Milja Mäkinen1, Markku Linnainmaa. 1. Kuopio Regional Institute of Occupational Health, PO Box 93, FIN-70701 Kuopio, Finland. milja.makinen@ttl.fi
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to measure the dermal and respiratory exposure levels of hexavalent chromium during electroplating work. METHODS: Potential dermal exposure of the body was measured with patch samples and actual exposure of hands with hand-wash samples. For comparison, personal air samples were also collected. RESULTS: The exposure varied widely between workers. The range of body and hand exposure to the electroplating solution was 0.17-28.1 mg/h and 0.04-6.37 mg/h, respectively. Hands and lower limbs were the most contaminated body parts. CONCLUSIONS: The results of breathing zone samples and dermal exposure did not correlate with each other. In manual electroplating processes, dermal exposure was higher than in semi-automatic and automatic processes. The amount of hexavalent chromium the workers were exposed to is probably high enough to cause a risk of skin sensitization.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to measure the dermal and respiratory exposure levels of hexavalent chromium during electroplating work. METHODS: Potential dermal exposure of the body was measured with patch samples and actual exposure of hands with hand-wash samples. For comparison, personal air samples were also collected. RESULTS: The exposure varied widely between workers. The range of body and hand exposure to the electroplating solution was 0.17-28.1 mg/h and 0.04-6.37 mg/h, respectively. Hands and lower limbs were the most contaminated body parts. CONCLUSIONS: The results of breathing zone samples and dermal exposure did not correlate with each other. In manual electroplating processes, dermal exposure was higher than in semi-automatic and automatic processes. The amount of hexavalent chromium the workers were exposed to is probably high enough to cause a risk of skin sensitization.