Jae-Kil Jang

Characteristics of Occupational Exposure to Benzene during Turnaround in the Petrochemical Industries

Objectives The level of benzene exposure in the petrochemical industry during regular operation has been well established, but not in turnaround (TA), where high exposure may occur. In this study, the characteristics of occupational exposure to benzene during TA in the petrochemical companies were investigated in order to determine the best management strategies and improve the working environment. This was accomplished by evaluating the exposure level for the workers working in environments where benzene was being produced or used as an ingredient during the unit process. Methods From 2003 to 2008, a total of 705 workers in three petrochemical companies in Korea were studied. Long- and short-term (< 1 hr) samples were taken during TAs. TA was classified into three stages: shut-down, maintenance and start-up. All works were classified into 12 occupation categories. Results The long-term geometric mean (GM) benzene exposure level was 0.025 (5.82) ppm (0.005-42.120 ppm) and the short-term exposure concentration during TA was 0.020 (17.42) ppm (0.005-61.855 ppm). The proportions of TA samples exceeding the time-weighted average, occupational exposure level (TWA-OEL in Korea, 1 ppm) and the short-term exposure limit (STEL-OEL, 5 ppm) were 4.1% (20 samples of 488) and 6.0% (13 samples of 217), respectively. The results for the benzene exposure levels and the rates of exceeding the OEL were both statistically significant (p < 0.05). Among the 12 job categories of petrochemical workers, mechanical engineers, plumbers, welders, fieldman and scaffolding workers exhibited long-term samples that exceeded the OEL of benzene, and the rate of exceeding the OEL was statistically significant for the first two occupations (p < 0.05). Conclusion These findings suggest that the periodic work environment must be assessed during non-routine works such as TA.

Exposure characteristics of construction painters to organic solvents

Background Construction painters have not been studied well in terms of their hazards exposure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the exposure levels of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) for painters in the construction industry. Methods Activity-specific personal air samplings were carried out in three waterproofing activities [polyurethane (PU), asphalt, and cement mortar] and three painting activities (epoxy, oil based, and water based) by using organic-vapor-monitor passive-sampling devices. Gas chromatograph with flame ionization detector could be used for identifying and quantifying individual organic chemicals. The levels of TVOCs, by summing up 15 targeted substances, were expressed in exposure-index (EI) values. Results As arithmetic means in the order of concentration levels, the EIs of TVOCs in waterproofing works were 10.77, 2.42, 1.78, 1.68, 0.47, 0.07, and none detected (ND) for indoor PU-primer task, outdoor PU-primer task, outdoor PU-resin task, indoor PU-resin task, asphalt-primer task, asphalt-adhesive task, and cement-mortar task, respectively. The highest EI for painting works was 5.61 for indoor epoxy-primer task, followed by indoor epoxy-resin task (2.03), outdoor oil-based-spray-paint task (1.65), outdoor water-based-paint task (0.66), and indoor oil-based-paint task (0.15). Assuming that the operations were carried out continuously for 8 hours without breaks and by using the arithmetic means of EIs for each of the 12 tasks in this study, 58.3% (7 out of 12) exceeded the exposure limit of 100% (EI > 1.0), while 8.3% (1 out of 12) was in 50–100% of exposure limit (0.5 > EI > 1.0), and 4 tasks out of 12 were located in less than 50% of the limit range (EI < 0.5). Conclusion From this study, we recognized that construction painters are exposed to various solvents, including carcinogens and reproductive toxins, and the levels of TVOC concentration in many of the painting tasks exceeded the exposure limits. Construction workers need to be protected from chemical agents during their painting works by using personal protective devices and/or work practice measures. Additional studies should focus on the exposure assessment of other hazards for construction workers, in order to identify high-risk tasks and to improve hazardous work environments.

Cancer incidence and mortality among temporary maintenance workers in a refinery/petrochemical complex in Korea

Abstract Background: Petrochemical plant maintenance workers are exposed to various carcinogens such as benzene and metal fumes. In Korea, maintenance operations in petrochemical plants are typically performed by temporary employees hired as contract workers. Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate cancer risk in temporary maintenance workers in a refinery/petrochemical complex in Korea. Methods: Subjects consisted of 14 698 male workers registered in a regional petrochemical plant maintenance workers union during 2002–2007. Cancer mortality and incidence were identified by linking with the nationwide death and cancer registries during 2002–2007 and 2002–2005, respectively. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for each cancer. Results: Increased SMR 3·61 (six cases, 95% CI: 1·32–7·87) and SIR 3·18 (five cases, 95% CI: 1·03–7·42) were observed in oral and pharyngeal cancers. Conclusion: Our findings may suggest a potential association between oral and pharyngeal cancers and temporary maintenance jobs in the petrochemical industry. Future studies should include a longer follow-up period and a quantitative exposure assessment.

Noise Generation Characteristic for Tunnel Construction Equipments

Workers engaged in construction works have been exposed to high levels of noise during their work in tunnels. Noise is one of the major health hazards for employees working in construction sites. The aim of this study is to evaluate the noise levels generating from tunneling equipments such as jumbo drills, backhoes, payloaders, shotcrete machines and service cars. Explosion and turbo fan noises were also monitored. A high precision sound level meter was introduced for measuring LAeq, LAFmax, LAFmin and LCpeak noises in 5 tunneling work sites that were located in Seoul, Kyunggi-do and Kangwon-do areas with NATM and shield methods. The highest noise was recorded by explosion(151.9 dB LCpeak) followed by jumbo drills of higher than 110 dB(A) LAeq. Backhoe normally generated 90~110 dB(A) LAeq while breaking work of rock showed additional around 5~15 dB(A). Noise exposure levels for payloader and shotcrete machine scored more than 90 dB(A) which might be a source of noise-induced hearing loss. Additional research in revealing noise levels from construction equipments operating in tunneling works may enhance the protection of workers who exposed to noise primarily at the sites.Workers engaged in construction works have been exposed to high levels of noise during their work in tunnels. Noise is one of the major health hazards for employees working in construction sites. The aim of this study is to evaluate the noise levels generating from tunneling equipments such as jumbo drills, backhoes, payloaders, shotcrete machines and service cars. Explosion and turbo fan noises were also monitored. A high precision sound level meter was introduced for measuring LAeq, LAFmax, LAFmin and LCpeak noises in 5 tunneling work sites that were located in Seoul, Kyunggi-do and Kangwon-do areas with NATM and shield methods. The highest noise was recorded by explosion(151.9 dB LCpeak) followed by jumbo drills of higher than 110 dB(A) LAeq. Backhoe normally generated 90~110 dB(A) LAeq while breaking work of rock showed additional around 5~15 dB(A). Noise exposure levels for payloader and shotcrete machine scored more than 90 dB(A) which might be a source of noise-induced hearing loss. Additional research in revealing noise levels from construction equipments operating in tunneling works may enhance the protection of workers who exposed to noise primarily at the sites.

Amines as occupational hazards for visual disturbance

Various amines, such as triethylamine and N,N-dimethylethylamine, have been reported to cause glaucopsia in workers employed in epoxy, foundry, and polyurethane foam industries. This symptom has been related to corneal edema and vesicular collection of fluid within the corneal subepithelial cells. Exposure to amine vapors for 30 min to several hours leads to blurring of vision, a blue-grey appearance of objects, and halos around lights, that are probably reversible. Concentration-effect relationships have been established. The visual disturbance is considered a nuisance, as it could cause onsite accidents, impair work efficiency, and create difficulties in driving back home. Occupational exposure limits have been established for some amines, but there is shortage of criteria. Volatility factors, such as vapor pressure, should be considered in industrial settings to prevent human ocular risks, while trying to reduce levels of hazardous amines in the atmosphere.

Exposure Characteristics to Noise Among Tunnel Construction Workers

The noise levels of workers in tunnel sites are likely to be high because tunneling work places are confined space. However, research on the noise exposure levels of tunneling workers have not been performed intensively due to restricted accessibility to tunnel construction sites. The aim of this study is to evaluate the noise exposure levels for workers engaged in tunneling work sites. Noise dosimeters were used for monitoring workers` noise exposure level in 5 tunneling work sites in accordance with the Notification of the Ministry of Labor. Among 5 tunneling work sites, 4 of them used NATM tunneling method and 1 work site used shield TBM tunneling method. The average noise exposure levels of NATM tunneling workers was 81.1 dB(A) and 15.4 % of the workers` noise level were exposed more than 90 dB(A) which is the exposure limit value. In Shield TBM tunneling method, 4.3 % of the workers were exposed more than 90 dB(A) of noise level, the average noise exposure levels of TBM tunneling workers was 84.1 dB(A).

Assessment on the Actual Vibration Exposure of Workers Engaging in Vibration Induced Works

In Korea, researches on the exposure assessment of the hand-transmitted vibration started from the mid-90, however, they were performed in the limited industries such as auto-assembly plants and the evaluation of the vibration was mostly conducted by ISO 5349(1986). Therefore, it was necessary to assess hand-transmitted vibration levels of workplace such as ship building/repairing industry or mining industry where occupational injuries are largely occurred and to evaluate the vibration levels using revised ISO 5349(2001). The SVAN 948 Four Channels Sound & Vibration Analyser was used for the measurement. The workers using a chain saw were exposed to 1.7~2.8 of daily vibration level. Workers using a rock drill in a coal mining were exposed to the highest vibration acceleration among workers and the levels were 7.1~10.8 . Vibration levels of grinders were different according to the types of grinders. The hand-transmitted vibration of 3 types of grinders were measured and the levels were 3.3~11.1 . Workers using a impact wrench were exposed to 1.5~1.6 of vibration. Out of 20 kinds of machines, only 4 tools provided the information of vibration acceleration on the instructions. In addition, the current condition of workplace to control vibration was not much different from the past because there are no vibration exposure limit.

Comparison of personal air benzene and urine t,t -muconic acid as a benzene exposure surrogate during turnaround maintenance in petrochemical plants

Previous studies have shown that biomarkers of chemicals with long half-lives may be better surrogates of exposure for epidemiological analyses, leading to less attenuation of the exposure-disease association, than personal air samples. However, chemicals with short half-lives have shown inconsistent results. In the present study, we compared pairs of personal air benzene and its short-half-life urinary metabolite trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA), and predicted attenuation bias of theoretical exposure-disease association. Total 669 pairs of personal air benzene and urine t,t-MA samples were taken from 474 male workers during turnaround maintenance operations held in seven petrochemical plants. Maintenance jobs were classified into 13 groups. Variance components were calculated for personal air benzene and urine t,t-MA separately to estimate the attenuation of the theoretical exposure-disease association. Personal air benzene and urine t,t-MA showed similar attenuation of the theoretical exposure-disease association. Analyses for repeated measurements showed similar results, while in analyses for values above the limits of detection (LODs), urine t,t-MA showed less attenuation of the theoretical exposure-disease association than personal air benzene. Our findings suggest that there may be no significant difference in attenuation bias when personal air benzene or urine t,t-MA is used as a surrogate for benzene exposure.

0079 Characteristics of particle size distribution in concrete finishing work

It is known that workers at construction sites are exposed to the risk of dust containing crystalline silica while crushing concrete, grinding concrete surfaces, cutting bricks, cutting rocks, and ballasting structures. This study was conducted to identify size-distribution of crystalline silica among concrete finishers in the construction industry to establish systemized management for the construction sites. In order to measure the size of dust, a Personal Cascade Impactor (Model 298, Anderson Sampler Inc., USA) composed of an 8-stage impact board was used. Dust was weighed three times using an electronic balance with 10–7 g readability(XP2U, Mettler toledo,Switzerland) to acquire the mean value. Crystalline silica was analysed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) in accordance with the NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods of NIOSH #7602. To calculate the mass fraction of dust for each size of dust particle, ACGIH’s Particle size-Selective Sampling Criteria for Airborne Particulate Matter was used. The results of weighing dust collected from each stage and a cumulative graph was illustrated from the stage with the smallest particle size (stage, 0.52 μm or smaller) to draw the trend line and find the median diameter of mass using the effective diameter limit corresponding to 50% cumulative probability. Then, it was 10.958 μm~12.206 μm for concrete chipping and 10.462μm~11.476 μm for concrete grinding. Considering the proportion of crystalline silica in the dust from each stage, crystalline silica content was higher for smaller particle sizes. The content was particularly high in stage 6 (1.55~3.5 μm) and stage 8 (0.52~0.93 μm).

Workers` Possible Exposure Hazards in Solar Energy Industries

Renewable energy industries, including sola cell plants, has been ever increasing ones for reducing fossil fuel consumption and strengthening national energy policy. In this paper we tried to identify occupational health hazards in solar cell-related industries operated in Korea. Poly silicon, silicon ingot and wafer, solar cell and module are major processes for producing solar cells. Poly silicon operations may cause hazards to workers from metal silicon, silanes, silicon, hydro fluoric acid and nitric acid. Solar cells could not be constructed without using metals such as aluminum and silver, acids such as hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid, bases such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, and solvent and phosphorus chloride oxide. Workers in module assembly process may exposed to isopropanol, flux, solders that contain lead, tin and/or copper. To prevent occupational exposure to these hazards, it is essential to identify the hazards in each process and educate workers in industries with proper engineering and administrative control measures.