Title
Evaluating exposures to complex mixtures of chemicals during a new production process in the plastics industry
Author
Meijster, T.
Burstyn, I.
van Wendel de Joode, B.
Posthumus, M.A.
Kromhout, H.
TNO Voeding
Publication year
2004
Abstract
The goal of this study was to monitor emission of chemicals at a factory where plastics products were fabricated by a new robotic (impregnated tape winding) production process. Stationary and personal air measurements were taken to determine which chemicals were released and at what concentrations. Principal component analyses (PCA) and linear regression were used to determine the emission sources of different chemicals found in the air samples. We showed that complex mixtures of chemicals were released, but most concentrations were below Dutch exposure limits. Based on the results of the principal component analyses, the chemicals found were divided into three groups. The first group consisted of short chain aliphatic hydrocarbons (C2-C6). The second group included larger hydrocarbons (C9-C11) and some cyclic hydrocarbons. The third group contained all aromatic and two aliphatic hydrocarbons. Regression analyses showed that emission of the first group of chemicals was associated with cleaning activities and the use of epoxy resins. The second and third group showed strong association with the type of tape used in the new tape winding process. High levels of CO and HCN (above exposure limits) were measured on one occasion when a different brand of impregnated polypropylene sulphide tape was used in the tape winding process. Plans exist to drastically increase production with the new tape winding process. This will cause exposure levels to rise and therefore further control measures should be installed to reduce release of these chemicals.
Subject
Chemistry Safety
Food and Chemical Risk Analysis
Air sampling
Exposure assessment
Plastics production
Principal component analysis
Thermal degradation
Thermoplastics
Complex mixtures
Cyclic hydrocarbons
Air
Hydrocarbons
Principal component analysis
Regression analysis
Winding
Plastic products
aliphatic hydrocarbon
aromatic hydrocarbon
carbon monoxide
cyanic acid
industrial chemical
propylene sulfide
sulfide
unclassified drug
air monitoring
air sampling
cleaning
degradation
environmental monitoring
evaluation
linear regression analysis
plastic industry
principal component analysis
thermal analysis
Air Pollutants, Occupational
Chemical Industry
Environmental Monitoring
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Humans
Occupational Exposure
Plastics
Principal Component Analysis
Robotics
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:16013c30-a955-47a4-bd3a-51e8bf138b31
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/meh048
TNO identifier
237921
ISSN
0003-4878
Source
Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 48 (6), 499-507
Document type
article