Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas (한국가스학회지)

The Korean Institute of GAS (한국가스학회)
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Hazards of Chloroprene and the Workplace Management

클로로프렌의 유해성과 작업환경 관리

  • Kim, Hyeon-Yeong (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency) ;
  • Lim, Cheol-Hong (Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency)
  • 김현영 (한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원) ;
  • 임철홍 (한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원)
  • Received : 2015.03.30
  • Accepted : 2015.05.08
  • Published : 2015.06.28
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Abstract

In this study, we performed risk assessment of chloroprene by hazard evaluation and workplace investigation. The chemical is used to manufacture of shoes, tires, adhesives, and classified as IARC category 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) and target organ systemic toxicity. It is used about 1,300 tons per year in 27 sites. It was calculated the risk of carcinogenesis with chloroprene by Monte-carlo simulation that the averages are 2,199 and 26,404 in each case of working less than 15 minutes per day with local exhaust ventilation and over 4 hours per day without local exhaust ventilation. The risk of target organ systemic toxicity are 4.10 and 169.06 with high correlation with working time to be longer and with ventilation system. Therefore, it is recommended that the local exhaust ventilation and respirators to prevent occupational cancer and target organ systemic toxicity with chloroprene. Especially it is determined that there is a need to strengthen the workplace exposure limit (TWA 10 ppm) in Korea since it is managed with TWA less than 5 ppm ($18mg/m^3$) by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as well as it has carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity.

본 연구는 신발, 타이어, 접착제 제조에 많이 사용되는 클로로프렌(chloroprene)에 대해 취급근로자의 건강장해 예방을 위해 유해성을 조사하고, 취급사업장에 대해 작업환경을 측정 노출농도 및 용량반응을 통해 위험성을 평가하였다. 클로로프렌은 국제암연구소(IARC)로부터 발암추정물질(2B), 표적장기 전신독성 및 생식독성물질로 국내 취급 사업장은 27개소, 연간 약 1,300톤이 사용되었으며, 노출 위험성은 노출환경에 따라 Monte-carlo simulation을 이용하여 산출하였다. 그 결과 국소배기장치가 없으며 1일 4시간 초과 작업시 발암을 일으킬 수 있는 위험성의 평균값은 26,404로, 국소배기장치가 있으며 15분 미만의 단시간 작업 경우 2,199에 비교해 매우 높은 위험성을 보였다. 그리고 표적장기 전신독성의 경우도 169.06으로 단시간 작업 경우 4.10에 비교해 표적장기 전신독성 발생 위험이 높은 것으로 평가되어 물질의 노출시간 및 환기방식에 깊은 상관관계가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 클로로프렌 노출에 의한 근로자의 건강장해 예방하기 위해 국소배기장치의 가동과 방독마스크의 착용 등 노출저감을 위한 작업환경 관리의 필요성이 있었다. 특히 클로로프렌은 발암성, 생식독성 물질로 미국 산업안전보건청(OSHA)에서는 TWA를 5 ppm($18mg/m^3$) 이하로 관리하고 있으며, 본 유해성조사 결과에서도 현행 노출기준 10 ppm이하에서 표적장기독성, 생식기 장해 등 생체에 미치는 영향이 있는 것으로 나타나 있어, 위험성이 강하게 예측되므로 현재 사용하고 있는 우리나라 작업환경 노출기준(TWA 10 ppm)도 5 ppm 수준으로 강화하여 근로자 건강장해 예방에 기여할 필요성이 있는 것으로 판단되었다.

Keywords

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