• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.134-152
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• 2020

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toluene diisocyanates (TDIs) exposure among polyurethane waterproofing workers in the construction industry. Methods: Task-based personal air samplings were carried out at seven construction sites using organic vapor monitor for VOCs (n=88) and glass fiber filters coated with 1-(2-pyridyl)piperazine(1-2PP) for TDIs (n=81). The concentration of VOCs and TDIs were shown for four different work types(mixing paint, primer roller painting, urethane resin spread painting, painter assistant) at five different worksites (rooftop, ground parking lot, piloti, bathroom, and swimming pool). The two TDI sampling methods (filter vs impinger) were evaluated in parallel to compare the concentrations. Results: The geometric mean(GM) concentration of VOCs Exposure Index (EI) was highest for primer roller painting (1.4), followed in order by, urethane resin spread painting (0.85), mixing paint (0.53), and painter assistant (0.35) by work types. The GM of VOCs EI was highest for bathroom (1.4) followed in order by, swimming pool (0.85), piloti (0.89), ground parking lot (0.82) and rooftop (0.57) by worksites. The GM of 2,4-/2,6-TDI concentration was 0.052 ppb and 0.432 ppb each. There was no statistical difference in TDIs concentrations among worksites. The concentration of 2,6-TDI was ten times higher than that of 2,4-TDI. The concentration of 2,6-TDI by impinger method was 5.7 times higher than that by filter method. Conclusions: In this study, we found 38.6% of the VOCs samples exceeded the occupational exposure limits and 19.8% of the 2,6-TDI samples exceeded 1 ppb among polyurethane waterproofing workers. The most important determinants that increase the concentration of VOCs and TDIs was indoor environment and primer painting work.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2013

Objectives: The aim of this study is to present an appropriate sampling method for individual exposure assessment based on a comparison of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) concentrations collected through different sampling methods by work process type. Methods: Two plants handling TDIs in the Incheon area were selected. The samplings were taken during respective processes of spray painting, drying, grinding, and foaming, in which the production of TDIs took on different forms. For the sampling methods for airborne TDIs, open-face cassette holder, modified 2-piece cassette holder, and impinger were used, and the sampling was performed simultaneously at the same locations. Results: The comparison of TDI collection concentrations by each process depending on the sampling method showed high concentrations in the order of the impinger, modified 2-piece cassette holder, and open-face cassette holder for spray painting and foaming. In all processes with the exception of drying, TDI collection concentrations were higher for sampling done with the modified 2-piece cassette holder than with the open-face cassette holder. Conclusions: Based on these results, the modified 2-piece cassette holder was found to be a more appropriate sampling method than the open-face cassette holder when taking individual samples of TDIs from spray painting, grinding, and foaming processes. In particular, for individual exposure assessment of the spray painting process, which features comparatively high collection concentrations compared to the other processes, the use of a modified 2-piece cassette holder is considered appropriate.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.341-347
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• 2013

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in airborne TDI concentrations based on the filter collection method and liquid collection method and to compare airborne TDIs concentrations by sampling method change when using the filter collection method in the spray-painting process. Methods: For the sample measurement, the filter collection method(OSHA#42) and liquid collection method(NIOSH#5522) were used; for the sampling method, the full-period single sampling and full-period consecutive sampling methods were used. The samples were collected in spray-painting and drying process locations. Results: In all samples collected from the spray-painting and drying process locations through the filter collection and liquid collection methods, greater amounts of 2,6-TDI than 2,4-TDI were detected. When the TDI collection concentrations based on the sampling methods were compared, the concentrations of 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI collected by the consecutive sampling method were higher than the concentrations of 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI collected by the single sampling method for both the filter collection method and liquid collection method used in the spray-painting process. These differences were statistically significant. Conclusions: When TDI collection concentrations based on the sample measurement methods were compared, the concentration of 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI collected through the liquid collection method were higher than the concentrations of 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI collected by the filter collection method, and the differences were statistically significant. In the drying process, no difference was shown in the collection concentrations of 2,4-TDI and 2,6-TDI with the two measurement methods.