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Human exposure to volatile organic compounds: a comparison of organic vapor monitoring badge levels with blood levels.

Mannino DM; Schreiber J; Aldous K; Ashley D; Moolenaar R; Almaguer D

Int Arch Occup Environ Health 1995 Mar; 67(1):59-64

https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00383134

00227759

A nonrandom group of 40 volunteers participated in a study to determine the level of correlation between three methods of sampling for volatile organic compounds (VOC): organic vapor badges, charcoal tubes, and blood VOC levels. Each of 40 volunteers provided blood samples for analysis. Nineteen subjects wore organic vapor badges for at least 5 hours, and 24 subjects provided personal breathing zone samples captured on charcoal tubes. Subjects were exposed to gasoline (8006619) fumes while working around automobiles or as city commuters. The highest level of correlation with blood VOC levels was observed with the organic vapor badges. Methyl-tert- butyl-ether (1634044) (MTBE) was observed in the blood of 15 of 19 subjects. The organic vapor cartridges detected MTBE in nine of 15 subjects, while the charcoal tubes detect MTBE in one of 13 subjects. The nine subjects with detectable MTBE levels (using badges) were either automotive mechanics or gasoline pumpers. Toluene (108883) and o-xylene (95476) were detected in the blood of all participants. The organic vapor badges detected toluene and o- xylene in 18 of 19 subjects, while the charcoal tube detected toluene and o-xylene in nine of 14 subjects. Organic vapor badges were also more sensitive in detecting low levels of VOCs compared to charcoal tubes. The authors suggest that organic vapor badges may be a convenient means of determining exposure levels of VOCs.

NIOSH-Author; Air-samplers; Automotive-emissions; Blood-analysis; Air-sampling-equipment; Epidemiology; Occupational-exposure; Organic-vapors; Sampling-methods; Volatiles; Author Keywords: Vapor badge; Volatile organic compound; Epidemiology; Benzene

D.M Mannino, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Mail Stop F-39, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA

IAEHDW

8006-61-9; 1634-04-4; 108-88-3; 95-47-6

19950301

Journal Article

1995

1

0340-0131

DSHEFS

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

GA; NY; OH