Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Assessment of Volatile Organic Compound Reduction Using an Air Purification Facility in an Adhesive Handling Process

접착제 취급 작업장 내 공기정화 설비를 이용한 휘발성 유기화합물 저감 평가

  • Jaemin Woo (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Dongjun Kim (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Jihun Shin (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Gihong Min (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University) ;
  • Chaekwan Lee (Institute of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Medical School, Inje University) ;
  • Wonho Yang (Department of Health and Safety, Daegu Catholic University)
  • 우재민 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 김동준 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 신지훈 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 민기홍 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과) ;
  • 이채관 (인제대학교 의과대학 환경.산업의학연구소) ;
  • 양원호 (대구가톨릭대학교 보건안전학과)
  • Received : 2023.04.17
  • Accepted : 2023.04.24
  • Published : 2023.04.30
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Abstract

Background: Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can have acute and chronic health effects on human beings in general and in working environments. In particular, VOCs are often emitted in large quantities in industrial settings. In such circumstances, there is a need to improve the indoor air quality at workplaces. Objectives: The purposes of this study were to verify the effectiveness of air cleaning devices in workplaces and provide alternative solutions for improving working environments. Methods: Personal exposure and area level of VOCs for workers were evaluated in a car-part adhesive process before and after installing an air cleaning device with a TiO2-coated filter. Passive samplers and direct reading instruments were used to collect and analyze the VOCs, and the removal efficiency and improvement of air quality were evaluated. We also calculated the exposure index (EI) to assess the risk level in the workplace. Results: The removal efficiency for VOCs through the installation of the air cleaning device was approximately 26.9~69.0% as determined by the concentration levels before and after installation. The measured substances did not exceed the exposure limits for the work environment and the EI was less than 1. However, carcinogenic substances such as benzene, formaldehyde, carbon tetrachloride, and trichloroethylene were detected. Conclusions: The application of an air cleaning device can be a solution for controlling the indoor air quality in a workplace, particularly in cases where ventilation systems cannot be installed due to process limitations.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 결과물은 환경부의 재원으로 한국환경산업기술원의 환경성 질환 예방관리 핵심 기술 개발사업의 지원을 받아 연구되었습니다(과제번호: 2021003320008).

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