Assessment of airborne and dermal exposure to 2-ethoxyethyl acetate in an occupational environment.

Because of its chemical-physical properties, 2-ethoxyethyl acetate (EEAc) can penetrate through the skin. However, no actual occupational environmental studies or empirical dermal exposure measurements have been performed. Twenty workers from a commercial label silk screening shop were recruited and they completed a questionnaire of demographic information. Environmental monitoring of EEAc exposure via respiratory and dermal routes was performed for five consecutive working days. Airborne EEAc concentration was over the permissible exposure limit of 5 ppm in 90% of the participants. The dermal EEAc concentration was highest on the palms. The EEAc concentration correlated with skin exposure level (P < 0.001). The dermal EEAc concentrations in individuals who did not wear gloves were higher than in those who wore gloves. EEAc on the skin is strongly associated with airborne EEAc. Wearing impermeable gloves during high-risk tasks (cleaning process) can reduce EEAc dermal exposure on the palms.