Ventilation Study

QUADRANT EPP USA, INC.

Ventilation Study

Reading PA

Quadrant EPP USA, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Quadrant Plastics of Lenzburg, Switzerland.  Quadrant was founded in 1996 and has become the standard bearer for innovation with many key developments in the formulation and manufacturing of plastic materials to their credit.  Quadrant, along with its strategic partner Mitsubishi Plastics of Japan, is the global leader in the manufacturing of high performance, machinable, thermoplastic materials. In addition to being the corporate headquarters for Quadrant EPP USA, Inc; the Reading, PA facility manufactures ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, nylon, and acetal polymer finished parts and shapes. The products manufactured in Reading are used in the food processing & packaging, semiconductor, aerospace, chemical processing, life sciences, and power generation industries.

A manufacturing process used at Quadrant creates off-gassing of Caprolactam which was not captured or controlled resulting in blood level concentrations exceeding OSHA guidelines. SSM was retained by Quadrant EPP to evaluate the processes being used and recommend modifications to bring the facility into compliance. SSM documented the performance of the ventilation systems and the capture capabilities of the exhaust hoods at the process points. SSM also observed the manufacturing process and operator procedures. The outcome was recommendations for modifications to the ventilation systems and modifications to the fume capture hoods to move the fumes away from personnel and intoexhaust systems for removal. SSM then provided the design of those modifications resulting in a compliant environment.