Exposure Work
Consumer painting exposure study using robots begins!
In the previous edition of “Solutions“, we shared a ground-breaking approach to address consumer exposure to chemicals. We are delighted to inform you that the project, led by the LOA (Lower Olefins and Aromatics) REACH Consortium, the Long-Range Research Initiative (LRI) of the American Chemistry Council (ACC), and ESIG, has now entered the experimental phase.
The test chamber was set up at Chemistry and Industrial Hygiene Inc. (C&IH) in Colorado, USA and the robot was programmed by researchers from the University of Texas (UT) at Austin. A pilot trial week is about to start and “our” robot will conduct the work over summer.
The robot will paint five identical panels using seven different types of paints over 21 shifts. Two photoionisation detectors (PIDs) – devices used to continuously measure the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) – will collect samples from the breathing zone and by-stander locations.
In addition, three long-term, integrated air samples will be collected from the approximate breathing zone to estimate time-weighted average concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons for each paint. Real-time temperature and humidity as well as air exchange rates will be monitored as part of the project.
The robot will continue its work for five weeks. Once completed, the raw data will be analysed and compared to exposure estimates from models such as ConsExpo or EGRET. Stay tuned for more details in the upcoming Winter edition!
SpERCs
Despite previous announcements, we experience some delay with the publication of the remaining 11 SpERC factsheets and related background documents. Our experts have thoroughly conducted their work. The delay is due to ongoing updates to Petrorisk which will effect several of the previously updated SpERCs. We deem it better to best wait several more weeks and publish on comprehensive update off all factsheets and background documents.