Assessing flammable storage cabinets as sources of VOC exposure in laboratories using real-time direct reading wireless detectors.

Herein we present the results of measurements using wireless direct-reading photoionization detector-based gas sensors to quantify concentrations of vapors of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in and around flammable storage cabinets containing common organic solvents, including acetone, dichloromethane, trichloroethylene, and benzene. Such cabinets are commonly employed in laboratories to contain flammable liquids. A sensor array was deployed in a series of flammable storage cabinets in working laboratories. Measurements in cabinets containing bottles of typical solvents demonstrate that vapor concentrations gradually increase upon closing the cabinet door. The results suggest that these storage units can be a source of vapors of VOCs in laboratories and the unnecessary exposure of laboratory workers to chemical vapors. Ventilation of cabinets tended to lower maximum concentrations of VOCs. However, the efficacy of this engineering control was found to depend on the quality of the cabinet door seal, as well as having debris-free flame arrestors. Opening cabinet doors resulted in release of vapors to the laboratory atmosphere, which represents an unnecessary exposure risk for workers. A countermeasure aimed at improving the seal of previously opened solvent bottles reduced measured concentrations of VOCs in cabinets below the detector's limit of detection.

Effect of ventilation velocity on hexavalent chromium and isocyanate exposures in aircraft paint spraying.

Exposure control system performance was evaluated during aircraft paint spraying at a military facility. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, tracer gas testing, and exposure monitoring examined contaminant exposure vs. crossflow ventilation velocity. CFD modeling using the RNG k-ϵ turbulence model showed exposures to simulated methyl isobutyl ketone of 294 and 83.6 ppm, as a spatial average of five worker locations, for velocities of 0.508 and 0.381 m/s (100 and 75 fpm), respectively. In tracer gas experiments, observed supply/exhaust velocities of 0.706/0.503 m/s (136/99 fpm) were termed full-flow, and reduced velocities were termed 3/4-flow and half-flow. Half-flow showed higher tracer gas concentrations than 3/4-flow, which had the lowest time-averaged concentration, with difference in log means significant at the 95% confidence level. Half-flow compared to full-flow and 3/4-flow compared to full-flow showed no statistically significant difference. CFD modeling using these ventilation conditions agreed closely with the tracer results for the full-flow and 3/4-flow comparison, yet not for the 3/4-flow and half-flow comparison. Full-flow conditions at the painting facility produced a velocity of 0.528 m/s (104 fpm) midway between supply and exhaust locations, with the supply rate of 94.4 m3/s (200,000 cfm) exceeding the exhaust rate of 68.7 m3/s (146,000 cfm). Ventilation modifications to correct this imbalance created a midhangar velocity of 0.406 m/s (80.0 fpm). Personal exposure monitoring for two worker groups-sprayers and sprayer helpers ("hosemen")-compared process duration means for the two velocities. Hexavalent chromium (Cr[VI]) exposures were 500 vs. 360 µg/m3 for sprayers and 120 vs. 170 µg/m3 for hosemen, for 0.528 m/s (104 fpm) and 0.406 m/s (80.0 fpm), respectively. Hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) monomer means were 32.2 vs. 13.3 µg/m3 for sprayers and 3.99 vs. 8.42 µg/m3 for hosemen. Crossflow velocities affected exposures inconsistently, and local work zone velocities were much lower. Aircraft painting contaminant control is accomplished better with the unidirectional crossflow ventilation presented here than with other observed configurations. Exposure limit exceedances for this ideal condition reinforce continued use of personal protective equipment.

Occupational exposures to new dry cleaning solvents: High-flashpoint hydrocarbons and butylal.

The dry cleaning industry is moving away from using perchloroethylene. Occupational exposures to two alternative dry cleaning solvents, butylal and high-flashpoint hydrocarbons, have not been well characterized. We evaluated four dry cleaning shops that used these alternative solvents. The shops were staffed by Korean- and Cantonese-speaking owners, and Korean-, Cantonese-, and Spanish-speaking employees. Because most workers had limited English proficiency we used language services in our evaluations. In two shops we collected personal and area air samples for butylal. We also collected air samples for formaldehyde and butanol, potential hydrolysis products of butylal. Because there are no occupational exposure limits for butylal, we assessed employee health risks using control banding tools. In the remaining two shops we collected personal and area air samples for high-flashpoint hydrocarbon solvents. In all shops the highest personal airborne exposures occurred when workers loaded and unloaded the dry cleaning machines and pressed dry cleaned fabrics. The air concentrations of formaldehyde and butanol in the butylal shops were well below occupational exposure limits. Likewise, the air concentrations of high-flashpoint hydrocarbons were also well below occupational exposure limits. However, we saw potential skin exposures to these chemicals. We provided recommendations on appropriate work practices and the selection and use of personal protective equipment. These recommendations were consistent with those derived using control banding tools for butylal. However, there is insufficient toxicological and health information to determine the safety of butylal in occupational settings. Independent evaluation of the toxicological properties of these alternative dry cleaning solvents, especially butylal, is urgently needed.

Hexavalent chromium and isocyanate exposures during military aircraft painting under crossflow ventilation.

Exposure control systems performance was investigated in an aircraft painting hangar. The ability of the ventilation system and respiratory protection program to limit worker exposures was examined through air sampling during painting of F/A-18C/D strike fighter aircraft, in four field surveys. Air velocities were measured across the supply filter, exhaust filter, and hangar midplane under crossflow ventilation. Air sampling conducted during painting process phases (wipe-down, primer spraying, and topcoat spraying) encompassed volatile organic compounds, total particulate matter, Cr[VI], metals, nitroethane, and hexamethylene diisocyanate, for two worker groups: sprayers and sprayer helpers ("hosemen"). One of six methyl ethyl ketone and two of six methyl isobutyl ketone samples exceeded the short term exposure limits of 300 and 75 ppm, with means 57 ppm and 63 ppm, respectively. All 12 Cr[VI] 8-hr time-weighted averages exceeded the recommended exposure limit of 1 µg/m3, 11 out of 12 exceeded the permissible exposure limit of 5 µg/m3, and 7 out of 12 exceeded the threshold limit value of 10 µg/m3, with means 38 µg/m3 for sprayers and 8.3 µg/m3 for hosemen. Hexamethylene diisocyanate means were 5.95 µg/m3 for sprayers and 0.645 µg/m3 for hosemen. Total reactive isocyanate group--the total of monomer and oligomer as NCO group mass--showed 6 of 15 personal samples exceeded the United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive workplace exposure limit of 20 µg/m3, with means 50.9 µg/m3 for sprayers and 7.29 µg/m3 for hosemen. Several exposure limits were exceeded, reinforcing continued use of personal protective equipment. The supply rate, 94.4 m3/s (200,000 cfm), produced a velocity of 8.58 m/s (157 fpm) at the supply filter, while the exhaust rate, 68.7 m3/s (146,000 cfm), drew 1.34 m/s (264 fpm) at the exhaust filter. Midway between supply and exhaust locations, the velocity was 0.528 m/s (104 fpm). Supply rate exceeding exhaust rate created re-circulations, turbulence, and fugitive emissions, while wasting energy. Smoke releases showing more effective ventilation here than in other aircraft painting facilities carries technical feasibility relevance.