An Evaluation of Employee Exposure to Polyacrylamide
Michael A. Mueller
Purpose: Workplace exposure assessment to determine worker exposure levels for toxic chemicals is a core occupational health activity. In the polyacrylamide (PAM) industry, PAM is one of the primary contaminants that employees may be exposed to during a regular work shift. This study was performed to examine potential health hazards to employees in the polyacrylamide industry in regards to dust produced as a result of normal operation. The primary objectives for this study include: 1) The identification and quantification of polyacrylamide dust concentrations that are present in the workplace. 2) A baseline evaluation of the compliance status of Chemtall in regards to permissible exposure limits (PELs) established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 3) Provide a baseline of exposure data that may be used along with continuing monitoring to link possible health effects with exposure. 4) Evaluate existing engineering controls and make recommendations for additional controls as needed.
Methods: The methods used for this study included: 1) Research on the determination of workplace concentrations of total dust and respirable dust. 2) Becoming familiar with processes at the Chemtall plant located outside Savannah, Georgia and developing a sampling plan for airborne dust collection under a worst case scenario. 3) A plant walk through was performed to converse with employees, observe various transient and stationary activities, and account for all activities that may result in airborne exposure to PAM. 4) Air Monitoring (Personal) was performed on all three shifts for total nuisance and total respirable dust following general guidelines found in the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) methods 0500 and NIOSH 0600. 5) Once analytical data was received, current Occupational Exposure Levels were reviewed to determine acceptable levels.
Results: All air sample results from this survey were below permissible exposure levels established by OSHA including samples collected for total nuisance dust and total respirable dust. The results were also below threshold limit values (TLVs) established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Two areas of the plant were identified in the initial walk through as having the highest potential for airborne exposure to PAM. Based on observations of the work environment/activities and sample collection, the greatest potential to exposure was present in the rolling mill area.
Conclusion: Continued monitoring of airborne particulate is essential in evaluating worker exposure in the polyacrylamide industry. This monitoring will show the effectiveness of existing engineering controls and personal protective equipment as well as the effectiveness of new controls put into place to further reduce employee exposure. The elimination of exposure to all airborne contaminants in the workplace is near impossible but the goal to minimize exposure to the lowest feasible levels should be a primary one in order to protect the health of the workforce.
