Ambient air monitoring(environmental monitoring) and biologic monitoring of mixed organic solvents exposure have been used in exposure assessment of these compounds in the work environment. Environmental monitoring is more useful when assessing
low
level exposure to these compounds. The specific objectives of this study were to measure air organic solvent levels in the work environment, to test the agreement of items measured in this study with items which have been reported to the
administrative
agency, and finally to evaluate the appropriateness of environmental monitoring items. The study subjects were 13 small companies in which less than 30 employees were working and presumably exposed to mixed organic solvents(e.g., automotive
repair
and
painting, 6; textile dyeing, 2 ; printing, 2 ; electronics, ate, 3). Personal air samplings were performed by the flow-lite sampling pump(MSA) and the 600 mg charcoal tube with air velocity of 100 ml/min for qualitative analysis and 2 l/min for
quantitative analysis. Samples were analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(Hewlett-Packard 5890/5970B).
High levels of toluene, n-hexane, and MIBK were detected in most study companies and low levels of ethylbenzene, xylene, n-butylacetate were also detected. When these measured items were compared with those of reported items, only 6 of 13
companies
showed relatively good agreement between them. Two companies failed to report items exceeding the limit value. In conclusion, qualitative analysis of ambient air organic solvents seemed to be as important as quantitative analysis of these
compounds
and
a periodic evaluation of monitoring items reported to the administrative agency should be required.
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