The importance of controlling short term exposures to solvents.
Knowledge of short term, task specific sources of exposure is becoming more important as, for many industries these represent the dominant source of exposure over the whole eight hour shift period. For solvents, workers can be exposed to very high peak or short term exposures, yet still be below the relevant occupational exposure limit. This article explains the importance of understanding short term exposures to solvents, and suggests that our appreciation of chronic ill health should go beyond total dose, and that any periods of high exposure should be controlled as far as reasonably practicable. It also shows that a better understanding of these exposures helps to target control measures and can reduce process running costs.
Stear
Martin
M
Principal Specialist Inspector (Occupational Hygiene), Health and Safety Executive, HSE, Room 319, Magdalen House, Stanley Precinct, Bootle, Merseyside L20 3QZ, UK.