NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Real-time personal monitor for the drycleaning industry.

Thomas RC

NIOSH 2002 Nov; :1-17

20023751

This Small Business Innovation Research project addresses the development of a low-cost personal exposure monitor with real-time sampling and data logging capabilities for the drycleaning industry. Phase I research efforts, which are discussed in this report, were focused on the development of novel chemical micro sensors for detecting perchloroethylene vapors. Additional research studies (i.e., Phase II) will enable their integration with a badge-size instrument. Once commercialized, these innovative monitors will be used to accurately manage risks associated with daily job functions (i.e., garment spotting, washer loading and unloading, machine maintenance, clothes pressing, etc.) by workers in this high-risk small business industry. At the present time, high costs associated with continuous exposure methods prevent employers from providing adequate monitoring of worker exposure to perchloroethylene. hmovative sensors that were developed during Phase I will enable the reduction of injuries and illnesses associated with chemical exposures to perchoroethylene as employees are made aware of risks and as employers strive to provide safer workplaces. These sensors will also enable precise exposure assessments to support epidemiologic studies, practical technology that can be applied at reasonable cost in the workplace, and validated sensors for measuring relevant exposure and total dose data.

Exposure-assessment; Exposure-methods; Exposure-levels; Vapors; Air-quality; Chemical-agent-detectors; Monitoring-systems; Solvents; Dry-cleaning-solvents; Dry-cleaning-industry

Eltron Research, Inc, 4600 Nautilus Court South, Boulder, CO 80301

127-18-4

20021130

Final Grant Report

99,999

Grant

2003

Grant-Number-R43-OH-007465

OEP

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

CO

Eltron Research Inc., Boulder, Colorado 80301-3241