A Study on Worker Exposure to Trichlorethylene and Emission Factor for Degreasers in Plating Plants

중소기업 도금공정에서의 트리클로로에틸렌 폭로와 발산량에 관한 연구

This study was conducted at seven degreasing processes in plating plants located in Seoul, Incheon, Ansan, and Taejeon areas from July 21 to august 27, 1992. This study was performed to assess the TWA exposures to trichloroethylene (TCE) and evaluate factors affecting TCE concentrations in degreasing process. Two-Point Eddy Diffusional Model suggested by Wadden et al. was employed to calculalte emission factors according to degreaser type. Results are summarized as follows. 1. The TWA exposures of the degreasing operators ranged from 1.4 ppm to 123 ppm, and those of three plants out of seven were exceeding 50 ppm of both the Korean and U.S. OSHA standards. Degreasing assistant of Plant B, was exposed to 59 ppm. 2. The average concentrations at the distance 0, 1.5, 3.0 m from the degreasers were 1.014, 24, and 18 ppm, respectively, and showed a signifficant difference by distance (p<0.01). 3. The emission of TCE was reduced by installing local exhaust systems, condensers, and refrigeration lines at the degreasers (p<0.01). 4. The major factors related to exposure of operators were workload (r=.9621. p<0.01) and dimensions of degreansing room(r=-.8667, p<0.05). 5. If the air in degreasing room is mixed violently by other factors in addition to diffusion, the emission factors can not be evaluated because the important hypothesis of the Two-Point Eddy Diffusional Model can not be accepted. 6. The ultrasonic degreaser without the local exhaust ststem, condenser, and refrigeration lines emitted TCE three times greater than the ultrasonic degreaser with condenser and refrigeration 1ines only.