Field Assessments of Potential Dermal Sensitizer Exposures at Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Shops
Abstract
Field assessments were performed at two aircraft maintenance shops to determine the presence and, if possible, surface concentrations of a selection of chemicals in operational settings that are known or suspected dermal sensitizers. The Hill AFB Low Observable Aircraft Structural Maintenance (LOASM) corrosion control shop and Wright Patterson AFB 445th Airlift Wing MXS maintenance shop were chosen because of analysis of industrial hygiene reports indicating that the presence of five potential dermal sensitizers were likely to be encountered during each sampling event: hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], epichlorohydrin (EpiChl), manganese dioxide (MnO2), hexamethylene diisocyanate(HMDI), and xylene. Cr(VI), HMDI, and xylene were detected in the air during specific processes at each shop. At both shops, the workers wore full face respirators and Tyvek suits during work processes, so air exposures were only representative of what their exposure would have been without that personal protective equipment (PPE) and not their actual exposure during each process. At both locations, Cr(VI) and total chromium (total Cr) were present in surface wipes associated with all processes. Furthermore, pre-process hand wipes collected at both shops had detectable chromium levels. Both findings indicated that there were residual chromium surface levels that could not be directly tied toa single instance of a specific process. Therefore, dermal chromium exposure had the potential to occur before or after active processes, especially if lesser amounts of PPE were worn during setup or cleanup that would increase the likelihood of dermal contact with work surfaces. Although some surface levels of chromium were present in transition areas, the levels were lower than the workrooms, which suggested effectiveness of controls to lower potential exposures in transition areas where less PPE was required.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 11, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1218780
Entities
People
- Andrew Keebaugh
- David R. Mattie
- John Hatch
- Laura Mills
- Megan Steele
- Robert Bradford