A Study on Worker Exposure to Methylene Chloride in Aircraft Paint Stripping Operation

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Workers who are related with paint stripping process of aircraft parts can be exposed methylene chloride, phenol, chromium hexavalent in using paint remover. Especially, methylene chloride is more important hazard because of chemical asphyxia. METHOD: NIOSH(National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) Manual of Analytical Methods(NMAM) #1005 was used in sampling and analysis of methylene chloride. 4 air bases were surveyed. RESULT: Airborne concentrations of methylene chloride distributed lognomally. In aircraft paint stripping operation of 4 air bases, geometric mean(GM) of methylene chloride concentrations was 30.40+/-3.39 ppm (n=14) in personal samples and GM of area samples was 2.24 ppm (n=2). 5 of 8 samples showed breakthrough phenomenon. Breakthrough rate([back section]/[front section]) significantly correlated with airborne concentrations (p<0.01) and with detected amounts of methylene chloride(p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Airborne concentrations of methylene chloride in paint stripping process exceed the criteria level in many case(43%). Seriesed charcoal tubes must be used in methylene chloride sampling in compliance with NMAM.