| Title: | Engineered Stone Fabrication Work Releases Volatile Organic Compounds Classified as Lung Irritants |
| Author(s): | Ramkissoon C; Gaskin S; Hall T; Pisaniello D; Zosky G; |
| Address: | "Adelaide Exposure Science and Health, School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5031, Australia. Mawson Analytical Spectrometry Services, School of Physical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia. Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7000, Australia" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 2398-7316 (Electronic) 2398-7308 (Print) 2398-7308 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Engineered stones are often characterized for their crystalline silica content. Their organic composition, particularly that of the emissions generated during fabrication work using hand-held power tools, is relatively unexplored. We forensically screened the emissions from dry-cutting 12 engineered stone products in a test chamber for their organic composition by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) plus selected traditional capture and analysis techniques. Phthalic anhydride, which has a Respiratory Sensitization (RSEN) Notation by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), was the most common and abundant compound, at 26-85% of the total organic composition of engineered stone emissions. Benzaldehyde and styrene were also present in all twelve samples. During active cutting, the predominant volatile organic compound (VOC) emitted was styrene, with phthalic anhydride, benzene, ethylbenzene, and toluene also detected. These results have important health implications as styrene and phthalic anhydride are irritants to the respiratory tract. This study suggests a risk of concurrent exposure to high levels of respirable crystalline silica and organic lung irritants during engineered stone fabrication work" |
| Keywords: | Humans *Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis Irritants/analysis Phthalic Anhydrides *Occupational Exposure/analysis Silicon Dioxide/analysis Styrene/analysis Lung/chemistry engineered stone lung irritants volatile organic compounds; |
| Notes: | "MedlineRamkissoon, Chandnee Gaskin, Sharyn Hall, Tony Pisaniello, Dino Zosky, Graeme eng England 2022/10/15 Ann Work Expo Health. 2023 Feb 13; 67(2):288-293. doi: 10.1093/annweh/wxac068" |
