A survey of airborne and skin exposures to chemicals in footwear and equipment factories in Thailand

J Occup Environ Hyg. 2008 Mar;5(3):169-81. doi: 10.1080/15459620701853342.

Abstract

This research reports on a pilot industrial hygiene study that was performed at four footwear factories and two equipment factories in Thailand. Workers in these factories were exposed through inhalation and dermal contact to a large number of organic vapors from solvents and cements that were hand applied. In addition, these workers were exposed to highly toxic isocyanates primarily through the dermal route. A total of 286 personal air samples were obtained at the four footwear factories using organic vapor monitors; individual job tasks were monitored using a real-time MIRAN Spectrometer. A total of 64 surface, tool, or hand samples were monitored for isocyanates using surface contamination detectors. Real-time measurements were also obtained for organic vapors in two equipment factories. From 8% to 21% of the workers sampled in each footwear factory were overexposed to mixtures of chemicals from solvents and cements. Up to 100% of the workers performing specific job tasks were overexposed to mixtures of chemicals. From 39% to 69% of the surface samples were positive for unreacted isocyanates. Many of the real-time measurements obtained in the equipment factories exceeded occupational exposure limits. Personal protective equipment and engineering controls were inadequate in all of the factories.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aerosols / analysis
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / analysis*
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / standards
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Female
  • Foot
  • Humans
  • Isocyanates / isolation & purification
  • Male
  • Occupational Exposure / analysis*
  • Occupational Exposure / standards
  • Organic Chemicals / isolation & purification
  • Protective Clothing
  • Shoes*
  • Skin*
  • Textile Industry*
  • Thailand
  • Ventilation / methods
  • Ventilation / standards

Substances

  • Aerosols
  • Air Pollutants, Occupational
  • Isocyanates
  • Organic Chemicals