To improve the quality of environmental measurements and evaluation of the workplace air in the pigment manufacturing industries, we analyzed metal(chromium, cadmium, lead, iron, cobalt, manganese, antimony, titanium, arsenic, and selenium) concentrations by ICP-AES in sixty seven samples of inorganic bulk pigments which are produced and/or used in Korea. We also collected MSDS which has to be supplied by manufacturer and/or supplier and posted in the workplace according to the Hazard Communication Standards, and compared the number of metals listed in each MSDS with the number of metals determined by ICP-AES. Results were as followed;
1. Among seventeen yellowish-colored samples, chromium(2∼19%) and lead(0.1∼61%) were the two major metals. In thirteen reddish-colored samples, iron was the major component with 37∼81 %. Cobalt and manganese were detected in blue-colored samples with less than 1%, while antimony and titanium were the major two metals in white- colored pigments with 178∼300 ppm and with 36∼65%, respectively.
2. In area samples collected in workplace air(one pigments producing factory and five retailer stores), iron and manganese were detected but the concentrations not exceeded the TLVs(1 and 5 ㎎/㎥, respectively). In three of fifteen samples, the concentrations of lead exceeded the TLV (0.05 ㎎/㎥).
3. Two out of seven companies provided MSDS, and the average provision rate was 22.4%. And the coincidence rate of the number of metals referenced in MSDS and determined by ICP-AES mostly accorded, but in one sample, different metal was detected from MSDS.
In summary, metals have to be concerned in evaluation of the workplace air dealing with compounds of inorganic pigments dust are cobalt, chromium, iron, manganese, lead and antimony, and these are simultaneously determined by ICP-AES. Taking this opportunity, it is needed to reinforce that the personnel is to be concerned about prevention of workers´ ill health regarding to provision of MSDS.
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