Occupational exposure limits of methyl t-butyl ether in workplace air
10.11763/j.issn.2095-2619.2019.01.005
- Author:
Shihua WU
1
,
2
;
Banghua WU
;
Aichu YANG
;
Huifeng CHEN
;
Chuan WU
;
Yimin LIU
1
,
2
Author Information
1. Evaluation and Detection Center, Guangzhou Prevention and Treatment Hospital of Occupational Diseases
2. The Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou, Guangdong 510620, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Methyl t-butyl ether;
Workplace;
Air;
Occupational exposure limit;
Permissible concentration-time weighted average;
Permissible concentration-short term exposure limit
- From:
China Occupational Medicine
2019;46(01):28-33
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To establish the occupational exposure limits for methyl t-butyl ether(MTBE) in the air of workplace in China. METHODS: According to the GBZ/T 210.1-2008 Guide for Establishing Occupational Health Standards--Part 1: Occupational Exposure Limits for Airborne Chemicals in the Workplace, we collected and analyzed data on physical and chemical properties, toxicology, occupational epidemiology and foreign occupational exposure limits related to MTBE by literature search. A total of 180 occupational workers exposed to MTBE were selected as exposure group, and 155 workers and administrative logistics personnel without exposure to MTBE were selected as the control group. Occupational hygiene investigation and occupational physical examination were carried out. We deduced the occupational exposure limits for MTBE in workplace air in China by combining literature data. RESULTS: The time-weighted average(TWA) of MTBE in the workplace air developed by the United States of America and Britain is 180.00 mg/m~3. The short-term exposure limit(STEL) of MTBE in the workplace air developed by Australia and New Zealand is 270.00 mg/m~3. The concentration of TWA(C_(TWA)) of MTBE in the exposure group was less than 0.08-4.90 mg/m~3. The concentration of short term exposure was less than 0.10-14.28 mg/m~3, and the C_(TWA) was less than 0.02-83.66 mg/m~3, in parts of workplaces. There was no statistically significant difference on the self-conscious discomfort and the abnormality in physical examination between these two groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: It's recommended that the permissible concentration-TWA of MTBE should be set at 180.00 mg/m~3, and the permissible concentration-STEL should be set at 270.00 mg/m~3 in China.
