Author

Joseph M. Fox

Date of Award

3-2000

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Peter T. LaPuma, PhD

Abstract

Air Force aircraft-painting operations create clouds of paint overspray that contain strontium chromate, a confirmed carcinogen, which poses an exposure hazard to painters. It is often assumed that all particles in paint overspray have the same chemical composition as the original paint mixture, however differences in composition may occur in various particle sizes. Because particle size affects where in the respiratory system a particle deposits, actual exposures to a specific chemical may vary. Paint particles greater than 2.5 µm are deposited in the upper respiratory system and will be eliminated by physiological removal mechanisms. Particles less than 2.5 µm will deposit in the pulmonary region of the lungs where removal processes are slower. Currently it is assumed for the purposes of industrial hygiene evaluations that there is an equal distribution of chromate across all paint particle sizes.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GEE-ENV-00M-06

DTIC Accession Number

ADA376614

Comments

The author's vita page is omitted.

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