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KMID : 0895420100200010063
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Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Enviromental Hygiene
2010 Volume.20 No. 1 p.63 ~ p.69
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Evaluation of Air Contaminants Concentrations and Ventilation Systems in Governmental Agency and University Laboratories
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Ha Ju-Hyun
Shin Yong-Chul
Lee Hyun-Seok
Paik Samuel Y.
Yi Gwang-Yong
Lee Byung-Kyu
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Abstract
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This study was conducted to compare the concentration of various air contaminants in nine different laboratories during routine activities. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) were ampled and analyzed using NIOSH Method 1500 and asbestos fibers were sampled and analyzed using NIOSH Method 9002 and 7400. Detectable levels of acetone, toluene and ethanol were found in all the laboratories and xylene and n-hexane were detected in eight of the nine laboratories. All the VOC concentrations were well below the Korean Ministry of Labor’s Exposure Limit and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists’(ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values(TLVs). Total VOC concentrations at the university laboratories were significantly higher than those at governmental agency laboratories. Airborne fiber concentrations were below 0.01 fibers/cc, while the concentration of chrysotile was 2% in insulation materials sprayed on the ceiling of one laboratory. While all the governmental agency laboratories (n=4) had fume hoods, two out of the five university laboratories did not have fume hoods. The capture velocity of half of the fume hoods were below the maintenance standard(0.4 m/sec). In conclusion, the study suggests that the current controls in place at both university and government agency laboratories are not sufficient in limiting exposure to harmful chemicals to non-detectable levels, though they appear to be adequate in protecting workers to levels below applicable occupational exposure limits. The study also suggests that researchers working in university laboratories may be exposed to greater levels of contaminant than those working in government agency laboratories.
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KEYWORD
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Governmental agency and university Laboratories, Concentration of various air contaminants, Fume hood
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