Quantitative Risk Analysis and Control Measure Evaluation for Workplace Exposure to Aliphatic Amines: Case Study in a Foundry Sector

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Baqiyatallah University of medical sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 PhD Student, Medical Library and Information Science, Department of Medical Library and Information Science, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

10.48307/iahsj.2024.411438.1043

Abstract

Aims: This study proposed a Quantitative Risk Analysis and Control Measure Evaluation for Workplace Exposure to Aliphatic Amines in a foundry sector.
Methods: The study encompassed four main phases: risk analysis, determination of weight coefficients for exposure probability reduction, uncertainty analysis, and evaluation of implemented risk control measures. During the risk analysis phase, air samples were collected and analyzed to identify the presence of aliphatic amines and assess associated risk levels. The weight coefficients for reducing exposure probability were established using the full consistency method (FUCOM), with a panel of experts ranking workplace, administrative, and individual controls to determine these coefficients. Uncertainty analysis employed the Monte-Carlo (MC) method to generate triangular distributions for the weight coefficients, facilitating a comprehensive evaluation of potential uncertainties.
Results: The environmental monitoring of the industry revealed the presence of five aliphatic amines, with specific units (B and C) showing exposure risks to tri-ethylamine above the adjusted TLV. Additionally, the risk of exposure to mixed aliphatic amines was significant across all units. Deterministic weighting using the FUCOM method allocated the highest importance (0.66) to workplace controls for reducing risk probability. Uncertainty analysis using MC modified the weighted coefficients to 0.78 for the workplace, 0.18 for administrative, and 0.13 for individual controls, with 85-95% confidence levels. Evaluation of the implemented controls in the industry indicated specific features at different control levels, with experts estimating risk reduction levels of 10.4% for individual controls, 9% for administrative control, and 7.8% for workplace control.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the critical importance of implementing and evaluating control measures for workplace exposure to aliphatic amines in the studied industry.

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International Archives of Health Sciences

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 26 February 2024

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History

  • Receive Date: 21 August 2023
  • Revise Date: 17 January 2024
  • Accept Date: 17 February 2024

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