Developing a method for assessing occupational risk related to combined exposure to UV radiation and chemical agents

Project manager: Agnieszka Wolska Ph.D. (Eng.)

Project summary:

The aim of the project was to develop - on the basis of the results - a method and criteria for assessing occupational risk related to combined exposure to natural UV radiation and phototoxic substances present in asphalt fumes.Road construction workers involved in surfacing roads and producing asphalt were the subjects of this study. They were exposed to the combined effect of natural UV radiation and chemical agents.The project involved developing a method of measuring workers' exposure to UV radiation and a method of measuring the intensity of inhalation and dermal exposure to chemical agents of workers surfacing roads. Pilot measurements of exposure to the combined effect of natural UV radiation and chemical agents took place; they were used to verify the developed methods. Those measurements were followed with measurements of combined exposure to natural UV radiation and phototoxic substances present in asphalt fumes at 88 workstations.An analysis of the results was used as a basis for developing criteria and methods for assessing occupational risk related to combined exposure to natural UV radiation and phototoxic substances.Measurement data for workers exposed to erythmal radiation were used to develop criteria for occupational risk assessment and to estimate exposure rates on a given day.

Unit: Department of Safety Engineering

Duration: 01.01.2008 – 30.12.2010