Determinação de alguns compostos tóxicos e avaliação da qualidade do ar no local de trabalho : indústria de tintas e laboratórios)

Abstract

The main pollutants from the paint industry were studied (toluene and xylenes); in the Robbialac paint factory and the toxic potentials in the laboratories (mercury), in 4 laboratories of the Department of Physics and 2 of the Department of Chemistry - Faculty of Sciences, University Eduardo Mondlane (UEM). The work consisted of visits and interviews to UEM companies and laboratories (preliminary work environment assessment), bibliographic research on the toxicology of toluene, xylenes and mercury and subsequent determination of air concentrations of these compounds in the workplace using the colorimetric tube method (direct reading) and the gas chromatography method - sample collection and subsequent laboratory analysis (indirect reading). Based on the results obtained, at the Robbialac factory there is air contamination by toluene and xylene solvents. In the processing and canning sections the contents are considered to be higher than the tolerance limit for short term exposure (TLV-STEL-150 ppm) and in the weighing section the contents are acceptable (less than TLV-STEL); the factory's quality control laboratory has acceptable levels for both toluene and xylenes. In the Departments of Physics and Chemistry - Faculty of Science - UEM, the 6 laboratories are contaminated by mercury vapors. With the exception of the nuclear physics laboratory, with a mercury content lower than TLV-0.05 mg/m3, the other laboratories are exposed to a concentration higher than TLV. Robbialac and UEM are advised to observe occupational health standards in order to reduce the risk to workers' health. (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)