title: Control of workers' exposure to xylene in a pesticide production factory.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute and chronic exposure to xylene can result in a range of negative health effects. However, xylene is widely used and emitted in the air of workplaces.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate xylene vapor concentrations to guide the design and evaluation of a local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system to reduce exposure in a pesticide production factory.
  
  
  METHODS
  A real time volatile organic compound (VOC) monitor was used to determine the workers' time-weighted average (TWA) exposure. A LEV system was designed, and then, workers' exposure to xylene vapor was evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that worker's exposure to xylene (4·7±5·5 ppm) was lower than the standards recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and the Occupational safety and health administration (OSHA). Despite the low TWA exposures, the short-term exposures for some workers were higher than STEL levels. Three canopy hoods were designed and installed with capture velocities of 0·508 m second(-1) and duct velocity of 10·16 m second(-1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that an exhaust ventilation system had a significantly reduced occupational exposure to xylene vapor.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohammadyan
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Baharfar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D014691:Ventilation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D017132:Workplace; D014992:Xylenes / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D010575:Pesticides; D014992:Xylenes
keywords: Industrial ventilation,; Pesticide factory,; Workers’ exposure,; Xylene