Abstract  On September 13, 1996, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a management request for a health hazard evaluation (HHE) at Cooper Engineered Products, in Bowling Green, Ohio. The request noted concerns about workers’ exposure to a new, two–component, water–based polyurethane paint (water–based polyurethane paint with polytetrafluoroethylene and a polyfunctional aziridine cross–linker) that is applied to automotive/truck rubber seals (vehicle sealing) on the dual durometer (DD) extrusion lines. Health effects described in the request included skin and upper respiratory problems. On October 16, 1996, NIOSH industrial hygienists conducted an initial site visit. Area air samples were collected on thermal desorption (TD) tube media to qualitatively identify volatile organic compounds (VOC). Bulk samples of the water–based polyurethane paint were also collected. A follow–up site visit was conducted on March 25–26, 1997, to collect additional air samples. On January 21, 1997, NIOSH medical officers conducted a site visit and questionnaire survey. In April and May 1997, skin patch testing was performed to identify employees with allergic contact dermatitis. N–methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) was used as a surrogate for exposure to the water–based polyurethane paint because it was a major component of the bulk paint samples and the TD tube air samples. Utility incentives (those who work at end of DD lines) who worked with the paint or in the paint booths (adjusting spray guns or changing filters) had mean inhalation exposures to NMP (0.15 parts per million [ppm]) almost 4 times greater than workers who did not work with paint (0.04 ppm). Inhalation exposures of operators to NMP were similar to those of utility incentives who did not work with the paint or paint booths. Workers in the DD department may also be exposed to low levels of propylene glycol, carbon disulfide, and xylenes. Area air samples were collected for isocyanates at various locations on the DD lines because the paint was made with a polyisocyanate. All air sample concentrations were below the minimum detectable concentration (MDC) of 1.6 :g/m3 . Area and personal breathing zone (PBZ) air samples were collected for n–nitrosamines on both cascade lines (salt baths) and two DD lines. All air sample concentrations were below 0.028 :g/m3 (MDC). Utility incentives were dermally exposed to irritants and a sensitizer in the paint, especially when working in the paint booths, changing filters, or adjusting the spray guns. Only one worker was observed wearing gloves. Two DD workers, both of whom had a history of work–related skin rashes, had skin reactions suggestive of allergy to accelerators present in the rubber used at Cooper. iv NIOSH investigators identified two DD workers allergic to accelerators present in the rubber. These workers may also have an irritant component to their skin problems. Workers were dermally exposed to irritants and a sensitizer in the water–based polyurethane paint when changing filters and adjusting the spray guns in the paint booths. Mean inhalation exposures to NMP were below 1 part per million, and all isocyanate concentrations were less than 1.6 :g/m3 (the MDC). Recommendations are made to minimize dermal exposures to rubber products, to decrease exposure to the irritants and sensitizer in the paint, and to provide a system for the evaluation, reporting, and surveillance of dermatologic conditions.

Abstract  Very low air velocities were measured in six occupied homes and one unoccupied house particularly when forced-air air-conditioning systems (i.e., HVAC) were turned off. Segregating the velocity data by monitoring site, median velocities of 4.2, 4.3, 10.2, and 12.4 cm/s were found in the master bedroom, basement, and kitchen of the six occupied homes and the dining/living room of the unoccupied house, respectively. In the occupied homes, the comparatively high velocities in the kitchens correlated with increased occupant activities and the use of ceiling and/or exhaust fans. Segregating the data by use of forced-air HVAC systems, the median velocities increased from 5.8 to 6.2, 3.2 to 5.7, 1.5 to 8.1, and 4.4 to 15.5. cm/s with HVAC operation in three occupied houses and one unoccupied house, respectively. The lowest median velocity of 1.1 cm/s was found in a parent's bedroom, where occupant activities were purposely limited and the HVAC was off. These low air velocities raise concern that air movement may sometimes be inadequate for quantitative passive monitoring of pollutant vapors. Ten and 50% reductions in sampling rates are reported in the literature for passive monitors at air velocities ranging from <0.7 to 25 cm/s and from <0.7 to 2 cm/s, respectively. In addition, low velocities may limit off-gassing from evaporatively controlled emitters and decrease the thermal comfort of inhabitants under warm and humid conditions.

Abstract  BACKGROUND: The presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air may have negative health consequences, ranging from mild irritation to more severe illnesses. Indoor air data are required to assess Canadian population exposure to these VOCs.

DATA AND METHODS: The 2009 to 2011 Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) included an indoor air component. Respondents who went to the mobile examination centre to participate in the physical measures section of the survey were asked to deploy an indoor air sampler in their homes for 7 consecutive days. Data were collected for 84 VOCs. Control samples that were implemented included duplicates and blanks.

RESULTS: Of the 4,686 indoor air samplers given to CHMS respondents, 4,581 were deployed and returned to the testing laboratory. Data from 3,857 samplers met the criteria for inclusion in the CHMS indoor air data files. Thirteen VOCs had a mean percentage difference between the duplicate pairs greater than 30%. The field and cleaning blank geometric means and medians were lower than 1 μg/m³ for 83 VOCs.

INTERPRETATION: The high percentage of mobile examination centre participants who deployed samplers in their homes, the sampler return rate, and the quality of the data obtained demonstrate the feasibility of relying on respondents to handle indoor air samplers for large-scale collection of residential VOC data.