1. A survey of airborne and skin exposures to chemicals in footwear and equipment factories in Thailand.
- Author
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Todd LA, Mottus K, and Mihlan GJ
- Subjects
- Aerosols analysis, Air Pollutants, Occupational standards, Female, Foot, Humans, Isocyanates isolation & purification, Male, Occupational Exposure standards, Organic Chemicals isolation & purification, Protective Clothing, Thailand, Ventilation methods, Ventilation standards, Air Pollutants, Occupational analysis, Environmental Monitoring methods, Occupational Exposure analysis, Shoes, Skin, Textile Industry
- Abstract
This research reports on a pilot industrial hygiene study that was performed at four footwear factories and two equipment factories in Thailand. Workers in these factories were exposed through inhalation and dermal contact to a large number of organic vapors from solvents and cements that were hand applied. In addition, these workers were exposed to highly toxic isocyanates primarily through the dermal route. A total of 286 personal air samples were obtained at the four footwear factories using organic vapor monitors; individual job tasks were monitored using a real-time MIRAN Spectrometer. A total of 64 surface, tool, or hand samples were monitored for isocyanates using surface contamination detectors. Real-time measurements were also obtained for organic vapors in two equipment factories. From 8% to 21% of the workers sampled in each footwear factory were overexposed to mixtures of chemicals from solvents and cements. Up to 100% of the workers performing specific job tasks were overexposed to mixtures of chemicals. From 39% to 69% of the surface samples were positive for unreacted isocyanates. Many of the real-time measurements obtained in the equipment factories exceeded occupational exposure limits. Personal protective equipment and engineering controls were inadequate in all of the factories.
- Published
- 2008
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