Title
Exposure to styrene and health complaints in the Dutch glass-reinforced plastics industry
Author
Geuskens, R.B.M.
van der Klaauw, M.M.
van der Tuin, J.
van Hemmen, J.J.
Medisch Biologisch Laboratorium TNO
Publication year
1992
Abstract
A study of the health hazards for workers exposed to styrene in the Dutch glass-reinforced plastics industry was undertaken. The open mould techniques of filament winding, spraying and hand laminating were chosen for study because exposure of workers using them was expected to be high. Occupational hygiene surveys were conducted in four plants. In addition to measurements of exposure, data on health complaints were collected. In 12 smaller plants exposure was estimated in walk-through surveys. The results show that although most of the plants had implemented control measures such as ventilation and extraction, the levels or exposure constituted a health risk. Time-weighted average concentrations for workers involved in filament winding ranged from 134 to 716 mg m-3, for those who were spraying from 48 to 602 mg m-3 and for those laminating manually from 18 to 538 mg m-3. The 'no-adverse-effect level' based on effects observed in man is considered to be 105 mg m-3, and the acute subjective health effects experienced by the population studied supported this value. To reduce exposure to below 105 mg m-3, control measures should combine engineering with codes of practice adapted to the particular process or processes employed. Chemicals/CAS: styrene, 100-42-5; Glass; Plastics; Styrene, 100-42-5; Styrenes
Subject
Biology
Industrial Hygiene - Netherlands
Plastics Industry - Netherlands
Plastics, Reinforced - Glass Fiber
Risk Studies - Occupational Risks
Styrene - Health Hazards
Exposure to Styrene
Glass Reinforced Plastics Industry
No Adverse Effect Level
Open Mould Techniques
Plastics Plants
Glass
Plastic
Styrene
Air quality control
Extraction
Health hazard
Health survey
Human
Major clinical study
Male
Netherlands
Occupational disease
Occupational exposure
Plastic industry
Vapor
Environmental Monitoring
Glass
Human
Maximum Allowable Concentration
Netherlands
Occupational Diseases
Occupations
Plastics
Questionnaires
Styrene
Styrenes
Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:18b818a2-0492-4102-bde2-165ffecb5d42
TNO identifier
231846
ISSN
0003-4878
Source
Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 36 (1), 47-57
Document type
article