A Sampling and Analytical Method for Simultaneously Assessing Multiple Organic Solvent Exposures for Plastic Material Printing Industry Workers

Received: February 4, 2013
Revised: April 17, 2013
Accepted: April 17, 2013
Download Citation: RIS|BibTeX|https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2013.02.0036  

Cite this article:
Chen, J.L., Yang, W.D., Tsai, P.J., Wang, S.M., Chen, C.H. and Wang, I.S. (2013). A Sampling and Analytical Method for Simultaneously Assessing Multiple Organic Solvent Exposures for Plastic Material Printing Industry Workers. Aerosol Air Qual. Res. 13: 1504-1511. https://doi.org/10.4209/aaqr.2013.02.0036

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to develop methodologies suitable for conducting multiple organic solvent exposure assessments for workers in plastic material printing industries. By reviewing the existing sampling and analytical methods for the seven organic solvents used in the industry (including isopropyl alcohol, 2-butanone, ethyl acetate, methyl isobutyl ketone, toluene, n-butyl acetate, and cyclohexanone), the coconut shell charcoal is suggested as the sorbent media for collecting samples and GC/FID is chosen as the instrument for chemical analyses. Both CS₂ + 5% (v/v) 1-butanol and CS₂ + 5% (v/v) isobutanol are proposed as candidate desorption reagents. Since the recovery rates obtained from the latter (83.47%–99.84%) were higher than those of the former (80.12%–98.00%), the latter was chosen in the present study. The linearity of all resultant calibration curves were found with r² ≥ 0.995, recovery rates (R) ≥ 75%, and corresponding coefficient of variations (CV) ≤ 7% for all target organic solvents. Results also suggest that collected samples should be stored at the –10°C environment and be analyzed within 30 days. Finally, suggestions are made for amending the storage temperatures and storage days currently promulgated in related NIOSH methods based on data obtained from present study. The proposed methodology would be beneficial to the plastic material printing industry for simultaneously assessing workers’ exposures to multiple organic solvents.

Keywords: Organic solvent; Multiple exposures; Plastic printing industry; Sampling method; Analytical method