Evaluation the exposure extent of labors in printing industries with emitted pollutants in indoor environment

Emitted pollutants in indoor environment of printing industries are the most serious risks to labor’s health according to WHO. The health effects of these pollutants range from acute diseases like eye irritation to chronic effects such as cancer and DNA damage.

To study air pollution in indoor environment of the printing industry, using EPA methodology and ranked set sampling, samples were collected and then analysed through gas chromatography.

Based on the results, despite the concentration profile at the sampling sites, the total concentration of very volatile and volatile organic compounds at the nearest point to the dye tank, the location of the operator at a distance of one and two meters from the heliogravure machine, and the general working space were 20.83%, 5.41%, 1.85% and 1.46%, respectively . About 52% of the observed putants were ink organic solvents, 38% were sulfur compounds and 52% were nitrogen compounds. About 24% of pollutants have a complex structure of 12 carbons or more. The concentrations of pollutants observed not only exceed OSHA and NIOSH standards but also very high compared to similar international research; so that they are in the range of danger code announcement and have worrying health effects on employees.

The results indicate the need for urgent intervention to reduce pollution in the printing industry. The preferred method for managing indoor air quality is control or replace the source of pollution, proper air conditioning equipment use, and simultaneous use of filters and air conditioning system to reduce emissions.