Quantitative assessment of airborne exposures generated during common cleaning tasks: a pilot study

Abstract

BackgroundA growing body of epidemiologic evidence suggests an association between exposure to cleaning products with asthma and other respiratory disorders. Thus far, these studies have conducted only limited quantitative exposure assessments. Exposures from cleaning products are difficult to measure because they are complex mixtures of chemicals with a range of physicochemical properties, thus requiring multiple measurement techniques. We conducted a pilot exposure assessment study to identify methods for assessing short term, task-based airborne exposures and to quantitatively evaluate airborne exposures associated with cleaning tasks simulated under controlled work environment conditions.MethodsSink, mirror, and toilet bowl cleaning tasks were simulated in a large ventilated bathroom and a small unventilated bathroom using a general purpose, a glass, and a bathroom cleaner. All tasks were performed for 10 minutes. Airborne total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) generated during the tasks were measured using a direct reading instrument (DRI) with a photo ionization detector. Volatile organic ingredients of the cleaning mixtures were assessed utilizing an integrated sampling and analytic method, EPA TO-17. Ammonia air concentrations were also measured with an electrochemical sensor embedded in the DRI.ResultsAverage TVOC concentrations calculated for 10 minute tasks ranged 0.02 - 6.49 ppm and the highest peak concentrations observed ranged 0.14-11 ppm. TVOC time concentration profiles indicated that exposures above background level remained present for about 20 minutes after cessation of the tasks. Among several targeted VOC compounds from cleaning mixtures, only 2-BE was detectable with the EPA method. The ten minute average 2- BE concentrations ranged 0.30 -21 ppm between tasks. The DRI underestimated 2-BE exposures compared to the results from the integrated method. The highest concentration of ammonia of 2.8 ppm occurred during mirror cleaning.ConclusionsOur results indicate that airborne exposures from short-term cleaning tasks can remain in the air even after tasks' cessation, suggesting potential exposures to anyone entering the room shortly after cleaning. Additionally, 2-BE concentrations from cleaning could approach occupational exposure limits and warrant further investigation. Measurement methods applied in this study can be useful for workplace assessment of airborne exposures during cleaning, if the limitations identified here are addressed.

Occupational exposure to fungi and particles in animal feed industry

“…Additionally, task-based exposure assessment may provide a better evaluation of exposure variability, instead of assessing personal exposures using continuous 8-hour time weighted average measurements [33] and it also has a lower probability of covering exposure peaks when comparing with the time weighted average exposure over long processes or over work shifts [33]. Moreover, by using direct-reading instruments to perform task-based exposure assessment it is possible to identify more easily the tasks that represent the highest exposure risk and the ones that should have priority for applying control measures [34].…”

Domestic use of cleaning sprays and asthma activity in females

“…Peak concentrations of 2-buthoxyethanol (major ingredient of their selected sprayed products) may approach occupational exposure limits and remain in the air after completion of the cleaning task [24]. The deleterious effect of products in spray form such as waterproofing sprays [25], pesticide/insecticide sprays [26,27] or hair sprays [28] has been established for several diseases.…”

Airborne Exposures to Monoethanolamine, Glycol Ethers, and Benzyl Alcohol During Professional Cleaning: A Pilot Study

“…Average EGBE air concentrations estimated were 3.77 ppm (18 mg m −3 , SD = 2.24), whereas highest estimates were around 8.7 ppm (42 mg m −3 ) for mirror cleaning when a general purpose cleaner was used (Bello et al, 2013). The same authors concluded in a preceding simulation study, that EGBE air concentrations could approach OEL during cleaning activity (Bello et al, 2010). Another recent study investigating EGBE air concentrations during cleaning using a cleaning product with 7.5% EGBE, reported air concentration ranging from 4.5 to 13.5 mg m −3 (mean = 7.5 mg m −3 , SD = 3.5 mg m −3 ) (Fromme et al, 2013).…”

“…The following glycol ethers were chosen based on results from previous studies (Bello et al, 2009(Bello et al, , 2010: ethylene glycol monon-butyl ether (EGBE), diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (DEGEE), diethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether (DEGBE), and butoxypropanol (2PG1BE), while others were included as they were listed in the safety data sheets of cleaning products used: dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (DPGME), and phenoxyethanol (EGPhE) (Gerster et al, 2014). One exception was ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (EGEE), a glycol ether, that was never listed in safety data sheets of cleaning products.…”