[Reliability of routine measurements of atmospheric air pollution using sulfur dioxide as an example]. / Wiarygodnosc analiz podstawowych zanieczyszen powietrza atmosferycznego na przykladzie dwutlenku siarki.

On the basis of an external quality control of sulfur dioxide measurements in the atmospheric air (emission), the preparation of control material, its evaluation and a two-week durability of the material are presented. The results of the control test carried out in autumn 1994 is also discussed.

[Quality assurance of examinations performed by laboratories of the State Sanitary Inspection Service]. / Zapewnienie jakosci badan w laboratoriach Panstwowej Inspekcji Sanitarnej.

An accredited laboratory means that its competence in performing particular tests and examinations is officially recognised. Requirements concerning testing laboratories are specified in the European Standard EN 45001 and in the Guide ISO/ICE-25. When applying for an accreditation laboratories of the State Sanitary Inspectorate have to develop new or adjust existing systems of quality assurance in accordance with the aforesaid recommendations. The system of laboratory quality assurance should be described thoroughly in the quality manual and backed up by an appropriate documentation. An application for accreditation should be preceded by the following steps: setting up of a team of persons responsible for quality assurance policy, drawing up criteria for assessing testing methods and procedures, promoting principles of quality assurance and introducing necessary corrections, formulating an accreditation application form which should comprise: the range of expected accreditation, kind of investigations to be performed and methods to be applied. An application together with the quality manual should be submitted to the Central Bureau for Product Quality Assurance in Warsaw--the only office which grants accreditation in Poland.

[Occupational exposure to toxic substances during the production of vinyl chloride and chlorinated organic solvents]. / Narazenie zawodowe na substancje toksyczne podczas produkcji chlorku winylu i rozpuszczalników chloroorganicznych.

Determinations of vinyl chloride and chlorinated organic solvent concentrations at the breathing zone of the industrial workers employed at the vinyl chloride synthesis process have revealed excessive exposure to certain chlorinated compounds. The average exposures of the operators of the vinyl chloride synthesis apparatus have been found to be 13 MAC for vinyl chloride and 2.5 MAC for 1,2-dichloroethane. The operators of the solvent synthesis apparatus have been exposed to average concentrations of carbon tetrachloride up to 3.5 MAC, the corresponding values for the fitters being 4.5 MAC for vinyl chloride, 3.5 MAC for 1,2-dichloroethane, and 3 MAC for carbon tetrachloride.

[Exposure to vinyl chloride in the Polish industry]. / Narazenie na chlorek winylu w polskim przemysle.

Information concerning exposure to vinyl chloride collected in Occupational Hygiene Departments of Sanitary-Epidemiological Stations were verified. On the basis of the studies performed it was found that about 3700-4000 persons in Poland are occupationally exposed to vinyl chloride; 400 of these workers are employed at the synthesis and polymeryzation of vinyl chloride, and the others at plasticination and processing of polyvinyl chloride. About 200 workers employed in 3 plants of vinyl chloride polymerization and synthesis and about 30 employees of one of the plants processing this compound are exposed to vinyl chloride whose concentration exceeds the hygienic standard accepted in Poland (30 mg/m3).

[Evaluation of occupational exposure to nickel and other metals based on the analysis of air in the production of nickel alloys]. / Ocena narazenia zawodowego na nikiel i inne metale na podstawie analizy powietrza przy produkcji stopów niklowych.

The measurements of air pollutions in the rolling mill of non-ferrous metals aimed at the evaluation of occupational exposure to nickel and other metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Mg) used during the production of nickel alloys. It was found that nickel fumes and dusts concentration can be the only hazardous factor for the workers' health. The majority (ca 85%) of the crew of 28 workers is exposed to the nickel concentration in air exceeding 0.05 mg/m3. Smelters (8 persons) at the stand of 97-99% nickel smelting are at the highest risk of the loss of health; average exposure of this group during 8 hours' shift may surpass 2 mg Ni/m3. Mean concentration in air of the fumes and dusts of copper, zinc, manganese and magnesium do not make a hygienic problem.

[A chromatographic method of determining the levels of organic solvents in the air, the components of the offset lacquer LO-2]. / Chromatograficzna metoda oznaczania w powietrzu rozpuszczalników organicznych, skladników lakieru offsetowego LO-2.

A gas chromatographic method was worked out to determine the mixture of ethyl acetate, toluene, buthyl acetate, p,m-xylene, o-xylene and ethyl ethylene glycol vapours. These solvents are used as some components of offset lacquer LO-2. Optimum separation conditions were achieved on 3-metre SS column filled with 10% FFAP on Chormosorb W AW DMCS 80-100 mesh. Air samples were collected on activated charcoal placed in glass tubes. The components tested were desorbed from the sorbent material by 10% acetone solution in CS2. The method enables to determine the concentrations of each compound, corresponding to one fifth of their TLVs.

Retention of vinyl chloride in the human lung.

Experiments with volunteers showed that 42% of an inhaled dose of vinyl chloride is retained in the lungs. This value is independent of the concentration of vinyl chloride in the air. Elimination of vinyl chloride through the lungs is negligible since its concentration in expired air decreases immediately after the cessation of exposure.

Comparison of methods for determination of desorption efficiencies.

Three methods for desorption efficiencey determination were compared with a reference dynamic method for 12 compounds. Only one of them gave values that were statistically different. The method, in which standard solutions of determined compounds in CS2 are injected onto charcoal, is recommended to all laboratories dealing with air analysis as it is simpler than the dynamic method. Independence of the desorption efficiency on charcoal loading was also confirmed. The desorption efficiences for individual compounds and their mixtures were found to be different.

[Evaluation of the work environment in polyvinyl chloride plants]. / Ocena srodowiska pracy w zakladach wytwarzajacych polichlorek winylu (PCW).

Working environment has been evaluated in PVC plants by air analysis for vinyl chloride concentration. The vinyl chloride emission has been found to vary with the production stage. It has been demonstrated that in the first year of the production, VC airborne concentration largely promoted the risk of developing occupational diseases. The present work conditions may be regarded as admissible and safe. This results from some technological modifications aimed at the reduction of VC emission into the ambient air.

[Usefulness of different methods of air sampling for the evaluation of workers' occupational exposure to vinyl chloride]. / Przydatnosc róznych sposobów poboru prób powietrza dla oceny ekspozycji zawodowej osób narazonych na dzialanie chlorku winylu.

In a selected plant, average airborne concentrations of vinyl chloride were estimated by stationary sampling and autoanalyser. In addition, workers' exposure was estimated by means of individual pumps. The analysis of the obtained results gives evidence that estimation of workers' exposure is correct when sampling is done in the breathing-zone. Average concentrations determined by stationary sampling estimate the environment, but provide no information on workers' exposure. The comparison of the obtained results with the hygienic standard is improper, since the hygienic formation on the values of workers' exposure to vinyl chloride was highly differentiated (from 1.8 to 209.5 mg/m3/8 h) and a positive correlation was found between occupational activities and exposure indices.

[Determination of vinyl chloride in the air by the gas chromatography method]. / Oznaczanie chlorku winylu w powietrzu metoda chromatografii gazowej.

The purpose of the paper was to work out a gas chromatographic method for determination of vinyl chloride in the air at work places in the chemical plants. The best results have been obtained at 50 degrees C on 3-meter column containing 10% SE-30 on Chromosorb W AW DMCS, 80--100 mesh. Two methods of sampling have been considered: that of collecting samples in vacuum pipettes and that of adsorption on charcoal. In the former method stability of collected samples has been investigated (Fig. 3). A slight decrease in concentration of the vinyl chloride (approximately 3%) was found in four hours. In the latter method two ways of determination of vinyl chloride desorption coefficient from charcoal have been investigated. Since no essential difference in values of desorption coefficient has been observed, both ways for determination of desorption coefficient may be employed. A modified device for preparation of standard concentrations of vinyl chloride in the air has been utilized in our research (Fig. 2). The relative standard deviation resulting from analysis of samples was +/- 0.075. The minimum determinable amount of vinyl chloride was found to be 10 ng per injection.

[Gas chromatography determination of trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene in the air]. / Oznaczanie w powietrzu mieszaniny par trójchloroetylenu i czterochloroetylenu metoda chromatografii gazowej

Parameters of gas chromatographic separation and determination of trichloroethylene and tetrachlorethylene have been elaborated. The best separation has been achieved on column containing 7% OV-17 on Chromosorb W AW DMCS. For air samples collection, a method of absorption on charcoal and consequent desorption with carbon disulfide has been adapted. Stability of concentration of determined compounds in gas pipettes has been also evaluated. The investigations proved the concentration of compounds in gas pipettes to decrease in time. The magnitude of decrease was dependent on initial concentration and the boiling points of the compounds.

[Gas chromatographic method for the determination of P-chlorphenol in the air]. / Oznaczanie w powietrzu p-chlorofenolu metoda chromatografii gazowej.

The gas chromatographic method for determination of p-chlorophenol in the air in presence of phenol has been elaborated. A good separation of investigated compounds was achieved using 10% FFAP on Chromosorb W as a stationary phase. Air was sampled to water solution of sodium carbonate. The method enables determination of 0.25 mg/m3 of p-chlorophenol, and 2.5 mg/m3 of phenol at the air sample volume 10 dm3.