Solve the problem

Using the following formula, solve the problem below, and show your work.

TWA = CaTa + CbTb + … + CnTn

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TWA	=	Time-Weighted Average
Ca	=	Concentration of contaminant during the sampling period “a“
Ta	=	Time of sampling period “a“
Cb	=	Concentration of contaminant during the sampling period “b”
Tb	=	Time of sampling period “b“
Cn	=	Concentration of contaminant during the sampling period “n“, where “n” is the last of a series of contaminants
Tn	=	Time of sampling period “n“

 

Note: All concentrations are in parts contaminant per million parts of air or milligrams of contaminant per cubic meter of air.

Air Sampling Problem: You are an industrial hygienist that is conducting personal sampling on a worker who is overseeing a production process involving use of toluene (Note: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established a Permissible Exposure Limit of 200 parts per million (ppm)). You are able to measure the following exposures:

500 ppm for 1 hour

100 ppm for 4 hours

225 ppm for 3 hours

What is the calculated TWA? What would you tell plant management in terms of exposure to toluene and compliance with the PEL?