Work Environments and Exposure to Hazardous Substances in Korean Tire Manufacturing

Abstract

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the tire manufacturing work environments extensively and to identify workers' exposure to hazardous substances in various work processes.MethodsPersonal air sampling was conducted to measure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, carbon disulfide, 1,3-butadiene, styrene, methyl isobutyl ketone, methylcyclohexane, formaldehyde, sulfur dioxide, and rubber fume in tire manufacturing plants using the National Institute for Occupational Safety Health Manual of Analytical Methods. Noise, carbon monoxide, and heat stress exposure were evaluated using direct reading instruments. Past concentrations of rubber fume were assessed using regression analysis of total particulate data from 2003 to 2007, after identifying the correlation between the concentration of total particulate and rubber fume.ResultsWorkers were exposed to rubber fume that exceeded 0.6 mg/m3, the maximum exposure limit of the UK, in curing and production management processes. Forty-seven percent of workers were exposed to noise levels exceeding 85 dBA. Workers in the production management process were exposed to 28.1℃ (wet bulb globe temperature value, WBGT value) even when the outdoor atmosphere was 2.7℃ (WBGT value). Exposures to other substances were below the limit of detection or under a tenth of the threshold limit values given by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.ConclusionTo better classify exposure groups and to improve work environments, examining closely at rubber fume components and temperature as risk indicators in tire manufacturing is recommended.

Does formaldehyde have a causal association with nasopharyngeal cancer and leukaemia?

“…Personal samplings to assess TWA and STEL. TWA (8 h) Personal 0.056 (0.003–0.923) STEL (15 min) Personal 1.428 (0.103–14.773) Lee et al, (2012) [ 16 ] In curling and compounding process of two tire plants, 12 personal sampling to assess TWA. TWA (8 h) Personal 0.029 (0.027–0.029) (highest within 4 spots) Yoo et al,(2014) [ 17 ] Workers handle medium density fiberboard and veneer in a furniture manufacturing factory.…”

“…The highest concentration of formaldehyde was 0.029 ppm in the compounding process of two tire manufacturing plants [ 16 ]. A furniture manufacturing factory had a formaldehyde concentration of 2.7 ppm when handling wet veneer at 150 °C [ 17 ].…”

A Case of Tracheal Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma in a Worker Exposed to Rubber Fumes

“…Through the working period, the concentrations of other carcinogens such as PAHs and N-nitrosamines were non-detectable or less than 10% of the Korean OEL or even not available (Table 1 ). However, the unavailable rubber fume concentrations during the first 6 years (1996–2001) could be estimated by using a regression equation proposed by Lee et al [ 13 ]. Indeed, the estimated maximal value for the concentration of rubber fumes in this period was close to or higher than the British OEL (0.60 mg/m 3 ) [ 16 ] (Table 2 ).…”

“… NA: Not available. *y = 0.81x + 0.049 (x = total dust, y = concentration of rubber fumes) adapted from Lee et al [ 13 ]. † Measured concentration in mg/m 3 .…”

Particulate Matter (Fine Particle) and Urologic Diseases

“…Both PM 10 and PM 2.5 are composed of inhalable particles of many sizes and shapes that contain hundreds of chemicals that react with each other. The main sources of PM are construction, unpaved roads, smokestacks and fires, power plants, the tire industry, and automobiles [ 32 , 33 ]. Naturally occurring PM comes from volcanoes, dust storms, forest fires, sea spray, and living vegetation [ 5 ].…”