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

Korean Industrial Hygiene Association (한국산업보건학회)
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Strengthening the Occupational Exposure Limit for 1-Bromopropane according to the Results of Epidemiological Studies and Exposure Status

1-브로모프로판의 노출 실태와 역학조사에 따른 노출기준 강화에 관한 연구

  • Ha, Kwonchul (Department of Biochemistry and Health Science, Changwon National University) ;
  • Kim, Seung Won (Faculty of Major in Public Health, Keimyung University) ;
  • Phee, Young Gyu (Faculty of Health Science, Daegu Haany University) ;
  • Lee, Naroo (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency)
  • 하권철 (창원대학교 생명보건학부) ;
  • 김승원 (계명대학교 공중보건학전공) ;
  • 피영규 (대구한의대학교 보건학부) ;
  • 이나루 (한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원)
  • Received : 2020.09.08
  • Accepted : 2020.09.28
  • Published : 2020.09.30
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Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to propose revision of the occupational exposure limit(OEL) for 1-Bromopropane(1-BP) following a review of the appropriateness of the standard in light of increasing epidemiological data and handling risk. Materials and Methods: The results of toxicity and epidemiologic investigations for 1-BP and agencies' OELs were compared and reviewed through a literature review. In order to investigate the status of 1-BP handling in South Korea, data from work environment actual condition survey results and work environment measurement results were used. Results: The toxicity of 1-BP, such as central nervous system(CNS) damage, peripheral neuropathy, hematological adverse effects, and developmental and reproductive toxicity(male and female) has been reported. ACGIH recommends 0.1 ppm as a TLV-TWA value, but the OEL of South Korea stands at 25 ppm, which is 250 times higher than the TLV-TWA. Although 1-BP is a specially managed substance under the Industrial Safety and Health Law, the currently applied OEL cannot be said to be a safe level based on the results of epidemiological studies to date. In a work environment measurement in 2017, the total number of samples was 626, which were derived from 78 industries, and the average concentration was 1.173 ppm(standard deviation 2.88). Conclusions: To protect the health of workers handling 1-BP, estimated to be 780 in South Korea, it is necessary to strengthen the OEL(TWA) to a level of 0.3 ppm(lower than the 0.34 ppm with known toxic effects), which is believed to be safe as a result of epidemiological investigation. "Skin" notation should be recommended.

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