Title: | An evaluation of employee exposure to volatile organic compounds in three photocopy centers |
Author(s): | Stefaniak AB; Breysse PN; Murray MP; Rooney BC; Schaefer J; |
Address: | "Division of Environmental Health Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA" |
ISSN/ISBN: | 0013-9351 (Print) 0013-9351 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "Personal and area samples from three copy centres were collected in thermal desorption tubes and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Real-time personal total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) were measured using a data-logging photoionization detector. Fifty-four different VOCs were detected in the area samples. The maximum concentration measured was 1132.0 ppb (toluene, copy center 3, day 1). Thirty-eight VOCs were detected in the personal samples and concentrations ranged from 0.1 ppb (1,1-biphenyl, p-dichlorobenzene, propylbenzene, styrene, and tetrachloroethylene) to 689.6 ppb (toluene). Real-time TVOC measurements indicated daily fluctuations in exposure, ranging from <71 to 21,300 ppb. The time-weighted average exposures for the photocopier operators on days 1 and 2 were 235 and 266 ppb and 6155 and 3683 ppb, in copy centers 2 and 3, respectively. Personal exposure measurements of individual VOCs were below accepted occupational standards and guidelines. For example, the maximum concentration was 0.3% of the permissible exposure limits (toluene, copy center 3). Exposures were highest in copy center 3; this is likely due to the presence of offset printing presses. It is concluded that photocopiers contribute a wide variety of VOCs to the indoor air of photocopy centers; however, exposures are at least 100 times below established standards" |
Keywords: | "Air Pollution, Indoor/*analysis *Copying Processes Humans *Occupational Exposure Organic Chemicals/*analysis Ventilation Volatilization;" |
Notes: | "MedlineStefaniak, A B Breysse, P N Murray, M P Rooney, B C Schaefer, J eng H400-858-2066/PHS HHS/ Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. Netherlands 2000/06/17 Environ Res. 2000 Jun; 83(2):162-73. doi: 10.1006/enrs.2000.4061" |