Wed, 6/3: 9:15 AM - 9:45 AM CDT
Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center
This presentation shares findings from a multi-company study characterizing worker exposures to styrene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) installations using steam, hot water, and ultraviolet (UV) curing methods. Researchers measured personal and area air concentrations of styrene across various tasks, cure stages, liner sizes, and ventilation scenarios. Results showed that exposures were highest during steam and water curing, especially when workers were near uncured liners, and lowest during UV curing. Liner volume and company practices significantly influenced exposure levels. Ventilation and liner barriers helped reduce exposures, but additional controls may be needed to consistently keep exposures below recommended limits. This assessment provides new insights into exposure determinants and effective controls for styrene and VOCs in CIPP installations.
A Foreman, Respiratory Health Division (RHD), NIOSH, Morgantown, WV
Lisa Kobos, RHD/NIOSH
Dru Burns, RHD/NIOSH
Eun Gyung Lee, RHD/NIOSH
Xiaoming Liang, RHD/NIOSH
Talia Alexander, RHD/NIOSH
Allyson W. O'Connor, RHD/NIOSH
Suzanne Tomasi, RHD/NIOSH
Dylan Neu, Division of Field Studies and Engineering/NIOSH, Cincinnati, OH
Marcia Stanton, RHD/NIOSH
Rachel Bailey, RHD/NIOSH
NIOSH [2023]. Health hazard evaluation report: evaluation of exposures to styrene during ultraviolet cured-in-place-pipe installation. By LeBouf RF, Burns DA. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH HHE Report No. 2018-0009-3334.
OSHA [1991]. Method 89: divinylbenzene, ethylvinylbenzene, styrene. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/methods/osha-89.pdf.
Keywords
Exposure Assessment
Gas and vapor detection