Addressing airborne pollutant exposure at the source: an example of coal tar pitch volatiles (CTPV)

Abstract

Personal exposure concentrations to coal tar pitch volatiles (CTPV) were a concern in a workplace and the cause of the exposure was thought to be a particular raw material; as per the conventional belief. All the raw materials were analysed and investigated. Potential substitutions of certain raw materials were also evaluated. It was found that the biggest contribution to the exposure was not the raw material in question. The exposure concentrations were a result of the combination of the type of raw material, their respective concentrations and the individual composition of each raw material that was used in the process. Based on the outcomes of this investigation, more effective control measures can be implemented and changes can be made to the process to reduce employee exposure to CTPV.