Quantitative assessment of airborne exposures generated during common cleaning tasks: a pilot study

dc.contributor.authorBello, Anila
dc.contributor.authorQuinn, Margaret M
dc.contributor.authorPerry, Melissa J
dc.contributor.authorMilton, Donald K
dc.date.accessioned2021-11-15T15:10:09Z
dc.date.available2021-11-15T15:10:09Z
dc.date.issued2010-11-30
dc.description.abstractA growing body of epidemiologic evidence suggests an association between exposure to cleaning products with asthma and other respiratory disorders. Thus far, these studies have conducted only limited quantitative exposure assessments. Exposures from cleaning products are difficult to measure because they are complex mixtures of chemicals with a range of physicochemical properties, thus requiring multiple measurement techniques. We conducted a pilot exposure assessment study to identify methods for assessing short term, task-based airborne exposures and to quantitatively evaluate airborne exposures associated with cleaning tasks simulated under controlled work environment conditions. Sink, mirror, and toilet bowl cleaning tasks were simulated in a large ventilated bathroom and a small unventilated bathroom using a general purpose, a glass, and a bathroom cleaner. All tasks were performed for 10 minutes. Airborne total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) generated during the tasks were measured using a direct reading instrument (DRI) with a photo ionization detector. Volatile organic ingredients of the cleaning mixtures were assessed utilizing an integrated sampling and analytic method, EPA TO-17. Ammonia air concentrations were also measured with an electrochemical sensor embedded in the DRI. Average TVOC concentrations calculated for 10 minute tasks ranged 0.02 - 6.49 ppm and the highest peak concentrations observed ranged 0.14-11 ppm. TVOC time concentration profiles indicated that exposures above background level remained present for about 20 minutes after cessation of the tasks. Among several targeted VOC compounds from cleaning mixtures, only 2-BE was detectable with the EPA method. The ten minute average 2- BE concentrations ranged 0.30 -21 ppm between tasks. The DRI underestimated 2-BE exposures compared to the results from the integrated method. The highest concentration of ammonia of 2.8 ppm occurred during mirror cleaning. Our results indicate that airborne exposures from short-term cleaning tasks can remain in the air even after tasks' cessation, suggesting potential exposures to anyone entering the room shortly after cleaning. Additionally, 2-BE concentrations from cleaning could approach occupational exposure limits and warrant further investigation. Measurement methods applied in this study can be useful for workplace assessment of airborne exposures during cleaning, if the limitations identified here are addressed.en_US
dc.description.urihttps://doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-9-76
dc.identifierhttps://doi.org/10.13016/3q6a-dzhk
dc.identifier.citationBello, A., Quinn, M.M., Perry, M.J. et al. Quantitative assessment of airborne exposures generated during common cleaning tasks: a pilot study. Environ Health 9, 76 (2010).en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/28109
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherSpringer Natureen_US
dc.relation.isAvailableAtSchool of Public Health
dc.relation.isAvailableAtMaryland Institute of Applied Environmental Health
dc.relation.isAvailableAtDigital Repository at the University of Maryland
dc.relation.isAvailableAtUniversity of Maryland (College Park, Md)
dc.subjectVolatile Organic Compounden_US
dc.subjectCleaning Producten_US
dc.subjectCleaning Workeren_US
dc.subjectTotal Volatile Organic Compounden_US
dc.subjectCleaning Tasken_US
dc.titleQuantitative assessment of airborne exposures generated during common cleaning tasks: a pilot studyen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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