201. [The working environment control of anhydride hardeners from an epoxy resin system]
- Author
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Yasushi Johyama, Naomi Matsumoto, Kozo Yokota, and Toshiyuki Takakura
- Subjects
Intoxicative inhalant ,Air Pollutants, Occupational ,Toxicology ,complex mixtures ,Anhydrides ,Occupational Exposure ,Methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride ,Humans ,Industry ,Prospective Studies ,Workplace ,Curing (chemistry) ,Occupational Health ,Control level ,Waste management ,Epoxy Resins ,technology, industry, and agriculture ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,General Medicine ,Epoxy ,Environment, Controlled ,Work environment ,Ventilation ,visual_art ,visual_art.visual_art_medium ,Environmental science ,Christian ministry ,Electronics ,Working environment - Abstract
Epoxy resins are widely used in adhesives, coatings, materials for molds and composites, and encapsulation. Acid anhydrides such as methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride are being used as curing agents for epoxy resins. The anhydride hardeners are well-known industrial inhalant allergens, inducing predominantly type I allergies. In the electronic components industry, these substances have been consumed in large quantities. Therefore, safe use in the industry demands control of the levels of exposure causing allergic diseases in the workshop. We conducted a prospective survey of two electronics plants to clarify how to control the atmospheric level of the anhydrides in the work environment. Measurements of the levels of the anhydrides in air started according to the Working Environment Measurement Standards (Ministry of Labour Notification No. 46, 1976) in April 2000, along with improvements in the work environment. A value of 40 micrograms/m3 was adopted as the administrative control level to judge the propriety of the working environment control. A total of 2 unit work areas in both plants belonged to Control Class III. The exposure originated from manual loading, casting, uncured hot resins, and leaks in an impregnating-machine or curing ovens. In order to achieve the working environment control, complete enclosure of the source, installation of local exhaust ventilation, and improvement or maintenance of the local exhaust ventilation system were performed on the basis of the results of the working environment measurement, with the result that the work environment was improved (Control Class I). It became evident that these measures were effective just like other noxious substances.
- Published
- 2003