Assessment of Occupational Exposure to Organic Substances at Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator

• Main Authors: Ting-yuan Cheng, 鄭丁元
• Other Authors: Lee Ching Chang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2000
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/31727452103287820572

碩士 === 國立成功大學 === 環境醫學研究所 === 88 === The issues of environmental pollution in incinerating the municipal solid waste has been concerned by the general public, but there was no study about exposure assessment to organic hazardous substances of the incinerator workers in Taiwan. In this study, we selected three incineration plants - A, B, and C being study subjects according to their incinerating volume and the geographical positions and planed twice sampling works of organic compounds during the normal operation duration and stopping burning for maintenance, respectively. We also analyzed 1-Hydroypyrene (1-OHP) in urine samples collecting at prior and end of shift of workers had contacted bottom ash and repair workers worked inside the combustion chamber belonging to other companies. Besides, we conducted a questionnaire survey of workers about their working events, places, and other factors may affect the exposure scenario. All above were used to describe the exposure scenario for organic compounds of workers and discuss relationships between exposure scenario and the work category and the operation duration. Finally, we would evaluate their carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk. In the results, the major compounds of workers exposed were Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylene, and Naphthalene. According to the equipment of plants, exposure conditions of workers, and results of ambient air sampling, we could conclude that the main source of organic compounds was the waste reservoir, and workers who worked inside exposed to the highest concentration of organic compounds. The changing of operation duration was indeed the most important factor influencing the exposure scenario of workers. They were exposed higher concentration of organic compounds in the maintenance duration, especially when the fan systems were not working. The other factor was the working division. Workers of maintenance department were exposed to the highest concentration of organic compounds, but it hardly been observed because it was easily affected by time-activity of workers and the concentration of organic compounds in the ambient air. The 1-OHP concentration of workers worked inside the combustion chamber was about four times than that of bottom ash crane operators, particularly when they worked at the time of chambers opened initially. The result of health survey showed that higher exposure concentration of organic compounds, the higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms was observed. The carcinogenic risk of workers exposed to Benzene and PAHs were acceptable, but workers of management department may have related health effects because of exposed to Naphthalene. We suggest that workers should wear appropriated respiratory protective equipment in all times inside the plant, and the ventilation efficiency should be enhanced or equipped the facilities for controlling the organic hazards in the air of the working place.