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Lothrop N, Sandoval F, Cortez I, Wagoner R, Lopez-Galvez N, Parra K, Wolf AM, Wertheim BC, Quijada C, Lee A, Griffin S, Bell M, Carvajal S, Ingram M, Beamer P. Studying full-shift inhalation exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) among Latino workers in very small-sized beauty salons and auto repair shops. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1300677. [PMID: 38106905 PMCID: PMC10722412 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1300677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background One in every 200 US jobs is in a beauty salon or auto repair shop, where workers are regularly exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may cause a range of short- and long-term health issues. In these shops, Latino workers are overrepresented and lack culturally and linguistically appropriate industrial hygiene resources. This leaves a gap in knowledge on inhalation exposures to VOCs in this hard-to-reach and ubiquitous worker population. Objective Our goal was to recruit hard-to-reach, predominantly Spanish-speaking workers in beauty salons and auto repair shops and monitor total VOC inhalation exposures for over entire work shifts, with minimal impact on workers, clients, and business. Methods We developed and refined measurement and exposure assessment methods for personal and area full-shift VOC inhalation exposures. Results With minimal participant loss, we measured over 500 h of real-time, personal VOC exposures and recorded activities and other exposure factors for 47 participants, while also documenting chemical inventories and quantifying indoor area concentrations of specific VOCs among 10 auto repair shops and 10 beauty salons. Conclusion Lessons learned from our study can assist future studies of inhalation exposures in other hard-to-reach occupational populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Lothrop
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Flor Sandoval
- Sonora Environmental Research Institute, Inc., Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Imelda Cortez
- Sonora Environmental Research Institute, Inc., Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Rietta Wagoner
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Nicolas Lopez-Galvez
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Kimberly Parra
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Ann Marie Wolf
- Sonora Environmental Research Institute, Inc., Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Betsy C. Wertheim
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Carolina Quijada
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Amanda Lee
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Stephanie Griffin
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Melanie Bell
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Scott Carvajal
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Maia Ingram
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Paloma Beamer
- Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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Lynch HN, Allen LH, Hamaji CM, Maier A. Strategies for refinement of occupational inhalation exposure evaluation in the EPA TSCA risk evaluation process. Toxicol Ind Health 2023; 39:169-182. [PMID: 36656073 PMCID: PMC9999275 DOI: 10.1177/07482337221145988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The focus on occupational exposures in the first published risk evaluations of existing chemicals by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) puts a welcome spotlight on protecting the health of workers in the United States. Because new, fit-for-purpose occupational exposure assessment methodologies were developed by EPA, the objective of this analysis was to evaluate these methodologies in light of other existing occupational risk assessment frameworks. We focused our analysis on three chlorinated chemicals (methylene chloride, carbon tetrachloride, perchloroethylene). The EPA's methods were evaluated relative to peer-reviewed and professional organizations' guidelines for conducting site- and facility-based exposure assessment. Analyses of several key phases in the EPA approach were conducted to evaluate the effect of alternative approaches on exposure estimates. The revised exposure estimates using these alternative approaches yielded substantially different exposure estimates from those in the TSCA risk evaluations for these chemicals. The results also demonstrated the importance of utilizing a tiered approach to exposure estimation that includes collecting qualitative data, defining similar exposure groups, and integrating well-parameterized models with empirical data. These approaches aid in preventing mischaracterization of exposures and generating exposure estimates representative of current industrial practices. Collaboration among industry, EPA, and other government agencies to develop a harmonized approach to exposure assessment would improve the methodological rigor of, and increase stakeholder confidence in, the results of TSCA risk evaluations.
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Renée Anthony T. From the Editor: JOEH supplemental materials. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2019; 16:D13-D14. [PMID: 30958240 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2019.1546040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
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