US EPA

3491294 

Book/Book Chapter 

Perception of occupational risk exposure to Xylene, Ethylbenzene and Toluene by workers of furniture industry 

Pedro, M; Dias Teixeira, M 

2016 

Occupational Safety and Hygiene IV 

Taylor & Francis Group 

London 

Occupational Safety and Hygiene IV 

423-426 

English 

10.1201/b21172-82 

WOS:000385237800081 

The organic solvents are specific properties of each chemical group that makes other toxicological characteristics, with consequent effects on health. Some substances in paints, varnishes and plugged pores in the furniture surface treatment sector are xylene, toluene and ethylbenzene. The study of perception and risk of occupational exposure to xylene, toluene and ethylbenzene by workers of furniture factories in the districts of Aveiro, Coimbra and Viseu, intends to separately evaluate the perceived risk and real risk of exposure to these chemicals in the workplace. The cross-sectional study using a questionnaire was applied in April and May of 2014 to workers of furniture factories, with a sample of 142 respondents from 28 companies. The results of this study show that 55% use the suction booths without proper maintenance. 49% does not always use protective masks. When the protection masks are used, these are not suitable for organic solvents. They indicated also suffering from upper respiratory tract irritation (45%). The ambient air samples were collected between July and November 2014 were held 108 crops air for the determination of toluene, xylene and ethylbenzene. The results of measurements of concentrations of COV's in different companies showed that the arithmetic mean of certain concentrations was 51 ppm for toluene, ethylbenzene to 23 ppm and 57 ppm for xylene isomers. The workers have no real perception of the risks they are exposed. Environmental levels of xylene and toluene exceed the exposure limits established in Decree Law 24/2012. 

Volatile organic compounds (COV's); furniture; toluene; xylene; ethylbenzene 

Arezes, PM; Baptista, JS; Barroso, MP; Carneiro, P; Cordeiro, P; Costa, N; Melo, RB; Miguel, AS; Perestrelo, G 

978-1-138-02942-2 

12th International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene of Portuguese Society of Occupational Safety and Hygiene(SHO) 

Guimaraes, Portugal 

MAR 23-24, 2016