Evaluation of worker exposure to asphalt roofing fumes: influence of work practices and materials.
A field study was conducted on 42 asphalt-roofing workers at 7 built-up roofing sites across the United States. Sixteen out of 42 samples show levels of exposure to asphalt fumes that exceed the current American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists' (ACGIH)-recommended threshold limit value of 0.5 mg/m(3) as benzene extractable inhalable particulate. Statistically, the geometric mean of all 42 worker samples was 0.27 mg/m(3) (geometric standard deviation = 3.40), the average was 0.70 mg/m(3) (standard deviation = 1.69) and the median value was 0.24 mg/m(3). The impact of work practices is discussed including the use of a novel product that uses a polymer skin to reduce fumes from built up roofing asphalt. Its use resulted in a reduction of benzene soluble matter (BSM) of >70%. Other testing measures utilized included total particulate matter, total organic matter, simulated distillation, and fluorescence analysis. Additionally, a controlled pilot study using 16 kettle-area and 16 worker samples clearly showed that when the temperature of the kettle was reduced by 28 degrees C, there was a 38-59% reduction in fume exposure and a 54% reduction in fluorescence with standard asphalts. Reduction of BSM exposures using fuming-suppressed asphalt was also confirmed during this pilot plant study (81-92%), with fluorescence lowered by 88%. Confounding agents such as roof tear-off materials were also analyzed and their contribution to worker exposure is discussed.
Kriech
Anthony J
AJ
Heritage Research Group, 7901 West Morris Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46231, USA. tony.kriech@heritage-enviro.com
Osborn
Linda V
LV
Trumbore
David C
DC
Kurek
Joseph T
JT
Wissel
Herbert L
HL
Rosinski
Klaus D
KD
D003252:Construction Materials; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D017745:Incineration; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D007587:Job Description; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers; D014835:Volatilization
D006838:Hydrocarbons; D011108:Polymers; C006647:asphalt