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Investigations of Cleaning Product Sprays

Benjamin, Michael L

Abstract Details

2017, MS, University of Cincinnati, Medicine: Industrial Hygiene (Environmental Health).
Off-the-shelf cleaning product sprays are commonly used by consumers to perform cleaning tasks at home. However, these cleaning products may also be used by workers such as professional cleaners or home healthcare workers, potentially causing greater exposures when used in large quantities or when used multiple times during a shift. Recent concerns have arisen about cleaning products containing irritant chemicals due to their association with asthma. For many small businesses, personnel responsible for evaluating hazards to employees from off-the-shelf cleaning products rely on safety data sheets (SDSs) available on the Internet as a key information resource. These safety data sheets may list different Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) for the same ingredients, which can make decision-making a challenge. The objective of this first project was to assess the prevalence of different OEL values listed for chemicals in consumer products using their safety data sheets. The project showed that roughly 80% of the products surveyed in two stores had safety data sheets available, with 35% having SDSs with OELs from other countries. These results represent a training opportunity for small businesses, where guidance on interpreting chemical hazard information could be helpful. Of the cleaning products surveyed in two stores, 78% of those with SDSs had chemical ingredients and their concentrations listed in Section 3 of the product SDS. The objective of the second project was to use this ingredient information to predict air concentrations that could be produced under a worst-case scenario. By dividing the predicted air concentrations by the lowest occupational exposure limit for that chemical, a hazard quotient can be calculated to prioritize which chemicals would pose the greatest risk. While no chemical ingredients indicated worst-case air concentrations above occupational exposure limits, several were in a range that would justify exposure monitoring. In the future, this process can allow for more judicious use of resources for air monitoring by prioritizing chemicals presenting higher risks. When cleaning product sprays are used, exposure measurements are based on the vapor phase of the product ingredients. However, past work has shown that propellant-based products can produce aerosol particles which can be inhaled. Most products today use a trigger spray, which is expected to produce larger particles than those from aerosol cans, but aerosol droplets may still be inhaled during use. These aerosol droplets may impart a higher dose to the user than vapor alone and may present a risk to susceptible users. The objective of the third project was to use instrumentation (a DustTrak™ II monitor) to measure aerosols produced from two cleaners containing acetic acid, one vinegar recipe and one name brand spray. Results for both cleaners showed aerosol production peaked very quickly after spraying but dissipated within 4 minutes, with peak concentrations less than 100 ug/m³ and 4 minute averages less than 10 ug/m³. Future work in this area should optimize the technique such as producing full trigger pulls, which may produce more realistic aerosol levels compared to what was observed here.
Michael Maier, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Nancy Burton, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Sergey Grinshpun, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
100 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Benjamin, M. L. (2017). Investigations of Cleaning Product Sprays [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1504873614623952

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Benjamin, Michael. Investigations of Cleaning Product Sprays. 2017. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1504873614623952.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Benjamin, Michael. "Investigations of Cleaning Product Sprays." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1504873614623952

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)