Work Exposure to VOC in Storage Areas of Retail Stores

Abstract

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) has been linked to airway disease and early deaths. The ESQUISSE study of IAQ conducted by the French Research and Safety Institute (INRS), characterized the concentrations of various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in 10 retail stores and storage areas. The IAQ was generally better in sales areas than storage areas, which are more often unventilated and overloaded with new products. For example, in clothing stores, formaldehyde concentrations between 29.0 and 45.0 µg m−3 were measured in non-ventilated storage areas located in the basement; in sales areas, concentrations did not exceed 10.2 µg m−3. Similarly, total VOC (TVOC) concentrations in the two main storage areas were 1153 and 1223 µg m−3 toluene equivalent, whereas they were less than 77.0 µg m−3 toluene equivalent in all sales areas. Many employees work in these high-exposure areas either temporarily or for the entire day, unpacking boxes, placing products on shelves, or collecting products. Reporting primarily on formaldehyde, toluene, or TVOC concentrations, this article shows, in addition to the distinction between sales and storage areas, how an unpacking task can affect an employee’s exposure, and an example of the impact of ambient temperature on VOC concentrations. The results presented clearly highlight the issue of occupational exposure of workers in storage areas.

Presumed Exposure to Chemical Pollutants and Experienced Health Impacts among Warehouse Workers at Logistics Companies: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…Although no significant correlation was found, trembling of hands, muscle cramps, slurred speech, and unpleasant taste in the mouth were more frequent among warehouse workers. These symptoms can be related to various chemical substances that may occur under these circumstances, such as aromatic organic solvents, volatile residues of fumigants, and other toxic industrial chemicals [ 7 , 9 , 12 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Several pesticides and their residues, for instance various fumigants and insecticides, have neurotoxic effects even in low or moderate concentrations, which may be experienced by exposed warehouse workers [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ].…”

“…In addition to the undesirable exposure caused by the residues of fumigants and other pesticides, there are several VOCs released from transported goods and packaging materials, which contribute to the complexity of chemical exposures in transportation and trade [ 12 ]. The most commonly released VOCs in transport containers are benzene, xylene, ethyl benzene, toluene, chloromethane, and formaldehyde.…”

“…The most commonly released VOCs in transport containers are benzene, xylene, ethyl benzene, toluene, chloromethane, and formaldehyde. These chemicals are emitted from goods, such as furniture, electrical appliances, shoes, and textiles that have been manufactured with the use of paint, lacquer, or glue [ 2 , 3 , 12 ]. According to a study carried out in Hamburg, Germany, 70% of transport containers arriving in the harbor were contaminated with toxic chemicals above chronic reference exposure levels, and 36% of them exceeded the higher acute reference exposure level thresholds.…”

“…Considering the various potential sources of chemical pollutants, workers employed in transportation and storage can be exposed to several noxious substances, even without recognizing the risk [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 12 , 16 ]. The aim of this study was to investigate presumed occupational chemical exposures and their experienced health impacts, as well as the related knowledge, attitudes, and practices through a cross-sectional questionnaire survey among workers at Hungarian logistics companies.…”