Assessment of Bagging Operators Exposure to with PVC Airborne Particulates

Dust consists of tiny solid particles carried by air currents. These particles are formed by many differentprocesses. One of these processes is polymerization of inert plastic such as Polyvinyl Chloride productionplant. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series requirements, section 4.4.6,occupational health and safety risks must be defined and controlled where needed. This field study wasconducted to evaluate the occupational exposure of packaging operators to airborne polyvinyl chloridedust in order to health risk assessment and recommend feasible controlling methods. The massconcentration of polyvinyl chloride particulate was measured in two fractions according to the particlesize that expressed as total and respirable particulates. The Air Sampling Methods, Methods for theDetermination of Hazardous Substances 14/3, of Health and Safety Executive were used as a standardsampling protocol. The average mass concentrations for respirable and total particulates were measured3.54±0.3 mg/m³ and 11.89±0.8 mg/m³ respectively. Also health risks of studied condition were estimatedas significant level, category one, therefore the risk must be reduced below the standard level. Accordingto the work requirements to reduce the emission rate and mitigate the health risk exposure, a local exhaustventilation system design was recommended for bag-filters of hopper tank.

Keywords
Polyvinyl chloride, personal sampling, total particles, respirable particles, chemical health risk