Qualitative evaluation of occupational exposure to chemical agents in a workplace of a research laboratory

Abstract

In order to identify the presence of chemical agents in the work environment, a workplace of a research laboratory was analyzed. For this purpose, colorimetric tubes were used in three of the nine macro activities of the most exposed worker. The impossibility of changing the technical specifications of the linear length of the product X (in process of patenting); and the replacement of the chemical agents, resins and solvents by other more innocuous, was assumed. After being detected the presence of toluene, methanol, n-hexane and benzene, the following sequence of improvements were proposed: (1) move the machine X to the entries C1-086 and C1-087 identified on the layout, (2) remove the division between those areas; install exhaust ventilation to do the correct atmospheric suction of the air/exposed gases and, (3) use of individual protection equipment.