Chemical Characterization of Sanding Dust and Methylene Chloride Usage in Automotive Refinishing: Implications for Occupational and Environmental Health

Abstract

Surface preparation activities conducted during automotive refinishing present several potential human health and environmental risks. This study examines the chemical composition of vehicle sanding dust and the prevalence of methylene chloride use as a basis for evaluating potential chemical exposures in the work environment, fugitive environmental releases, and take-home toxics. This article reports on the findings of (1) a statewide technology and work practices survey of 353 licensed auto body shops and (2) laboratory analyses of sanding dust representing more than 200 vehicles, 10 commercial body filler compounds, and work shirts worn during vehicle sanding while using nonventilated equipment. Survey data revealed that the majority of shops (78%) do not use ventilated sanding equipment, that most workers (55%) take their work clothes and shoes home at the end of the workday, and that 17% of the respondents used a methylene chloride-based paint stripper as an adjunct to mechanical sanding. Laboratory results showed that Pb, As, Cr, Mn, and Ni were present in the sanding dust at every facility tested. Lead concentrations in sanding dust were found to be highest at facilities that performed complete vehicle refinishing (range 770 to 7300 ppm) and at a collision repair shop that used a high-lead content body filler compound (1800 ppm). Hexavalent chromium also was found in two vocational high school paint dust samples at concentrations of 54 and 710 ppm. When total lead and chromium concentrations reached 7300 and 2300 ppm, respectively, facility sanding dust samples failed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure for hazardous waste. Metals found in the sanding dust also were present on the work shirts of technicians-ranging from 0.06 (Cd) to 81 (Mg) microg/inch2 of cloth-who sanded on paint without ventilated equipment. Results suggest that sanding dust and methylene chloride paint strippers used in vehicle resurfacing operations pose a potential hazard to human health and the environment.

The concordance of pollution prevention and occupational health and safety: A perspective on U.S. policy

“…The autopsy report for this 44-year-old male indicated that the painter had experienced a fatal attack of acute bronchial asthma ''precipitated by exposure to fumes and chemicals in an automobile paint shop'' [United States Department of Labor (DOL), 1998]. Research conducted by the authors has also shown that automotive body repair technicians who sand on painted surfaces for extended periods of time can have elevated blood lead levels (PbB), endure exposure to a myriad of additional physical/chemical hazards, and carry home toxic metals on their work clothes [Enander et al, 2002[Enander et al, , 2004.…”

Exposure Evaluation for Benzene, Lead and Noise in Vehicle and Equipment Repair Shops

“…Their work habits create an increased risk of exposure to lead dust. Laboratory analysis of dust samples from several auto body repair shops confirmed that lead was present in all of the paint dust samples and almost 50% of the body filler dust samples (Enander et al 2002).…”

“…Composite sanding dust samples of original equipment manufacturing (OEM) paint from more than 200 vehicles were collected and analyzed for total metals following EPA procedures for characterizing solid waste. The sampling data indicated that many hazardous metals were present in varying amounts including lead, with the median concentration of 575 ppm (Enander 2002). In a follow-on study, worker airborne exposure to total dusts, and lead dusts were evaluated in three auto body repair shops.…”

“…Bulk dust samples of paint and body filler dusts from auto body shops in the Rhode Island area contained high lead levels (Enander et al 2002) Significant amounts oflead are still used in paints as pigments and as driers (Blando et al 2007). …”

Study on the Rational Use of a Rural Middle School Sports Venues and Sports Equipment Resources

“…Japan more than 90% of the school has a gymnasium, stadium, swimming pool and other sports facilities; since 1970, the construction of primary and secondary schools in Denmark sports equipment investment proportion, sports hall in Denmark every school has a 40m * 20m; in Austria and other countries, the domestic big city construction of large-scale outdoor sports facilities in schools, supply. In 2005, Sun Zhongchun proposed [1][2][3][4][5] in the investigation on the current situation of foreign sports equipment: foreign government attaches great importance to the construction of sports venues and equipment, not only issued a decree, force local governments to intensify the construction of sports venues and pay attention to the operation and management of venues. At the same time, increase the number of sports facilities in the community sports activities, calling for more people to participate in sports.…”