Internal exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds of motorcycle mechanics

• Main Authors: HSIEH,YI-YEH, 謝易燁
• Other Authors: LIN,TSER-SHENG
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/tw3f68

碩士 === 國立聯合大學 === 環境與安全衛生工程學系碩士班 === 103 === Because of the advantages of convenience, maneuverability, and economy, motorcycles have been becoming the favorite means of transportation. In addition, the motorcycle in (sub)tropical area is also extremely large in number. In Taiwan, most motorcycle workshops are small private business. As a result, most motorcycle mechanics work in a small area near major roads with heavy-traffic. Thus they were exposed to vehicle exhaust both from their workplaces and roads. Previous study indicated a disparity in pollutants’ concentrations measured by using personal sampling and area sampling for motorcycle mechanics. In addition, the ambient levels might not be usable to estimate dermal absorption. This study aimed to assess the exposure levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for motorcycle technicians. A total of 10 motorcycle maintenance sites and 10 motorcycle maintenance technicians were recruited to collect their urine and personal samples to estimate their VOCs exposure levels. Exposure to benzene, tolutene, ethylbenzne and xylene (BTEX) during the work shift (approximately 6-8 h) were measured using personal diffusive samplers worn by all the subjects at the breathing zone. In addition, workers’ pre-shift and post-shift urine samples were taken to determine t,t-MA and 8-OHdG concentrations. The concentration of BTEX in air ranged from 0.01 12.6~381.4 ng/m3. The average of t,t MA at the start-of-work and end-of-work were 0.16 and 0.26 mg/g creatinine. The results showed the urinary t,t MA levels in the end-of-work samples were much higher than those in the start-of-work samples in motorcycle mechanics. The average of 8-OHdG at the start-of-work and end-of-work were 208.1 and 184.885 mg/g creatinine. The results showed the urinary t,t MA levels in the start-of-work samples were much higher than those in the end-of-work samples in motorcycle mechanics. Comparing the average urine ttMA levels of the technicians to those of the control group, a significantly higher level was detected in the technicians group. However, these levels were lower than ACGIH BEI, and thereby the potential health-risk of motorcycle technicians might worth further protection in the future. Keywords: VOCs, Motorcycle technicians, Exposure Assessment