我國含鹵素碳氫化合物容許暴露標準探討

An Investigation of Permissible Exposure Limits for Halogenated Hydrocarbons in Taiwan

我國勞動部針對化學性危害因子，制定「勞工作業場所容許暴露標準」，其中含鹵素碳氫化合物（Halogenated Hydrocarbon）因具高溶解力與化學穩定性，常作為溶劑，應用於製藥、電子製程等領域。然而，根據毒理學、流行病學之研究結果，已證實職業暴露於鹵化甲烷、乙烷、乙烯等含鹵溶劑，可能造成中樞神經、生殖、肝腎毒性，或引發癌症。近年國際癌症研究中心（International Agency for Research on Cancer, IARC）亦重新評估部分含鹵化合物之致癌性。因此探討我國現行「勞工作業場所容許暴露標準」規範中含鹵素碳氫化合物之容許暴露標準（Permissible Exposure Limits, PELs）適切性。本研究蒐集我國「勞工作業場所容許暴露標準」中規範56種含鹵素碳氫化合物之運作資料、流行病學、毒理學等相關文獻，建立含鹵素碳氫化合物資料庫。比較我國與其他國家容許暴露標準濃度之差異性，以濃度倍率量化其差異性大小。除上述我國已規範56種物質外，亦探討我國尚未訂定PELs，而其他國家或組織已訂定標準之物質，是否有增訂之迫切性。本研究之評估方法以三維風險矩陣（Three Dimensions Risk Matrix）為基礎，考慮3種風險指標（致癌性、運作量及PELs濃度倍率），依風險值劃分其增修急迫度。探討並提出PELs適切性建議。根據評估結果，建議未來可考慮調整4種化合物（氯苯、1,2-二氯乙烷、三氯乙烯及四氯乙烯）之PELs，而4種含鹵素碳氫化合物（四氯化碳、對-二氯苯、氯乙烷、二溴乙烷）經評估雖無調整之急迫性。建議應持續關注、收集國內作業環境監測及相關文獻資料，作為未來探討之依據。

In Taiwan, the Ministry of Labor has set Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for chemical hazards, including halogenated hydrocarbons. Due to their solubility and stability, these compounds are used as solvents in industries like pharmaceuticals and electronics. However, research has shown that occupational exposure to halogenated hydrocarbons (e.g., halogenated methane, halogenated ethane, and halogenated ethylene) can cause toxic effects on the nervous, reproductive, liver, kidney systems and carcinogenic. Recently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) re-evaluate the carcinogenicity of certain halogenated hydrocarbons. Therefore, we explore the appropriateness of PELs for halogenated hydrocarbons in Taiwan’s ''Standards of Permissible Exposure Limits in the workplace''.
In this study, we analyzed data on 56 halogenated hydrocarbons, including operational, epidemiological, toxicological information, and compared Taiwan's PELs with other countries, quantifying concentration differences. In addition to the 56 substances that have been regulated in our country. It also explores whether there is an urgent need to add substances not regulated in our country, for which other countries or organizations have already established standards. The assessment method of this study is based on the Three Dimensions Risk Matrix, which considers three risk indicators (carcinogenicity, operating volume, and PELs concentration ratio) and divides the urgency of the revision according to the risk value. Subsequently, the database and expert opinions were integrated to explore and propose appropriateness recommendations for PELs. Results suggest that PELs for 4 chemicals (chlorobenzene, 1,2-dichloroethane, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene) may need adjustment. However, after evaluation, it was found that there was no urgency in adjusting the four halogenated hydrocarbons (Carbon tetrachloride, p-Dichlorobenzene, Ethyl chloride and Ethylene dibromide). It is suggested that we should continue to pay attention to and collect domestic environmental monitoring and related literature data as a basis for future research.