Application of multiple occupational health risk assessment models in occupation health risk prediction of trichloroethylene in the electroplating and electronics industries.

Objectives. This study assessed the occupational health risks of work group exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) in the electroplating and electronics industries in China. Methods. The UK Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Essential, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Singapore and the Chinese semiquantitative risk assessment models were used to assess the risks of TCE. Twenty degreasing groups and 14 cleaning groups were recruited in the companies selected. Results. The concentrations of TCE in 66.7% of the cleaning groups and 35.0% of the degreasing groups exceeded the permissible concentration time-weighted average (PC-TWA) in China, and the concentrations of TCE in 100.0% of the cleaning groups and 70.0% of the degreasing groups exceeded the permissible concentration short-term exposure limit (PC-STEL) in China. Over 60.0% of the work groups were evaluated at high risk and over half of the work groups were evaluated at high cancer risk by the risk assessment models. Conclusion. Most work groups exposed to TCE in the electroplating and electronics industries in China are at high risk. The cleaning groups may have a higher risk for TCE exposure. The Chinese exposure index method and the synthesis index method are more practical than the other methods.

[Quantitative classification-based occupational health management for electroplating enterprises in Baoan District of Shenzhen, China].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the occupational health management levels in electroplating enterprises with quantitative classification measures and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of occupational hazards in electroplating enterprises and the protection of workers' health. METHODS: A quantitative classification table was created for the occupational health management in electroplating enterprises. The evaluation indicators included 6 items and 27 sub-items, with a total score of 100 points. Forty electroplating enterprises were selected and scored according to the quantitative classification table. These electroplating enterprises were classified into grades A, B, and C based on the scores. RESULTS: Among 40 electroplating enterprises, 11 (27.5%) had scores of >85 points (grade A), 23 (57.5%) had scores of 60∼85 points (grade B), and 6 (15.0%) had scores of <60 points (grade C). CONCLUSION: Quantitative classification management for electroplating enterprises is a valuable attempt, which is helpful for the supervision and management by the health department and provides an effective method for the self-management of enterprises.