Phthalic Anhydride

Since the publication of documentations in 1992 and 1995 (“Phthalic anhydride”, Volumes 7 and 11, present series), additional test results for phthalic anhydride have been published; these are described in the following. Furthermore, this supplement takes into account an evaluation carried out by the Health and Safety Executive in Great Britain, published in 1996 (HSE 1996). Exposure levels of phthalic anhydride were measured in 3 factories producing alkyd resin. Arithmetic average values of 0.5–137.7 μg/m were determined for the exposures. Exposure concentrations of 5.5–1862.6 μg/m were measured for individual and also short-term activities (van Tongeren et al. 1995). Between 1960 and 1992 the exposure levels in the factories gradually decreased (van Tongeren et al. 1998). In a review the authors reported exposure levels of 0.4–1487 μg/m, in the wrapping department up to 4100 μg/m (HSE 1996). In 6 factories producing PVC, very low concentrations of < 0.02–5 μg/m of phthalic anhydride were identified (Vainiotalo and Pfäffli 1990).