| Title: | Control of workers' exposure to xylene in a pesticide production factory |
| Author(s): | Mohammadyan M; Baharfar Y; |
| Journal Title: | Int J Occup Environ Health |
| DOI: | 10.1179/2049396714Y.0000000098 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 2049-3967 (Electronic) 1077-3525 (Print) 1077-3525 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "BACKGROUND: Acute and chronic exposure to xylene can result in a range of negative health effects. However, xylene is widely used and emitted in the air of workplaces. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate xylene vapor concentrations to guide the design and evaluation of a local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system to reduce exposure in a pesticide production factory. METHOD: A real time volatile organic compound (VOC) monitor was used to determine the workers' time-weighted average (TWA) exposure. A LEV system was designed, and then, workers' exposure to xylene vapor was evaluated. RESULTS: We found that worker's exposure to xylene (4.7+/-5.5 ppm) was lower than the standards recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and the Occupational safety and health administration (OSHA). Despite the low TWA exposures, the short-term exposures for some workers were higher than STEL levels. Three canopy hoods were designed and installed with capture velocities of 0.508 m second(-1) and duct velocity of 10.16 m second(-1). CONCLUSION: We found that an exhaust ventilation system had a significantly reduced occupational exposure to xylene vapor" |
| Keywords: | "Adult Air Pollutants, Occupational/*analysis Environmental Monitoring/instrumentation Equipment Design Humans Iran Male Middle Aged Occupational Exposure/*analysis/*prevention & control Occupational Health Pesticides/*toxicity Ventilation/*instrumentation;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineMohammadyan, M Baharfar, Y eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2014/12/10 Int J Occup Environ Health. 2015; 21(2):121-6. doi: 10.1179/2049396714Y.0000000098. Epub 2014 Dec 8" |
