Assessment of inhalation risk for worker exposure to alcohol vapour in university laboratories

This study investigates the inhalation risks of occupational exposure to alcohol vapours among workers in university laboratories. The study focused on 3 types of alcohol which are ethanol, methanol, and isopropyl alcohol present in the university laboratories, and subsequently, the associated healt...

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Main Author: Looshinie, Kumaravelu
Format: Undergraduates Project Papers
Language:English
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45521/
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author Looshinie, Kumaravelu
author_facet Looshinie, Kumaravelu
author_sort Looshinie, Kumaravelu
building UMP Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description This study investigates the inhalation risks of occupational exposure to alcohol vapours among workers in university laboratories. The study focused on 3 types of alcohol which are ethanol, methanol, and isopropyl alcohol present in the university laboratories, and subsequently, the associated health risks. The research aims to assess exposure levels and potential health risks to inhaling alcohol vapour during routine laboratory activities such as disinfection and solvent preparation. The samples were collected from the breathing zones of the workers using the NIOSH 1400 method and were analysed using a gas chromatography-flame ionisation detector. Key factors influencing exposure, such as air velocity, relative humidity, and temperature were evaluated. Results showed that ethanol had the highest individual concentration at 2604.65 mg m-3. This value has exceeded the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 1880 mg m-3 according to USECCH Regulations 2000. The non-carcinogenic risk of ethanol also surpassed the reference value of 1 indicating that there are potential health risks due to the exposure to ethanol. Considering the high exposure concentrations and their associated non-carcinogenic risks, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the installation of ventilation systems are needed to reduce the exposure concentration of alcohol among the workers.
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format Undergraduates Project Papers
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institution Universiti Malaysia Pahang
institution_category Local University
language English
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publishDate 2025
recordtype eprints
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spelling ump-455212025-09-03T07:06:18Z https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45521/ Assessment of inhalation risk for worker exposure to alcohol vapour in university laboratories Looshinie, Kumaravelu HD Industries. Land use. Labor T Technology (General) This study investigates the inhalation risks of occupational exposure to alcohol vapours among workers in university laboratories. The study focused on 3 types of alcohol which are ethanol, methanol, and isopropyl alcohol present in the university laboratories, and subsequently, the associated health risks. The research aims to assess exposure levels and potential health risks to inhaling alcohol vapour during routine laboratory activities such as disinfection and solvent preparation. The samples were collected from the breathing zones of the workers using the NIOSH 1400 method and were analysed using a gas chromatography-flame ionisation detector. Key factors influencing exposure, such as air velocity, relative humidity, and temperature were evaluated. Results showed that ethanol had the highest individual concentration at 2604.65 mg m-3. This value has exceeded the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 1880 mg m-3 according to USECCH Regulations 2000. The non-carcinogenic risk of ethanol also surpassed the reference value of 1 indicating that there are potential health risks due to the exposure to ethanol. Considering the high exposure concentrations and their associated non-carcinogenic risks, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the installation of ventilation systems are needed to reduce the exposure concentration of alcohol among the workers. 2025-01 Undergraduates Project Papers NonPeerReviewed pdf en https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45521/1/Assessment%20of%20inhalation%20risk%20for%20worker%20exposure%20to%20alcohol%20vapour%20in%20university%20laboratories.pdf Looshinie, Kumaravelu (2025) Assessment of inhalation risk for worker exposure to alcohol vapour in university laboratories. Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology, Universti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah.
spellingShingle HD Industries. Land use. Labor
T Technology (General)
Looshinie, Kumaravelu
Assessment of inhalation risk for worker exposure to alcohol vapour in university laboratories
title Assessment of inhalation risk for worker exposure to alcohol vapour in university laboratories
title_full Assessment of inhalation risk for worker exposure to alcohol vapour in university laboratories
title_fullStr Assessment of inhalation risk for worker exposure to alcohol vapour in university laboratories
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of inhalation risk for worker exposure to alcohol vapour in university laboratories
title_short Assessment of inhalation risk for worker exposure to alcohol vapour in university laboratories
title_sort assessment of inhalation risk for worker exposure to alcohol vapour in university laboratories
topic HD Industries. Land use. Labor
T Technology (General)
url https://umpir.ump.edu.my/id/eprint/45521/