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- Importation and transportation
Measured exposure dataRecent air monitoring data (1998-2002) measured at two sites of a formaldehyde manufacturer were provided and are summarised in Table 15.1. The majority of the personal sample results (40 out of 41) were less than or equal to 0.2 ppm during 8 to 12 hours shifts. A result of 0.5 ppm (measured for about half an hour) was found during formaldehyde drum filling. The majority of 8h TWA static samples (13/16) and short-term (15 minutes) static samples (24/28) were less than or equal to 0.2 ppm. Four out of 16 peak static samples had readings above 0.5 ppm and up to 2 ppm. There were two high peak static readings (2.67 and 6.08 ppm) measured at a formaldehyde plant bund and a storage area. No information on the interpretation of these high readings is available. Recent overseas air monitoring data were not identified for formaldehyde manufacture. In the 1980s, the mean levels of formaldehyde in workroom air at formaldehyde manufacture plants ranged from 0.2 ppm to 0.7 ppm (IARC, 1995).
Information obtained from importers indicates that formalin and products containing formaldehyde are imported in a variety of packaging types and sizes depending on products. The imported products are transported mainly by road from the arrival port to warehouses. From there they are transported for resale to customers either by a normal transport company or a “Dangerous Goods” approved transport company depending on the label requirements. Some imported products are transported to customers directly. Some importers use the imported products to formulate end products on site or contract the formulation to toll manufacturers. In the case of storage, all importers reported that the imported products are stored in accordance with state and territory Dangerous Goods requirements. No information is available on the total number of workers handling formaldehyde products during importation and transportation. In the situation that the imported formaldehyde products are transferred unopened to the sites of use, the only potential for exposure to formaldehyde during transport and storage are accidental leakages and spills. Workers potentially exposed due to accidental release include dockworkers, road transport drivers, employees at the storage sites, and emergency workers. However, the likelihood of exposure is low. Due to off-gassing of formaldehyde resin products, such as from furniture and pressed wood panels, the levels of formaldehyde in transport containers can build up. Consequently, workers may be exposed to high levels of formaldehyde when they enter the containers (a confined space). An incident was reported when workers opened a truck container of trestle tables imported from overseas and immediately fell sick and vomited. Air monitoring of the container (using NIOSH Method 2016) was conducted for a number of substances and found only formaldehyde levels (3.1 mg/m3) exceeded the current occupational exposure standard (Personal communication, 2004).
1 >0.2-0.3 2 >0.3-0.5 28 FA drum filling point/ sample point/storage area 15 min. Interscan machine 18 ≤0.1 6 >0.1-0.2 2 >0.3-0.5 2 >0.5-2
2001-2002
FA, formaldehyde; AMCOSH, Advice Measurement and Control in Occupational Safety and Health (detection limit 0.06 ug). # The results are presented as the number of samples in a series of result bands. 150 Priority Existing Chemical Assessment Report No. 28
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