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Assessment of airborne and dermal exposure to 2-ethoxyethyl acetate in an occupational environment
Tung-Sheng Shih1, Yu-Chieh Kuo, Ro-Han Liang
1Institute of Environmental Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Background:
Because of its chemical-physical properties, 2-ethoxyethyl acetate (EEAc) can penetrate through the skin. However, no actual occupational environmental studies or empirical dermal exposure measurements have been performed.
Methods:
Twenty workers from a commercial label silk screening shop were recruited and they completed a questionnaire of demographic information. Environmental monitoring of EEAc exposure via respiratory and dermal routes was performed for five consecutive working days.
Results:
Airborne EEAc concentration was over the permissible exposure limit of 5 ppm in 90% of the participants. The dermal EEAc concentration was highest on the palms. The EEAc concentration correlated with skin exposure level (P < 0.001). The dermal EEAc concentrations in individuals who did not wear gloves were higher than in those who wore gloves.
Conclusions:
EEAc on the skin is strongly associated with airborne EEAc. Wearing impermeable gloves during high-risk tasks (cleaning process) can reduce EEAc dermal exposure on the palms.
