Estimating benzene exposure at a solvent parts washer.

A mathematical model is described for estimating benzene exposure at a parts washer using petroleum distillates solvent containing benzene. The basic assumptions are that the benzene mass emission rate exponentially decreases over time, and that the air above the parts washer basin to which a worker is exposed is part of a well-mixed air zone termed the near field (relative to the source location). Two previously conducted simulations of the parts washer process are described. A single 1-hour time-weighted average (TWA) benzene concentration was measured during Simulation #1, and two 4-hour TWA benzene concentrations were measured during Simulation #2. The initial benzene concentrations in the solvents were known, and the exponential loss rate constants were estimated from subsequent determinations of the benzene concentrations. Values for the interzonal airflow rate were estimated based on the conceptual geometry of the near field zone and sparse information on air speed near the parts washers. Minimum values for the room supply/exhaust air rate were estimated based on the room volumes and ventilation conditions. The modeled benzene concentrations were within a multiplicative range of one-half to twofold the measured concentrations. Uncertainty in a model estimate was quantified by Monte Carlo analysis; the distributions of model estimates exhibited coefficients of variation of approximately 40%. Issues related to uncertainty in exposure estimates made by mathematical modeling are discussed.