Toluene in Rotogravure Printed Brochures: High Speed Emission Testing and Comparison with Exposure Data

Abstract

Residual solvent in rotogravure printed brochures has given rise to complaints and injury reports among postal workers in Denmark. A method has been developed for a fast determination of the emission of toluene from rotogravure printed brochures by use of the field and laboratory emission cell (FLEC). Emitted compounds were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Toluene head space concentration in packs of brochures was measured by use of a photoionization detector. The emission decay was monitored by use of the FLEC with photoionization detection or with sampling on Tenax TA. Highly time-resolved personal exposure measurements were performed during simulated mail handling in a 41-m³ test chamber using a newly developed photoacoustic infrared detector, paralleled by personal sampling on Tenax TA. Toluene constituted about 99 percent of the emission. Head space concentrations up to 2145 ppm were measured. The FLEC-photoionization detector measurements showed toluene emission decay curves rapidly decreasing during the first 1 to 3 minutes. Areas under the curves correlated with FLEC-Tenax measurements. The FLEC-photoionization detector method was repeatable and seemed to be reproducible. Highly time-resolved personal exposure measurements during simulated mail handling showed frequently repeated peak exposures exceeding the Danish occupational exposure limit. There was a fair correlation between personal exposure measurements, toluene head space measurements, and FLEC measurements. The FLEC-photoionization detector method yields a rapid determination of toluene emission and is recommended for on-line production quality control.