Occurrence of selected volatile organic compounds in a bra cup manufacturing facility

Abstract

This article presents a review of the types and levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC) detected in a bra cup manufacturing facility (considering the past 4 years) while conducting a human health risk assessment to selected VOCs. Most of the tested VOCs were undetected, except in the flocking section in 2014. However, from time to time dichloromethane and toluene were detected in the facility. Dichloromethane levels showed an increase with time in the laminating section (except during 2014) with drastically higher levels in 2015. SWIFT VS1 6016/5A (an adhesive) as per the material safety data sheet (MSDS) was the dichloromethane source. However, none of the MSDS revealed the occurrence of carcinogenic benzene (which was detected in 2014 in the flocking section) and 1,4-dichlorobenzene (which was detected in 2013 in the laminating and injection molding sections) and non-carcinogenic toluene indicating that MSDS do not accurately provide the identity of chemicals. Hazard Indices (HI) for non-carcinogenic VOCs and the total lifetime cancer risks (LCRs) and occupational exposure indices (E i ) for carcinogenic VOCs varied during the different time periods. Toluene in many cases accounted for 100 % of the HI. LCRs and E i of dichloromethane accounted for 100 % of the total LCR and total E i , respectively (except in the flocking section in 2014). LCR and E i of the individual VOCs (even the total LCR and E i values) were simultaneously high whenever the levels of the individual VOCs had exceeded the regulatory limits posing a health risk. Some measures needed to prevent exposure to VOCs are discussed in this article.