Flammable Dusts – a little-known risk in UV sheetfed offset printing

The use of anti set-off spray powder in sheetfed offset printing offers manufacturing advantages, but at the same time the powder represents a health hazard when inhaled, it can cause accelerated wear and tear on machinery and it requires additional cleaning. Dust deposits can also increase the risk of fire and explosion. Joint research carried out by the Berufsgenossenschaft, a dryer manufacturer and the PTB in Braunschweig (Germany’s national metrology institute providing scientific and technical services) have confirmed that the ignition of starch powder clouds by standard UV dryers causes deflagrations (flash fires).