Chemical Exposure Assessment in Traditional Korean Pottery Workplaces

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Occupational Hygiene
• Materials Science

Background:

• Traditional Korean pottery workplaces involve exposure to various airborne hazardous substances.
• Key substances assessed include total particulate matter (TPM), respirable suspended particles (RSPs), respirable crystalline silica (RCS), carbon monoxide (CO), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify occupational exposure levels to specific airborne hazardous substances in traditional Korean pottery settings.
• To identify high-risk tasks and workplace types contributing to elevated exposure levels.

Main Methods:

• Conducted measurements in diverse settings: small studio, college facility, and outdoor climbing kiln.
• Employed task-based sampling for TPM, RSP, and RCS, alongside real-time monitoring for nanoparticles, CO, and TVOCs.

Main Results:

• Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exceeded the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) threshold-limit value (TLV) in 5.2% of samples, primarily during shaping/trimming.
• Nanoparticles constituted a significant portion of particle number concentrations, with high emissions during kiln operation.
• Carbon monoxide (CO) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) peaked during firing, particularly in climbing kilns, though CO remained below the TLV.

Conclusions:

• Artisanal pottery production presents risks of exposure to fine particles and gases, especially in indoor studios and during shaping/trimming.
• Implementing targeted control strategies, such as peephole closure and exhaust ventilation, can effectively reduce emissions.
• Further research and intervention are needed to mitigate occupational health risks in traditional pottery workplaces.