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Modeling breathing-zone concentrations of airborne contaminants generated during compressed air spray painting.

Flynn MR; Gatano BL; McKernan JL; Dunn KH; Blazicko BA; Carlton GN

Ann Occup Hyg 1999 Jan; 43(1):67-76

https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/43.1.67

20024446

This paper presents a mathematical model to predict breathing-zone concentrations of airborne contaminants generated during compressed air spray painting in cross-flow ventilated booths. The model focuses on characterizing the generation and transport of overspray mist. It extends previous work on conventional spray guns to include exposures generated by HVLP guns. Dimensional analysis and scale model wind-tunnel studies are employed using non-volatile oils, instead of paint, to produce empirical equations for estimating exposure to total mass. Results indicate that a dimensionless breathing zone concentration is a nonlinear function of the ratio of momentum flux of air from the spray gun to the momentum flux of air passing through the projected area of the worker's body. The orientation of the spraying operation within the booth is also very significant. The exposure model requires an estimate of the contaminant generation rate, which is approximated by a simple impactor model. The results represent an initial step in the construction of more realistic models capable of predicting exposure as a mathematical function of the governing parameters.

Mathematical models; Models; Spray painting; Occupational exposure; Airborne particles; Airborne dusts; Air contamination; Paint spraying; Ventilation; Aerosols; Aerosol particles; Painters; Inhalants; Air flow; Fluid mechanics; Spraying booths; Author Keywords: exposure modeling; spray- painting; ventilation; transfer efficiency; dimensional analysis

Michael R. Flynn, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 16488-6399, U.S.A.

AOHYA3

19990101

Journal Article

280127

Grant

1999

Grant-Number-R01-OH-002858

1

0003-4878

Annals of Occupational Hygiene

NC

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina