Abstract
Emission of air-borne free radicals was found to occur in the processing of polyethylene and polystyrene plastics. Air samples from work areas were collected into a solution of phenyl-N-tert butylnitrone (PBN) as a spin trap. The spin adduct was analyzed with electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Free radicals were detected in air samples during injection molding, extruding, seam welding, and wire cutting of the plastics.