene and polypropylene flock have been reported in Europe. Affected workers develop dyspnea and cough usually about 5-6 years after starting work. Findings include diffuse reticulonodular infiltrates, restrictive defect, and decreased carbon monoxide diffusion capacity." [Rom, p. 528-30] Flock workers have respiratory symptoms and repeated flu-like illnesses associated with compressed-air cleaning and cumulative exposure. [PMID 15662645 and 17370318] |
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| Reference Link |
NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation Report: Claremont Flock Corporation, August 2006 |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| Reference Link |
Nylon flock-associated interstitial lung disease |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Fibrogenic |
Yes |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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