Abstract
This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the concentration of indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and to investigate the association between indoor VOCs exposure and the prevalence of hypertension among thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) workers. A total of 20 canisters were used to collect VOCs samples in the array, cell and module areas over 12 hours and VOCs concentrations were analyzed by the gas chromatography with mass spectrum. Individual information of health examination and lifestyles by self-administrated questionnaire were provided by 155 volunteers. The multivariate regression models were used to evaluate the associations between VOCs exposure, blood pressure and the prevalence of hypertension. The four dominant VOCs were ethanol (1870.8 ± 1754.0 ppb), acetone (689.9 ± 587.4 ppb), isopropyl alcohol (177.1 ± 202.3 ppb) and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (98.2 ± 100.8 ppb), which were identified with the highest level in the module area for ethanol and acetone and in the array area for the others. Subjects exposed to a total level of ethanol, cyclohexanone and toluene ≥ 2500 ppb had an increased systolic blood pressure of 5.95 mmHg (95% confidence interval: 0.20–11.71; p = 0.043) compared with those exposed to <2500 ppb. Exposure to mixed VOCs in the indoor environment might be associated with elevated blood pressure among TFT-LCD workers.
Highlights
The manufacturing of thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) is one of the important industries worldwide, and many digital or electrical products use the TFT-LCD as a panel or monitor, such as personal computers, laptops, televisions, mobile phones, tablets and handheld video game systems
This study showed that ethanol, acetone, isopropyl alcohol and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PGMEA) were four domain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) measured in the indoor environment of a TFT-LCD factory
Both ethanol and acetone were identified at the highest levels in the module workstation and isopropyl alcohol and PGMEA were found at the highest levels in the array process
Summary
The manufacturing of thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) is one of the important industries worldwide, and many digital or electrical products use the TFT-LCD as a panel or monitor, such as personal computers, laptops, televisions, mobile phones, tablets and handheld video game systems. The emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) occurs in the production of TFT-LCD panels, which involves three major groups of array, cell and module assembly processes. The array process fabricates the transistors on a glass substrate, the cell process joins the arrayed substrate to the color-filter substrate filling with liquid crystal between the two spaces and the module assembly process connects additional components (i.e., driver-integrated circuits and backlight units) to the fabricated glass. Many studies have reported the associations between some VOCs exposure and increased blood pressure. A cohort study demonstrated a relationship between alcohol consumption (>120 g/week, equal to 4556 ppb under the assumption of 20 m3 /day for inhalation rates at 25 ◦ C and 760 mmHg) and elevated ambulatory systolic blood pressure (SBP) among 248 subjects [5]. An animal study observed the pulmonary hypertension and elevated vascular resistance after the cyclohexanone instillation [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
