Health Hazard Evaluation Report: HETA-2014-0081-3231, February 2015. Evaluation of Occupational Exposures at a Drycleaning Shop Using SolvonK4.

摘要

The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from the managers of a drycleaning shop. The request concerned potential occupational exposures to the drycleaning solvent SolvonK4. We evaluated the drycleaning shop in May 2014. The shop was staffed by 10 full-time employees (pressers, tailors, and a cashier) and two owners. The pressers worked from 6 a.m. until they completed pressing for the day. The tailors worked from 12 p.m. to approximately 6 p.m. The shop drycleaned 20-40 loads per week, including five loads each day during our visit. We took air samples for butylal, the main ingredient in SolvonK4. We also took air samples for formaldehyde and butanol. These chemicals can be produced by SolvonK4. We measured temperature and relative humidity to learn about the risk for illnesses from the heat. We found butylal, but not formaldehyde or butanol, in the personal air samples from employees. We saw employees spraying and brushing pretreatment solutions onto fabrics. The employees did not wear gloves or eye protection. Although the shop had heating and air-conditioning, the front and back doors were opened to provide general dilution ventilation, as needed. The temperatures inside the shop ranged from 78°F to 104°F and the relative humidity range ranged from 21%-57%. Comparing our calculated heat indices to the OSHA guidelines for heat illness prevention, we noted that the risk of heat-related illness varied throughout the work day from low in the morning to high in the early and late afternoon. It was warmest in the pressing areas of the shop. Cool drinking water was available from a dispenser in the break area, and we saw employees drinking water during breaks and at lunch. We saw dust and lint in the shop, which can be a source of fuel if there is a fire. We recommended the employer (1) train employees to pour and brush pretreatments onto fabrics instead of spraying, (2) inspect and maintain the drycleaning machine according to the manufacturer's recommendations, (3) follow OSHA guidance on protecting employees from the effects of heat, (4) clean the shop regularly with a high efficiency particulate air vacuum cleaner or a wet mop, and (5) provide eye protection and chemical resistant gloves. We recommended the employees wear eye protection and chemical resistant gloves while pretreating fabrics and wash hands or exposed skin with soap and water after contact with chemicals, and wash their hands after removing gloves.