Inhalation risk assessment of exposure to the selected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the facilities of a steel plant.
Concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were investigated in the workplace air of four processes: sintering, cokemaking, hot forming, and cold forming in an integrated iron and steel plant. In addition, the cancer risk was measured for workers in these 4 processes. Seven VOCs (chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, benzene, and ethylbenzene) were selected for cancer risk measurement. Trichloroethylene concentrations are high in the 4 processes, and carbon tetrachloride and tetrachloroethylene concentrations are high in both the cold and hot forming processes. The sequence of the total cancer risk of the 7 species was as follows: cokemaking > sintering > cold forming congruent with hot forming. About 66-93% of the cancer risk of the four processes was caused by trichloroethylene. The cancer risks (3.7 x 10(-3)-30 x 10(-3)) of the average VOC concentrations suggest that improvement of workplace air quality and protection of workers are necessary to reduce cancer risks.
Chiang
Hung L
HL
Department of Health Risk Management, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. hlchiang@mail.cmu.edu.tw
Lin
Wen H
WH
Lai
Jim S
JS
Wang
Wei C
WC
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008669:Metallurgy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013232:Steel; D014241:Trichloroethylene / Q000032:analysis; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D002273:Carcinogens; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D013232:Steel; D014241:Trichloroethylene