Use of organic solvents and potential worker exposure in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry.

This survey was designed to assist with planning epidemiologic studies of the effects of solvent exposure among motor vehicle manufacturing workers. The objectives were to identify subgroups of workers with solvent exposure, and to evaluate the availability of data for a job-exposure matrix (JEM). Of 65 plants selected, 31 (48%) participated. Participant plants represent all production activities initially included in the survey, and employ 97,655 hourly workers. About 14% of these workers use organic solvents (direct exposure), and 19% work in the proximity of solvent-using operations (indirect exposure). However, only 3% have direct exposure, and 6% have indirect exposure to large-volume (> or = 100 gallons/month)/high-frequency (hourly)-use solvents. The highest solvent exposure prevalence occurs in plants manufacturing engines and power train components and in metal degreasing/cleaning and painting tasks, and entails exposure to petroleum fractions, aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, and ketones. A JEM can be developed using plant records on job titles, work histories, production scheduling, and plant engineering, and using the corporate computerized personnel and industrial hygiene databases. However, information on solvent use and on exposure is adequate only for recent time periods.