Comparison of ConsExpo estimated exposure levels to glycol ethers during professional cleaning work to existing regulatory occupational exposure limit values

Abstract

Objectives. Researchers have shown that cleaning workers have an increased risk of asthma and rhinitis, mainly due to exposure to chemical substances present in the cleaning products they use. Among the important substances are glycol ethers, increasingly used as components in cleaning products. This study aimed to assess exposure levels of glycol ether in professional cleaning products and compare them to existing regulatory exposure limit values. Methods. Information from safety data sheets of the products is used to identify the glycol ethers present in the cleaning products and their respective concentrations. Other sources were used to obtain the relevant data required for use in the tool to generate exposure assessments. Exposure levels for various cleaning work exposure scenarios were estimated using the ConsExpo Web tool. Results. The estimated exposure values are significantly lower than the existing regulatory occupational exposure limit (OEL) values for the different glycol ethers. Conclusions. The study showed that the risk of exposure to glycol ethers by inhalation from professional cleaning products is minimal as exposure estimates were much below the regulatory OEL values.

Keywords:

• safety data sheet
• exposure assessment
• ConsExpo Web tool
• exposure scenario
• cleaning work

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Sharon McNulty from Health and Safety Authority (Ireland) for her significant contribution to this work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.