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Risk in cleaning: chemical and physical exposure
P Wolkoff1, T Schneider, J Kildesø
1National Institute of Occupational Health, Copenhagen, Denmark. pwo@ami.dk
The Science of the Total Environment
|May 26, 1998
Summary
Cleaning agents, especially disinfectants, release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other irritants, impacting cleaner health and indoor air quality. Further field studies are needed to measure cleaner exposure to these hazardous substances.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Health
- Indoor Air Quality
Background:
- Cleaning is a major global industry with widespread use of diverse cleaning agents.
- Health issues like allergies and asthma are reported among cleaners, yet product surveys are scarce.
- Cleaning agents pose risks to cleaners, building occupants, and indoor air quality (IAQ).
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of cleaning agents and their impact on health and IAQ.
- To identify the most hazardous cleaning agents and their chemical constituents.
- To highlight the need for more field studies on cleaner exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Main Methods:
- Literature review on cleaning agents, their functions, and associated health effects.
- Discussion of evaporative and non-evaporative substances in cleaning agents, focusing on VOCs.
- Analysis of existing laboratory and limited field studies on VOC emissions and cleaner exposure.
Main Results:
- Disinfectants are identified as the most hazardous group of cleaning agents.
- Cleaning agents significantly increase indoor VOC levels during and after use.
- Both volatile and non-volatile substances from cleaning agents can irritate airways.
Conclusions:
- Increased VOC levels from cleaning agents pose risks to cleaner short-term exposure and occupant IAQ.
- Fragrances and high-boiling VOCs influence emission duration and impact.
- More research, particularly field studies on personal exposure, is crucial for understanding and mitigating risks.