Workplace and Environmental Air Contaminant Concentrations Measured by Open Path Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy: A Statistical Process Control Technique to Detect Changes from Normal Operating Conditions

Details

• Personal Author:
  Herrin G ; Levine SP ; Malachowski MS ; Spear RC ; Yi Z ; Yost M
• Description:
  The ability of a statistical processing control technique designed to be used with open path/Fourier Transform infrared (OP/FTIR) spectroscopy to detect deviations from normal operating conditions during industrial processes was evaluated. A Nicolet OP/FTIR spectrometer interfaced to a personal computer was tested under laboratory conditions by placing it in an experimental chamber where it was exposed to fluctuating concentrations of acetone (67641) vapor for 15 minutes (min). High or low flow rates with or without fans were used to simulate various industrial ventilation systems. A second source of acetone was then used to simulate a leak for another 15min, representing a deviation from normal operating conditions. Acetone concentrations were measured in real time by the OP/FTIR spectrometer. Consecutive measurements of acetone concentration were plotted against time to create sets of time series data. The data were fitted to appropriate dynamic models to remove any effects of sequential measurements. The corrected time series data were analyzed by Shewhart and exponentially weighted moving area (EWMA) control charts to identify any deviations from normal operating conditions. A similar field experiment was performed in which acrylonitrile (107131), 1,3-butadiene (106990), and styrene (100425) emissions from the production area of a polymerization facility were monitored. The Shewhart control chart was able to detect the simulated acetone leak in the laboratory simulation under a high flow/no fan condition. The EWMA control chart detected the simulated leak under a low flow/with fan condition. Field monitoring and analysis with both the Shewhart and EWMA control charts showed that at times the concentrations of styrene and 1,3-butadiene were higher than normal. The acrylonitrile concentrations remained within the normal range. The authors conclude that OP/FTIR spectrometry when combined with statistical process control techniques can be used for applications such as signaling of an alarm or warning, increasing levels of worker respiratory protection, or evacuation of a community when toxic gas or vapor concentrations are determined to be out of control. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Air Pollutants, Occupational Laboratories Manufacturing And Industrial Facilities Occupational Health Safety Spectrum Analysis Workplace
• Keywords:
  Analytical-instruments Analytical-methods Grants-other Industrial-hygiene Industrial-processes Infrared-spectroscopy Laboratory-testing Mathematical-models NIOSH-Grant NIOSH-Publication Organic-vapors Safety-research Simulation-methods Spectrographic-analysis Statistical-analysis Workplace-monitoring

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• ISSN:
  1073-161X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Maine ; Michigan ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  44
• Issue:
  5
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00241843
• Citation:
  Air Waste 1994 May; 44(5):673-682
• Contact Point Address:
  Environmental & Indust Health University of Michigan 1420 Washington Heights Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029
• CAS Registry Number:
  1,3-Butadiene (CAS RN 106-99-0) ; Acetone (CAS RN 67-64-1) ; Acrylonitrile (CAS RN 107-13-1) ; Styrene (CAS RN 100-42-5)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1994
• NORA Priority Area:
  Grants Other
• Performing Organization:
  University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19890901
• Source Full Name:
  Air and Waste
• End Date:
  19990929
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:fbc8beb07194b52b598d26adb2cab635af96b52eddeb5141d49ff40ae046654eda1154fe92c5d0d39b9504fb4a37d657de48fef9458495adfbe059f1b984c9dd
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/198120/cdc_198120_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.82 MB ]