Comparing the risk of formaldehyde in a plywood manufacturing factory with two risk assessment methods / 中国职业医学

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare and analyze the risk of formaldehyde hazards in a plywood manufacturing factory using two risk assessment methods,and to evaluate the occupational health risk. METHODS: Occupational health investigation and formaldehyde detection for workplaces were carried out in a plywood manufacturing factory in Shandong province. The risk ratings of different posts were assessed by US Environmental Protection Agency( EPA) inhalation risk( EPA assessment model) and Singapore Semi-quantitative Assessment Model( MOM assessment model). The risk classification results of the 2 risk assessment methods were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: The concentration of airborne formaldehyde on the positions of shaving,woods feeding,gluing,hot milling,hot pressing,sanding and reprocessing were 0. 25,0. 13,1. 47,0. 72,0. 92 and 0. 58 mg/m~3,respectively. By the EPA assessment model,all of the positions were evaluated as high carcinogenic risk. Through the MOM assessment model,the feeding position was evaluated as medium risk,the positions of shaving,hot milling,hot pressing sanding and reprocessing were high risk,and the position of gluing was higher risk. CONCLUSION: It suggests that there is a high formaldehyde exposure in several posts in the plywood production processing. EPA assessment model is a suitable for occupational health risk assessment for formaldehyde exposure.