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

Jin-Luh Chen; Wein-Duo Yang; Perng-Jy Tsai; Shi-Min Wang; Ching-Hwa Chen; I-Sen Wang

doi:10.4209/aaqr.2013.02.0036

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

Jin-Luh Chen¹^,2, Wein-Duo Yang¹, Perng-Jy Tsai ³^,4, Shi-Min Wang³, Ching-Hwa Chen⁴, I-Sen Wang⁵

¹Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, 415 Chien-kung Road, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
²Labor Standards Inspection Office of Kaohsiung City, 117 Dapi Road, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
³Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, 92 Shieh-Shi Road, Taichung, Taiwan
⁴Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Medical College, National Cheng Kung University, 138 Sheng-li Road, Tainan, Taiwan
⁵W&F Environmental Technology Corporation, Fl. 3, 10 Dien-yang Street, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

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

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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

ABSTRACT

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