Comparison of Exposure Measurements Stored in European Databases on Occupational Air Pollutants and Definition of Core Information

Abstract

Abstract A comparison of exposure results for xylene (all data, wood working industry and spray painting) stored in five European databases has been carried out. To estimate bias due to sampling strategy, the results held in one of the bases have also been compared with a set of results obtained in an unbiased representative study. Time-weighted average concentrations were used when sampling time was longer than 1 hour and shorter than 8 hours. For all bases the spray-painting results (geometric means of concentrations) were elevated when compared to the overall results and to the wood working industry results. The geometric standard deviations were generally large, but were smaller for most of the bases for spray painting within the wood working industry compared to the overall results. For xylene, acetone, and wood dust results held in one of the bases, the bias to each overall geometric mean is estimated to differ by a factor from 3.09 to 0.62, dependent on the assumption of the exposure periods. No significant correlations were found between concentrations and sampling periods for results from this base. Although it is possible to carry out comparisons at a broader level, it is concluded that there is a need for comparisons at a more detailed industry level. Furthermore, there is a need for an international coding system for work operations. Consensus on assessment of exposure time is also needed. Vinzents, P.; Carton, B.; Fjeldstad, P.; Rajan, B.; Stamm, R.: Comparison of Exposure Measurements Stored in European Databases on Occupational Air Pollutants and Definition of Core Information. Appl. Occup. Environ. Hyg. 10(4):351–354; 1995.