Occupational exposure to solvents: field comparison of active and passive samplers and biological monitoring of exposed workers

Results from contemporaneous samples of solvents in air obtained using personal sampling pumps connected to activated charcoal tubes and passive dosimeters were compared. Good correlations were found between the data obtained with the two sampling systems for the three main solvents examined: styrene (fibreglass industry), toluene (printing) and n-hexane (shoe factory), Less good but statistically significant correlations were obtained for a further six solvents (2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane, methylcyclopentane, cyclohexane, acetone and ethyl acetate), found together with n-hexane. As regards styrene, toluene and n-hexane, excellent correlations were also found between daily time-weighted average (TWA) exposures measured using passive dosimeters and corresponding urinary metabolite levels. The data showed that passive dosimeters are reliable and represent a valid alternative to traditional active samplers. Furthermore, passive dosimeters turn out to be particularly advantageous in studies of contemporaneous environmental and biological monitoring as they are less expensive and easier to use than active samplers and allow the collection of more data.