Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene (한국산업보건학회지)

Korean Industrial Hygiene Association (한국산업보건학회)
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A Survey on Annual Exceedance Trends for the Domestic Permissible Exposure Limit for Benzene

벤젠의 국내 허용기준에 대한 연도별 초과 경향 연구

  • Lee, Kyunghwa (Department of Health Environmental safety, Eulji University) ;
  • Kim, Ki-Youn (Department of Safety Engineering, Seoul National University of Science & Technology)
  • 이경화 (을지대학교 보건환경안전과) ;
  • 김기연 (서울과학기술대학교 안전공학과)
  • Received : 2018.01.28
  • Accepted : 2018.05.09
  • Published : 2018.06.30
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Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the trend for exceedance of the domestic permissible exposure limit of benzene based on a review of the previous literature. Materials and methods: From among 13 chemical substances regulated through a PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) in the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the research object of this study is benzene. The information utilized is work environment measurement data from 2004 to 2013. The highest level among the concentration data measured at various workplaces was selected as a representative value through the data process. N.D. (Not Detected) data was considered as 1/2 of the LOD (limit of detection). Results: Among the work environment measurement data between 2004 and 2013, the highest number of exceeding workplaces and the excess rate (12 sites and 5.4%) was observed in the 2006 data when applying the current PEL for benzene. When compared with the action level, which means a level one-half of the PEL, 2005's data showed the highest number of exceeding workplaces and greatest excess rate (89 sites & 13.3%). The number of exceeding workplaces and excess rate relative to the PEL for benzene showed an increasing trend in 2004, but tended to decrease after 2007. Conclusions: Based on the results obtained from this study, the exposure level for benzene among domestic workers is not considered to be in a safe phase regardless of the year of work environment measurement. Thus, strict preventive management in workplaces should be provided for reducing exposure to benzene.

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