Evaluation of Employee Exposure to Organic Tin Compounds Used as Stabilizers at PVC Processing Facilities

Abstract

Organic tin compounds are primary substances used as heat stabilizers by the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) industry. The use of these compounds in the PVC industry is generally well controlled, usually by automated processes. This study was conducted to provide an overview of worker exposure to organic tin compounds at PVC processing facilities and to verify that these exposures are below the threshold limit value (TLV^®) set by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists for organic tin. The basis of the TLV indicates the principal concern is to minimize adverse effects on immune function and the central nervous system from airborne exposure to organic tin. The TLV has a skin designation based on the potential for percutaneous absorption; the TLVs for inhalation exposures are based on the presumption that there is no concurrent exposure via the skin and oral ingestion routes.

Personal exposure monitoring was conducted following the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 5504 sampling method and a modified version of the NIOSH analytical method. The results were reported as “total tin.” The data indicated no average exposure levels for individual tasks exceeded the organic tin TLV, and 96% of results the samples were less than 20% of the TLV. Only 1 sample of 102 exceeded the TLV, and the individual was wearing appropriate respiratory protection. Subsequent investigation indicated the highest exposures occurred while the operators were conducting tasks that included manual handling of the organic tin compounds. These data suggest manual operations may have a greater potential for organic tin exposure.

Keywords:

• NIOSH Method 5504
• organic tin compounds
• personal exposure monitoring
• Tin Stabilizers Association

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to acknowledge Max Grasso of Reagens Canada Ltd. and Graham Knowles of the Vinyl Council of Canada for their contributions to the initial portion of this study.

The ORTEPA, the Vinyl Council of Canada, and the Tin Stabilizers Association funded this project.

A committee made up of participants in the Environmental Management Program of the Vinyl Council of Canada, the Tin Stabilizers Association, and ORTEPA designed the study.

We also express our gratitude to the PVC processing companies and their employees who agreed to provide access to their processing locations and assistance for the sampling.