Abstract
Objectives: The major objective of this study was to develop and validate a tier 1 exposure model utilizing worker exposure monitoring data and characteristics of worker activities routinely performed at construction sites, in order to estimate worker exposures without sampling. Methods: The Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals(REACH) system of the European Union(EU) allows the usage of exposure models for anticipating chemical exposure of manufacturing workers and consumers. Several exposure models have been developed such as Advanced REACH Tools(ART). The ART model is based on structured subjective assessment model. Using the same framework, a tier 1 exposure model has been developed. Worker activities at construction sites have been analyzed and modifying factors have been assigned for each activity. Korean Occupational Safety and Health Agency(KOSHA) accrued work exposure monitoring data for the last 10 years, which were retrieved and converted into exposure scores. A separate set of sampling data were collected to validate the developed exposure model. These algorithm have been realized on Excel spreadsheet for convenience and easy access. Results: The correlation coefficient of the developed model between exposure scores and monitoring data was 0.36, which is smaller than those of EU models(0.6~0.7). One of the main reasons explaining the discrepancy is poor description on worker activities in KOSHA database. Conclusions: The developed tier 1 exposure model can help industrial hygienists judge whether or not air sampling is required or not.
