Occupational noise and solvent exposure in the printing industry

Abstract

The study examined the effects on hearing from occupational noise and solvent exposure in the printing industry and was conducted by measuring a selection of workers’ daily noise dose, sampling personal solvent exposures and audiometric testing before and after shifts for the detection of a hearing threshold shift. Audiometric test results were inconclusive due to the inadequate testing areas provided at each workplace. Personal monitoring confirmed that where solvent exposure occurs, high noise levels are usually also present. Fifty-three percent of the noise dose level measurements exceeded the statutory limit LAeq,8h of 85 dB and a further 9% exceeded the limit of 140 dB (Lin). Twenty-two percent of the analyzed solvent exposure samples revealed benzene, with 5% exceeding the worksafe exposure standard of 16 mg/m3. The lack of essential information contained in Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for substances used in the printing industry was highlighted. Accurate MSDSs are required to assist employers in discharging their obligation to provide correct information about hazardous substances to employees under the Workplace Health and Safety Act of 1995, as well as the hazards associated with those substances. Better information is required in an MSDS, from manufacturers and suppliers, as to the specific properties and health hazards of a hazardous substance.