Evaluation of Occupational Combined Exposure to Organic Solvents and Noise in Printing Industry

El-Said, Khaled

doi:10.21608/jhiph.2009.20738

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 18 publications

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“…Seventeen studies of offset printeries, in which individual VOC concentrations were reported, were identified (Batterman et al 2002;Caselli et al 2009;Ćurčić et al 2013;El-Said 2009;Gegic and Savic 2013;Gioda and de Aquino Neto 2002;Godoi et al 2009;Hautamäki et al 2006;Lee et al 2009;Leung, Liu, and Chan 2005;Mansouri et al 2015;Rodriguez and Gibbins 2007;Sancini et al 2014;Svendsen and Rognes 2000;Thanacharoenchanaphas et al 2007aThanacharoenchanaphas et al , 2007bYu et al 2004). Just one used evacuated canister sampling methodology (Leung, Liu, and Chan 2005).…”

Section: Voc Concentrations From Previous Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inhalation exposure to volatile organic compounds in the printing industry

Alabdulhadi

Ramadan

Devey

et al. 2019

Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association

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This study reports on the occupational inhalation exposure to VOCs of workers in the Kuwaiti printing industry. Using the evacuated canister methodology, we targeted 72 VOCs in three printeries and compared the concentrations to previous reports and relevant occupational exposure levels (OELs). We found that recent efforts in the printing industry to reduce VOC usage had been successful, as concentrations of key hazardous VOCs were substantially lower than anticipated. On the other hand, nearly all target VOCs were found. Non-production areas were sampled along with the offset printing areas, another strength of this study, and revealed exposures to hazardous VOCs among administers and digital printer and CTP operators. Exposure to ototoxic VOCs amounted to 1-3% of the OEL, consisting mostly of ethylbenzene, which was likely in use in two of the study printeries. Exposure to carcinogenic or probably carcinogenic VOCs was 15-20% of the OEL at four locations across the three printeries, consisting mostly of vinyl chloride and benzyl chloride. Vinyl chloride VOC was partially sourced from outdoors, but was also likely used inside the study printeries. Interestingly, concentrations of vinyl chloride were similar in most sampling locations to that of CFC-114, a CFC banned by the Montreal Protocol and not commonly used as a refrigerant. This unexpected finding suggests further study is warranted to identify the use of these VOCs in printeries. Exposure to hazardous VOCs up to nearly 50% of the OEL, consisting largely of bromoform and vinyl chloride. Bromoform was found in all the study printeries, sourced partially from outdoor air. The higher concentrations found inside the study printeries likely resulted from the use of the desalinated water for washing. This finding raises of emissions from sources other than blanket washes, and inks, etc. adding to the total VOC load in printery indoor air. Implications: Results from this study indicate that efforts to reduce worker exposure to VOCs particularly dangerous to human health in recent years have been successful, but there is still much to be done to protect workers. Exposures to ototoxic and carcinogenic VOCs were identified, among both production and non-production workers. Unexpected findings included the apparent use in printing activities of the carcinogen vinyl chloride and CFC-114, banned under the Montreal Protocol. Observed lapses in safety procedures included failure to utilize ventilation systems and closing doors between work areas, indicating management and worker education should remain a priority.

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