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J Air Waste Manag Assoc

Title:		Survey of waste comminglers' VOC exposures
Author(s):		Ryan TJ;
Address:		"School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Human Services, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USA"
Journal Title:		J Air Waste Manag Assoc
Year:		2002
Volume:		52
Issue:		11
Page Number:		1298 - 1306
DOI:		10.1080/10473289.2002.10470862
ISSN/ISBN:		1096-2247 (Print) 1096-2247 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Twelve U.S. universities performing hazardous waste solvent commingling operations were surveyed for waste handler exposures to 45 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-designated volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Personal exposures (n = 33) and area concentrations (n = 30) were determined using gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of passively collected samples. Air monitoring data were used to determine the veracity of laboratory-generated reports of waste container contents. Participants completed a questionnaire concerning the use of personal protective equipment, ventilation, and other appropriate safety equipment for their specific commingling operation. Follow-up telephone interviews were conducted to elucidate safeguards in place. Results showed that personal exposures exceeded area concentrations in 70% of operations. For the contaminant concentrations reported, 17% of personal samples exceeded Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) time-weighted average or ceiling limit values. Methylene chloride was a frequently seen airborne contaminant not listed on drum inventory sheets. When airborne constituents were compared with container content tags, 44% of the chemicals detected in air were omitted from the waste tags. This study concluded that the most frequently necessary safeguard is respiratory protection, preferably a supplied-air-type. The use of local exhaust ventilation systems rather than dilution or natural systems and facility operation in a totally explosion-safe manner are also recommended"
Keywords:		"Data Collection Hazardous Waste/*analysis Humans *Occupational Exposure Organic Chemicals/analysis Safety Solvents/*analysis United States United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration Volatilization *Waste Disposal, Fluid;"
Notes:		"MedlineRyan, Timothy J eng 2002/12/10 J Air Waste Manag Assoc. 2002 Nov; 52(11):1298-306. doi: 10.1080/10473289.2002.10470862"