Industrial hygenist - Speech or Presentation Example

Acetone Exposure Limits Affiliation Acetone Exposure Limits According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (2015), the permissible exposure limit (PEL) to acetone is 1000 ppm or 2400 mg/m3 for the general industry. Exposures can be determined by calculating total-weighted average (TWA) that is the average exposure within a specified period of time, usually a 8-hour period of working hours per day is recommended by OSHA. In this case, the prevailing exposures are 700 ppm for 3 hours, 1300 ppm for 2 hours and 900 ppm for 3 hours.

Time-Weighted Average (TWA) = CaTa + CbTb + . + CnTn 8-hr periodWhere; TWA = Time-Weighted Average, Ca = Concentration of air contaminant during the sampling period a, Ta = Time of sampling period a, Cb = Concentration of contaminant during the sampling period b, Tb = Time of sampling period b, Cn = Concentration of contaminant during the sampling period n, where n is the last of a series of contaminants and Tn = Time of sampling period n.

Thus, TWA = 700 ppm * 3 hr + 1300 ppm * 2 hours + 900 ppm * 3 hours 3 hr + 2 hr + 3 hr=2100ppmhr + 2600 ppmhr + 2700 ppmhr = 7400 ppmhr 8 hr 8 hr= 925 ppmThis TWA (925) ppm is below the PEL 1000 ppm. Thus, the plant management shows compliance to the OSHA’s established PEL. However, it is advisable to reduce the levels of exposure further to prevent the slight irritation effects of acetone on the eyes, nose and respiratory system.

An employee can also be exposed to higher levels than the PEL for limited hours provided the average concentrations within a period of 8 hours do not go beyond the Permissible Exposure Limit. Thus, exposure to 1300 ppm for 2 hours is allowed.ReferenceChemical Sampling Information (26th May 2015). Acetone. Retrived from https://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_216600.htm