Indoor Air Quality in Industrial Premises
- Publication date
- Publisher
- RTU
Abstract
The study focuses on indoor air quality (microclimate, chemicals) in industrial premises. The health risks are
determined. A model with numerical criteria is offered to assess the level of occupational hazards (indoor air
climate) using a simple/flexible risk assessment method. Practical examples and the results of measurements of
microclimate (temperature, humidity, and velocity of the air) and chemical concentrations in the workplace air
in five industries (mechanical, printing, wood, plastic and clothing industries) are presented. The connections
between risk levels and possible health damages are presented. In the wood processing industry the
concentration of solvents: toluene (1- 941 mg/ m3); xylene (2.5-347 mg/ m3); butanol (0.5- 285 mg/ m3) and
styrene (1-208 mg/ m3)) is considered to be unacceptable risk for workers’ health. The model is presented for
taking into consideration the concentration of chemicals in the air of the work environment and possible
negative health effects. The microclimate is under control except during very warm climate in summer. The
chemicals are under control in printing, mechanical (except welding in closed workrooms), and clothing
industry. The simple/flexible risk assessment method is suitable for enterprises processing materials or handling
chemicals in some stages, but cannot be applied for chemical plants where several other factors should be taken
into account