title: [Application of predictive model to estimate concentrations of chemical substances in the work environment].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Based on the Estimation and Assessment of Substance Exposure (EASE) predictive model implemented into the European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances (EUSES 2.1.), the exposure to three chosen organic solvents: toluene, ethyl acetate and acetone was estimated and compared with the results of measurements in workplaces.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prior to validation, the EASE model was pretested using three exposure scenarios. The scenarios differed in the decision tree of pattern of use. Five substances were chosen for the test: 1,4-dioxane tert-methyl-butyl ether, diethylamine, 1,1,1-trichloroethane and bisphenol A. After testing the EASE model, the next step was the validation by estimating the exposure level and comparing it with the results of measurements in the workplace. We used the results of measurements of toluene, ethyl acetate and acetone concentrations in the work environment of a paint and lacquer factory, a shoe factory and a refinery. Three types of exposure scenarios, adaptable to the description of working conditions were chosen to estimate inhalation exposure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparison of calculated exposure to toluene, ethyl acetate and acetone with measurements in workplaces showed that model predictions are comparable with the measurement results. Only for low concentration ranges, the measured concentrations were higher than those predicted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EASE is a clear, consistent system, which can be successfully used as an additional component of inhalation exposure estimation. If the measurement data are available, they should be preferred to values estimated from models. In addition to inhalation exposure estimation, the EASE model makes it possible not only to assess exposure-related risk but also to predict workers' dermal exposure.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Informacji Naukowej, Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera, Łódź. dobecka@imp.lodz.pl
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kupczewska-Dobecka
authors.forename: Sławomir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Czerczak
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jakubowski
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maciaszek
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Janasik
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000032:analysis; D000096:Acetone / Q000032:analysis; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005062:European Union; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011044:Poland; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014050:Toluene / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000096:Acetone; D014050:Toluene; C007650:ethyl acetate