Drivers for temporal trends in solvent inhalation exposures

This project aimed to analyze personal exposure data contained within the Oxygenated Solvents Producers Association / Hydrocarbon Solvents Producers Association database to quantify any temporal trends in exposure and retrospectively investigate the likely drivers for these trends. Personal exposure data were analysed using regression methods, with temporal trends presented as average annual percentage change in concentration. Concentration levels were also compared with Derived No Effect Levels (DNELs). Based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) approach, a questionnaire survey was developed to identify behavioural drivers perceived to have impacted on solvent exposure in the industry. Analysis of the personal exposure data identified a small decreasing trend in concentration over time (2.4% per year) when all records are considered. This decrease is steeper in samples from the EU and there is no significant trend over time in samples from North America or the rest of the World. A similar decreasing temporal trend is seen for hydrocarbon solvents. In contrast, results for oxygenated solvents show evidence of an increase over time overall and in the EU and North America. However, it should be noted that the increasing trend in the EU was highly influenced by six very low concentrations in 1985. If these data points are excluded from the analysis, there is no evidence of a trend in OS concentrations over time in this area. A comparison of the data with their DNEL showed very high percentages of average values being below the relevant value. The results of the TPB questionnaire suggest that changing attitudes to health and safety is key to change behaviour intention, thus behaviour (and ultimately exposure). The influence of stakeholders, including regulators, employers and the general public, was also found to be significant. It is likely that one of the main drivers for the reported trends is changes in the global solvent market, which themselves are influenced by drivers such as the economy, legislation, labour force etc. Future intervention campaigns aimed at reducing solvent exposures should allow for a more pro-active tailored approach to help ensure that the focus is on maintaining the positive attitudes to health and safety identified within the work.