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Measuring Short-Term Exposures to H2O2 Among Exposed Workers; A Feasibility Study
Nancy B Hopf1, Jean-Jacques Sauvain1, Samantha L Connell2
1Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), Affiliated to University of Lausanne, Route de la Corniche 2, 1066 Epalinges-Lausanne, Switzerland.
Annals of Work Exposures and Health
|September 29, 2022
Summary
New methods accurately measure airborne hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and oxidative potential (OP), revealing high exposures for hairdressers and bottling plant workers. This can inform occupational exposure limits for airway protection.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Analytical Chemistry
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is an oxidizing agent used in hair coloring and disinfection, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) linked to airway irritation.
- Current occupational exposure limits (OELs) for H2O2 may not adequately protect workers due to limitations in measuring low or peak airborne concentrations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate sensitive analytical methods for measuring airborne H2O2 and total oxidative potential (OP) in occupational settings.
- To assess H2O2 and OP exposure levels in two distinct work environments: hairdressing and industrial disinfection.
Main Methods:
- Luminol chemiluminescence (CL) was used for specific H2O2 measurement.
- A photonic sensor based on the ferrous-xylenol orange assay was employed to measure total OP.
- Exposure monitoring was conducted in simulated and field settings for hairdressers and in a bottling plant disinfection process.
Main Results:
- Hair coloring activities generated the highest H2O2 concentrations, with application being the peak exposure period.
- Oxidative potential (OP) values strongly correlated with H2O2 concentrations, enabling detection of H2O2 levels as low as 6 µg m-3.
- In a bottling plant, a photonic sensor was saturated by the disinfectant, while CL indicated peak operator exposure during a 15-min disinfection cycle.
Conclusions:
- Sensitive direct-reading methods are needed for field deployment to assess H2O2 and OP exposures.
- Establishing an OEL for OP could offer better protection against airway irritation and inflammation caused by oxidizing chemicals in the workplace.
