Industrial Hygiene Report In-Depth Survey, Solvent Vapor Survey of Screen Printing Operations, Display Media, Long Island City, New York

摘要

Worker exposures to solvent vapors were determined at Display Media (SIC-2751) in Long Island City, New York, on November 20, 21, and 23, 1978. The screen printing shop employed 17 workers. Solvent concentrations were within OSHA standards for most job descriptions, except for the screen washer's, which exceeded the standards of 100 parts per million (ppm) for toluene (108883), methyl-isobutyl-ketone (108101) (MIBK), and the OSHA threshold limit value of 1.0 ppm for solvent mixtures. The screen washer's exposure to other solvents was also high, and air concentrations in the screen washing area exceeded OSHA standards. The author recommends an evaluation of engineering controls to achieve compliance with OSHA standards, education as to hazards and proper use of inks and solvents and more tutored work habits, and general awareness of factors that influence safety, efficiency, and comfort.