Savary Barbara, Vincent Raymond
Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité (INRS), Département de Métrologie des polluants, rue du Morvan, CS60027, F-54519 Vandoeuvre lès Nancy, France.
Ann Occup Hyg. 2011 Oct;55(8):931-6. doi: 10.1093/annhyg/mer059. Epub 2011 Aug 9.
Exposure was assessed in four facilities where used tires are turned into rubber granulates. Particulate exposure levels were measured using filter samples and gravimetric analysis. In parallel, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) screening was carried out using samples taken on activated carbon supports, followed by an analysis using a gas chromatograph coupled to a spectrometric detector. The exposure level medians are between 0.58 and 3.95 mg m(-3). Clogging of the textile fiber separation systems can lead to worker exposure; in this case, the measured concentrations can reach 41 mg m(-3). However, in contrast to the data in the literature, VOC levels >1 p.p.m. were not detected. The particulate mixtures deposited on the installation surfaces are complex; some of the chemical agents are toxic to humans. The results of this study indicate significant exposure to complex mixtures of rubber dust. Optimizing exhaust ventilation systems inside the shredders, with a cyclone for example, is essential for reducing the exposure of workers in this rapidly developing sector.
在四个将废旧轮胎加工成橡胶颗粒的工厂中评估了暴露情况。使用滤膜样品和重量分析法测量颗粒物暴露水平。同时，使用在活性炭载体上采集的样品进行挥发性有机化合物（VOCs）筛查，随后使用与光谱检测器联用的气相色谱仪进行分析。暴露水平中位数在0.58至3.95毫克/立方米之间。纺织纤维分离系统堵塞会导致工人暴露；在这种情况下，测量浓度可达41毫克/立方米。然而，与文献数据不同，未检测到VOC水平>1 ppm。沉积在设备表面的颗粒物混合物很复杂；一些化学物质对人体有毒。本研究结果表明，工人大量暴露于复杂的橡胶粉尘混合物中。例如，在切碎机内部优化排气通风系统（配备旋风分离器）对于减少这个快速发展行业中工人的暴露至关重要。
