Occupational exposure to alkoxysilanes in a fibreglass manufacturing plant

Abstract

Our results showed that the workers in the fibreglass factory were clearly exposed to silanes. The main route of potential exposure was through the skin, especially the hands, which emphasised the importance of wearing appropriate protective gloves. According to the patch sampling, on average two thirds of the total dermal exposure was caused by exposure of the forearm, as indicated by the amounts of silanes analysed in the forearm patches. Since almost every worker was wearing protective gloves, the main occupational health finding concerning exposure to silanes was that short-sleeved T-shirts did not provide any protection to the arms.