Exposure Assessment of Volatile Organic Compounds for Helmet Manufacturing Factory Workers

• Main Authors: Lu, Han-Xin, 呂翰昕
• Other Authors: Sheu, Shiann-Cherng
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/71986654162036329303

碩士 === 長榮大學 === 職業安全與衛生學系碩士班 === 103 === This study is set out to determine the concentrations of volatile organic compounds(VOCs) in the atmosphere of helmet manufacturing places via air sampling. The major substances include acrylonitrile, benzene, butyl acetate, toluene, p/m-xylene, styrene and o-xylene. The purposes of this study are: (1) to measure the concentrations of VOCs in the factory and compare with permissible exposure limits(PEs) in laws. (2)to compare the difference on VOCs concentrations between frontline workers and administrative staff. (3) to confirm the exposure of painting workers in a helmet manufacturing factory and suggest an improved method that can reduce chemical exposure for the workers.In this study we randomly selected 9 workers from painting, labeling, packaging, ABS area(exposed group), and another 7 administrative staffs(non-exposed group) in 9 working days . 83 exposure group samples and 12 non-exposed group samples were collected. The air exposure measurements were performed by using single thermal desorption tubes packed with Tenax TA sorbents, the sampling pumps were set up at a flow rate 200 mL/min, and the pumps were set near the breathing zone of workers. The thermal desorption tubes were analyzed by using thermal desorption gas chromatography to estimate the 8-hour time-weighted average. The results showed that the painting area of helmet manufacturing factory has the highest concentration. The levels of benzene, toluene, butyl aceatae, p/m-xylene, styrene and o-xylene were 7.0412.63 ppb、2051.161605.02 ppb 170.51150.69 ppb, 152.26139.32 ppb, 97.8697.42 ppb, 140.02104.33 ppb, respectively. However, the 8-hour time-weighted average exposure concentrations of the VOCs were far below the permissible exposure limits in all areas. Using one-way analysis of variance and Post Hoc test showed that, the average value of acrylonitrile, benzene, toluene, butyl acetate, p&m-xylene, styrene, o-xylene had statistical significantly different(P < 0.05). It showed statistical significantly different(P < 0.05) if the concentrations of all volatile organic chemicals in different areas were used to compare with those in painting area. But among the labeling, packaging, ABS and administrative areas are not reached statistical significantly different(P > 0.05).