Aerosol Measurements in the Workplace at a Colored Smoke Munitions Plant

Abstract The quinoline dye, 2-(2'-quinolyl)-1,3-indandione or solvent yellow 33 (SY), is used in many manufactured products including military smoke grenades. During the manufacturing process, SY can be released into the air, exposing workers by inhalation to the dye. Prior to conducting inhalation toxicity studies on the dye, a field sampling effort was completed at the United States Army's Pine Bluff Arsenal to measure the size distributions and aerosol concentrations of SY dye to which workers might be exposed during the fabrication of military smoke munitions. Aerosol samples were taken in the workplace during routine operation of the colored smoke grenade fabrication facility. During this sampling period, the M18 yellow smoke grenade was being produced. Filter samples were used to determine the concentration of airborne dye-containing material, and cascade impactors were used to determine the particle size distributions. Aerosol samples were prepared for SY analyses by reverse-phase, high-pressure li...