« Previous Abstract"Influence of the process, season, and origin on volatile composition and antioxidant activity of Juniperus phoenicea L. leaves essential oils"    Next Abstract"Chromatin assembly factor I contributes to the maintenance, but not the re-establishment, of silencing at the yeast silent mating loci" »

Sangyo Eiseigaku Zasshi

Title:		[Evaluation of individual exposure to organic solvents using a portable VOC monitor]
Author(s):		Enomoto M;
Address:		"Department of Hygiene, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Mibu, Tochigi, Japan. emitsu@dokkyomed.ac.jp"
Journal Title:		Sangyo Eiseigaku Zasshi
Year:		2006
Volume:		48
Issue:		6
Page Number:		214 - 220
DOI:		10.1539/sangyoeisei.48.214
ISSN/ISBN:		1341-0725 (Print) 1341-0725 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Analysis by gas chromatograph after collection of personal samples is the most common method of evaluating individuals' exposures to organic solvents. This method provides us time-weighted averages (TWA) only, and does not measure fluctuating concentrations of organic solvents. A portable VOC monitor is widely used as a rapid screening instrument for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in houses, schools, etc. The VOC monitor equipped with a photoionization detector can measure real-time concentrations of VOCs. In this study, the author investigated whether the VOC monitor can evaluate individuals' exposures to organic solvents. First, standard organic solvent gases were prepared and the gas concentrations were measured by a passive air sampler and the VOC monitor. Correction factors (CF) were obtained for the response of the isobutylene calibrated VOC monitor to equal concentrations of the organic solvents. Methyl ethyl ketone's CF was 0.5952, toluene's CF was 0.4418, and N,N-dimethylformamide's CF was 0.9017. Then, a mixed standard organic solvents gas was prepared and the gas concentration was measured by both methods. A significant correlation between both methods was obtained (p < 0.001). Subsequently, 37 male workers in a synthetic-leather factory were examined for solvent exposure using both the VOC and a passive sampler, Similar results were obtained by both methods (p < 0.001). Real-time data can be obtained using the VOC monitor and high exposure tasks can be identified. The VOC monitor will be useful for reducing occupational exposure. Since the VOC monitor provides detailed data of individuals' exposures to organic solvents"
Keywords:		"Adult Air Pollution, Indoor/*analysis Butanones/analysis Dimethylformamide/analysis Environmental Monitoring/*instrumentation/methods Gases Humans Male Middle Aged Occupational Exposure/*analysis/prevention & control Solvents/*analysis Time Factors Toluen;"
Notes:		"MedlineEnomoto, Mitsunori jpn English Abstract Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Japan 2006/12/16 Sangyo Eiseigaku Zasshi. 2006 Nov; 48(6):214-20. doi: 10.1539/sangyoeisei.48.214"