title: Sulfuric acid at workplaces--applicability of the new Indicative Occupational Exposure Limit Value (IOELV) to thoracic particles.
abstract: Until 2009, the limit values for airborne sulfuric acid in Europe were based on the inhalable particle fraction (e.g. MAK (Maximum allowed concentration at workplace) value 0.1 mg m(-3) as the inhalable fraction). With the publication of the Commission Directive 2009/161/EU, an Indicative Occupational Exposure Limit Value (IOELV) of 0.05 mg m(-3) for sulfuric acid aerosols was based for the first time on the thoracic particle fraction. To permit a comparison of the measured values for the inhalable fraction with those of the thoracic fraction and to quantify the thoracic fraction, a cyclone was fabricated out of sulfuric-acid-resistant stainless steel that achieves suitable collection characteristics (PM(10)) at a flow rate of 5.34 L min(-1). 49 measurements were carried out in parallel in 21 companies. At concentrations well below the IOELV, there is little difference between the thoracic and inhalable particle concentrations. At higher concentrations (>0.1 mg m(-3) inhalable aerosol), larger droplets have a marked effect on the measured values and the thoracic fraction accounts for only 32.1 ± 12.5% of the inhalable fraction. The EU's IOELV and the proposal of the MAK Commission therefore provide a comparable level of protection. In the transposition of the IOELV into national law, an air limit of 0.1 mg m(-3) could therefore be implemented for the inhalable fraction.
authors.affiliation: IFA, Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurances, Alte Heerstrasse 111, Sankt Augustin 53757, Germany. dietmar.breuer@dguv.de
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Breuer
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Heckmann
authors.forename: Krista
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gusbeth
authors.forename: Gregoria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schwab
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blaskowitz
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moritz
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004595:Electroplating; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D013464:Sulfuric Acids