To better understand the need for the LGAC system it helps to understand what happens during laser processing and how it can affect your workers?

When a laser beam is applied to the surface of a material; high temperatures that are generated, cause the air near to the contact point to expand generally back in the direction of the lens. The laser beam causes incineration, vaporization, melting and softening of the material. Rapidly expanding gases pickup and carry the removable particles and droplets at relatively high velocities away from the product material. The contaminants released consist of a wide variety of gases, in some cases noxious such as benzene or phosgene. They also consist of products of combustion including possible oxides of the base material. Stainless steel, for example, releases chromium and nickel, which can cause chronic toxicological effects such as liver/kidney disease and cancer.

There are several things that are different about laser cutting styrene as opposed to many other materials. Is it safe to laser cut styrene? Safe, yes, but it is a little tricky.  Styrene tends to cut with rolled edges so the thinner the better for clean cuts. You can do better with less power, more speed, and two passes. Another option for straight cuts is to have the laser score it then break out the pieces. What about issues with poisonous fumes? Styrene doesn't contain PVC, so no worries there with fumes. As long as your laser has a full filter system that extracts outdoors, it should not be an issue. However, cutting anything that has chlorine in it like PVC generates chlorine gas, which despite your filtration system, might affect your lungs. The thing with cutting PVC or other plastics with chlorine is that not only is it bad for your lungs, but it is bad for your equipment. It can deteriorate your optics, corrode the metal, and otherwise foul your electronics.