Assessment of total exposure to phenol-formaldehyde resin glue in plywood manufacturing.
OBJECTIVE
Respiratory and dermal exposure to phenol-formaldehyde resin-glue components used in plywood manufacturing were assessed.


METHODS
Formaldehyde and phenol were monitored in the workplace air. Formaldehyde was measured both in the breathing zones of the workers and at stationary sampling sites. Phenol was used as a marker agent for dermal exposure due to its near-nonvolatility at the temperatures occurring during the present study and to its ready absorption through the skin, causing systemic exposure in addition to local skin rashes. Sampling and analytical methods were developed to measure the dermal exposure to phenol. Sampling was accomplished with whole-body dosimetry using Tyvek coveralls and cotton gloves. In addition, a liquid chromatography method was developed for the analysis of phenol from dermal exposure samples.


RESULTS
As expected, formaldehyde was noted to be the major compound causing respiratory exposure. When exposure assessment was done on the basis of air samples collected both at stationary sampling sites and in the breathing zones of the workers the agreement between the results obtained was good. The dermal sampling revealed that the workers were exposed to phenol, but the risk for toxic effects was slight due to the low concentrations of urinary phenol.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that it is possible to use the stationary sampling method for the assessment of respiratory exposure in a plywood factory instead of the usually more complicated breathing-zone sampling. This study also demonstrates the importance of taking dermal exposure into account, at least due to the ability of the resins to cause skin rashes, in assessment of the exposure to chemicals in plywood manufacturing.
Mäkinen
M
M
Kuopio Regional Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 93, FIN-70701 Kuopio, Finland. milja.makinen@occuphealth.fi
Kalliokoski
P
P
Kangas
J
J
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D005076:Exanthema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D008297:Male; D008420:Manufactured Materials; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D010636:Phenols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000652:urine; D011108:Polymers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D012117:Resins, Synthetic / Q000032:analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D014934:Wood
D004202:Disinfectants; D010636:Phenols; D011108:Polymers; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D005557:Formaldehyde; C011529:phenol-formaldehyde resin