Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Occupational Exposure Assessment for Benzene Using Exposure Models (ECETOC TRA and Stoffenmanager) and Applicability Evaluation of Exposure Models in K-REACH

노출 모델의 화평법 적용성: ECETOC TRA와 Stoffenmanager Tier 1 노출 모델을 활용한 벤젠의 작업자 노출 평가

  • Moon, Joonsik (Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology) ;
  • Ock, Jeongwon (Department of Preventive Medicine, Gachon University College of Medicine) ;
  • Jung, Uk-Hyun (Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology) ;
  • Ra, Jin-Sung (Eco-testing & Risk Assessment Center, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology) ;
  • Kim, Ki-Tae (Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology)
  • 문준식 (서울과학기술대학교 환경공학과) ;
  • 옥정원 (가천대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 정욱현 (서울과학기술대학교 환경공학과) ;
  • 나진성 (한국생산기술연구원 환경규제기술센터) ;
  • 김기태 (서울과학기술대학교 환경공학과)
  • Received : 2018.10.02
  • Accepted : 2018.10.14
  • Published : 2018.10.28
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Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to estimate the inhalation exposure level of benzene for workers using Tier 1 exposure models ECETOC TRA (European Center for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals Target Risk Assessment) and Stoffenmanager, and to investigate their reliability for exposure assessment in K-REACH. Methods: Two exposure scenarios, 'manufacture of benzene' and 'use as solvents,' were developed for assessment of workers' exposure to benzene. The Process Category (PROC) for ECETOC TRA was collected from the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) registration dossier, and the Activity for Stoffenmanager was converted from PROC using translation of exposure models (TREXMO). The information related to exposure, such as working duration, Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE), Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV), and Risk Management Measure (RMM) were classified into high, medium, and low exposure conditions. The risk was determined by the ratio of the estimated exposure and occupational exposure limits of benzene. Results: Under high exposure conditions, the worker exposure level calculated from all PROCs and Activities exceeded the risk level, with the exception of PROC 1 and Activity 1. In the medium exposure condition, PROC 8a, 8b, and 9 and Activity 3, 7, and 8 all exceeded the risk, whereas in the low condition, all PROCs and Activities were determined to be safe. As a result, action corresponding with the low exposure condition is required to reduce the risk of exposure among workers in workplaces where benzene is manufactured or used as a solvent. In addition, the predicted exposure levels derived from the exposure models were lower than measured levels. The exposure levels estimated from Stoffenmanager were more conservative than those from ECETOC TRA. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility of exposure models for exposure assessment through the example of occupational inhalation exposure assessment for benzene. For more active utilization of exposure models in K-REACH, the exact application of collected information and accurate interpretation of obtained results are necessary.

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