Exposure to High Levels of Volatile Organic Compounds and Other Pollutants in a Printing Facility in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Industrial environments often contain potential sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Many such compounds are extremely toxic and can be harmful to health. In April 2000, a chemical evaluation was carried out in a printing facility in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during which a high concentration of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) was detected. Therefore, measures were adopted to improve the air quality such as the increase in the air exchange rate and installation of exhaust fans. In March 2001, a new evaluation was done. Some 249 VOCs were identified and quantified in both campaigns. Most of them were found only in the indoor air. After the control programme, the values for TVOCs were reduced by 40–80%; however, they were still high and exceeded international and national limits. The majority of other parameters measured at the same time remained below the tolerance limits. Therefore, another round of remediative measures was initiated and follow-up monitoring will be undertaken, illustrating that indoor air quality remediation is a stepwise continuing process.