• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.113-126
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• 2009

In the recent years, health effect of dimethylformamide(DMF) has been one of critical industrial hygiene issues. There might be many factors to increase the exposure level of DMF. Among those factors, industrial ventilation would be one of the main factors. In this study, industrial ventilation systems of printing processes in synthetic leather factories were thoroughly surveyed and the improved ventilation systems were proposed. 7 synthetic leather factories were selected for this study. After the ventilation systems were visually inspected, each component of the system was tested by using the appropriate instruments. Hood face velocities, fan exhaust flow rates, fan static pressures, fan rotation rates, etc were measured. In addition, flow visualization techniques were used to observe flow patten around hoods and inside the factory buildings. After gathering all qualitative and quantitative information, the test results were analysed to see if any improvement might be necessary. For the system to be improved, the re-design plans were made by using computational fluid dynamics softwares. The softwares used in this study were AIRPAK and STAR-CD. The effectiveness of the several improvement options were tested, then the best cost effective option was selected. Finally, the standard ventilation systems were proposed to minimize the exposure levels of DMF.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.225-235
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• 2010

This study was aimed to assess the status of working environment, health care management status and cause of exposure in manufactories using dimethylformamide (DMF). For the purpose, airborne concentration of DMF in the workplaces and N-methylformamide (NMF) in worker's urine were measured with job type and process. In addition, management of local exhaust ventilation system (LEV) and personal protective equipment (PPE) was evaluated at 35 work places (107 workers) located in Busan and Gimhae area. Mean DMF concentrations in work places by job type and process were of high level measured in printing and record media reproduction (5.23 ppm) and flaking process (2.48 ppm). Workers in adhesive job were measured a large amount of urine NMF (21.59 mg/${\ell}$). 98.1% of DMF handling workers were provided respirators, but 67.3% of those workers used them. The main reasons for not using respirators were inconvenience and difficulty of breathing. Airborne concentrations of DMF were higher in the workplaces in which LEVs were working abnormally, but there was not statistically significant. In addition, the urine NMF levels were correlated with management of LEV within the workers who did not use the respirators (p<0.048). These results implied that LEV should be installed and maintained properly to protect the workers from the exposure to DMF. Management of PPE should be also necessary to protect the workers from chemical hazards.