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Meesters JAJ, Nijkamp MM, Schuur AG, et al. Cleaning Products Fact Sheet: Default parameters for estimating consumer exposure: Updated version 2018 [Internet]. Bilthoven (NL): National Institute for Public Health and the Environment; 2018.
Cleaning Products Fact Sheet: Default parameters for estimating consumer exposure: Updated version 2018 [Internet].
Show detailsThe floor, carpet and furniture products described in this Fact Sheet combine cleaning, polishing and protecting aspects where applicable. Depending on their intended function, the products contain either more cleaning or more protecting compounds. Default values are given for floor cleaners and polishers (Section 11.1), carpet cleaners (Section 11.2) and furniture and leather cleaning products (Section 11.3).
In practice, consumers can also choose from additional cleaning products to suit their specific floor surface, e.g. stone, parquet, laminate and wood. These products will not be covered in detail, but the scenarios described in this chapter can be used to estimate the exposure to all these types of products.
11.1. Floor products
Floor products can be divided into floor cleaners, floor polishes, combined cleaners and polishers, sealing products and stripping products. For floor sealing and stripping products only general information is given (Table 11.1).
Combined cleaning and polishing products (two-in-one products) remove dirt and grease and, once dried, give a lasting shine to floors and leave a thin layer of wax to protect against new stains (www.cleanright.eu; EPHECT, 2012).
Table 11.1:
General composition of floor cleaning and protecting products
| Floor product ingredients | Cleaner liquidA % (w/w) | PolisherB % (w/w) | Combined productA,B % (w/w) | SealerA % (w/w) | Stripper AA,C % (w/w) | Stripper BA,C % (w/w) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surfactants | 0–5 | |||||
| Anionic | 5–15 | 1–10 | 0–15 | |||
| Soap | 1–30 | 1–5 | 0–5 | |||
| Non-ionic | 5–15 | 1–10 | 0–5 | |||
| Builders | <5 | 3–8 | ||||
| NTA, phosphates, | 0–2 | |||||
| Phosphonates | 0–0.5 | |||||
| Citric acid | 1–10 | |||||
| Alkalis
Sodium (bi)carbonate | 0–10 | 3–10 | ||||
| Solvents | 0–15 | |||||
| Alcohols | 5–25 | |||||
| Glycols/glycolethers | 0–5 | 1–5 | 0–5 | 0–15 | 0–20 | |
| 2-butoxyethanol | 10–50 | |||||
| Nonoxynol | 3–15 | 2–5 | ||||
| Monoethanolamine | 10–30 | |||||
| Hydrotropes Cumeensulphonate | 0–0.5 | 0–5 | ||||
| Waxes | 1–5 | 1–10 | 0–5 | |||
| Resins and polyacrylates | 10–25 | 1–10 | 10–80 | |||
| Plasticizers | 1–10 | 0–5 | 0–5 | |||
| Additives | ||||||
| Preservatives | <1 | <1 | <0.5 | <1 | <1 | |
| Colorants | 0–0.1 | |||||
| Fragrances | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | <1 | |
| Water | >50 | 80 | 50–70 | 70–85 | 60–80 |
A: Composition adopted from Prud’homme de Lodder et al. (2006a)
C: Household Product Database (NLM, 2017)
Among those who use floor cleaners, almost two-thirds (60%) use the product on a weekly basis (once or more a week), and nearly a quarter (23%) on a monthly basis. Very few respondents use floor cleaners daily (8%) (EPHECT, 2012). With respect to the most used application types, 91% of the consumers prefer floor cleaners in liquid form; only 15% prefer sprays and even fewer, wipes and other types. Analysis of the EPHECT study resulted in 75th percentiles of use frequencies of liquid (161 per year), foams (74 per year), gels (73 per year), sprays (73 per year), wipes (66 per year), creams (47 per year), powders (47 per year) and tablets (30 per year). Floor cleaners are used on floors in the kitchen (83%), bathroom (75%), living room (67%), hallway (62%), toilet (57%), bedroom (51%) and to a lesser extent in storage rooms (22%) or other rooms in the house (16%).
11.1.1. Floor cleaning liquid
Scenarios for consumer exposure
The cleaning task is to clean the largest floor in the house, which is the living room, with an area of 22 m2. First, the consumer opens the bottle containing floor cleaning liquid and pours it into a bucket containing 5 l water. When the bottle is opened and the liquid agent is poured into the bucket, volatiles evaporate from the product into the personal breathing zone of the consumer, resulting in exposure through the inhalation route, and dermal exposure is anticipated from loading the liquid through spilled droplets that end up on the back of the hand. Then the diluted product is applied to the floor surface with a mop. During application, dermal exposure to the hands and forearms is anticipated from dipping the mop into the bucket containing the diluted product. Inhalation exposure is anticipated at this moment as well, since volatile substances evaporate from the treated surface. Afterwards, the consumer allows the treated surface to air-dry and remains in the living room. Secondary exposure can be expected for children crawling on the treated floor.
Frequency
The previous Cleaning Products Fact Sheet (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a) prescribes a default of 104 times per year. According to AISE (2014), surface cleaners are used 1 to 7 times per week with a typical frequency of 2 times per week (104 per year). The 75th percentile of 320 per year as reported by Weegels (1997) also includes cleaning the bathroom and other cleaning tasks. Analysis of the EPHECT study (2012) results in a 75th percentile use frequency for liquid of 161 times per year (Annex II). A 75th percentile of ‘twice per week’ is derived from the summary data of Garcia-Hidalgo et al. (2017) and the 75th percentile for the duration of cleaning the floor is estimated to be 11–30 min. The frequency (in min/day) for this task, however, is not included in their data. Consequently, it is not possible to verify whether task duration (min) and frequency (per day) are consistently collected. Therefore, the EPHECT study is chosen here as the data source for deriving a new default, because the data are recent, with a large sample size (n=1333), and were collected specifically to measure the task of cleaning floors. The new default is thus set at 161 times per year with a Q-factor of 4.
11.1.1.1. Mixing and loading
The expected exposure from loading floor cleaning liquid into a bucket is similar to that described in the generic scenario for loading liquids (4.1.2). Hence, to estimate exposure during this mixing and loading event the inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–constant release area model and the dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading model are used. Defaults for the parameters: product amount (inhalation), exposure duration, application duration, room volume, ventilation rate, release area, product amount (dermal) and exposed area are described in the generic scenario (4.1.2).
Molecular weight matrix
The fraction of water in the undiluted liquid cleaning product is estimated at 0.5 (Table 11.1). Following the conservative approach, the default molecular weight matrix is calculated as the molecular weight of water (18 g/mol) divided by the fraction of water in the product (0.5), which yields 36 g/mol. The Q-factor is 2, because the supporting quantitative data are limited.
Table 11.2:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to floor cleaner liquid during mixing and loading
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 161 per year | 4 | Section 11.1.1 |
| Inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–constant release area | |||
| Exposure duration | 0.75 min | 3 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Product amount | 500 g | 2 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Room volume | 1 m3 | 1 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Ventilation rate | 0.5 per hour | 1 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Release area | 20 cm2 | 2 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Emission duration | 0.3 min | 3 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Application temperature | 20 °C | 4 | Room temperature |
| Mass transfer coefficient | 10 m/h | 2 | Section 4.2.2 |
| Molecular weight matrix | 36 g/mol | 2 | See above |
| Dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading | |||
| Exposed area | 225 cm2 | 3 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Product amount | 0.01 g | 3 | Section 4.1.2 |
11.1.1.2. Application: cleaning
The scenario of cleaning a floor is in accordance with the generic scenario for surface treatment (4.2.2). Hence, to estimate the expected exposure the inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation– increasing release model and the dermal–direct product contact– instant application loading model are used. Default parameter values for exposed area and product amount (dermal) are described in the generic scenario for application of diluted product (4.2.3).
Application duration
Application duration is interpreted here as the duration of the cleaning task. The previous Cleaning Products Fact Sheet (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a) prescribes a default of 30 min. According to AISE (2014), the cleaning task takes 10 to 20 min. Weegels (1997) found an average duration of all-purpose cleaning of 20 min. Andra et al. (2015) present a median of 16 min for mopping floor, whereas Kalyvas et al. (2014) present a 75th percentile of 15 min. A new default value is set at 20 min, because this duration most closely agrees with the different data sources. The Q-factor is 4, because the data are recent, quantitative and specifically collected to measure the duration of the task of cleaning floors.
Exposure duration
It is assumed that the consumer will stay in the room after the cleaning the task. Therefore, the default exposure duration is set to 240 min (4 hours). The Q-factor is set to 1, because the time the consumer remains in the room is based on expert judgement.
Amount of solution used
Amount of solution used is defined as the sum of the solvent and product amount subject to inhalation. The solvent amount subject to inhalation is considered to be the amount of water applied to the floor. Based on a small experiment, it was determined that 40 ml water wets 1 m2 of surface (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a). The surface area of the floor is 22 m2, so that 880 ml water is required to clean it. Therefore, the solvent amount is 880 g. The product amount refers to the amount of floor cleaner diluted in the water that is applied on the floor. The concentration of floor cleaner in the water is 16.4 g/l (see below), so that the amount of floor cleaner applied to the surface of the floor is 14 g. The amount of solution used is thus calculated to be 880 g + 14 g ≈ 900 g. The Q-factor is set to 2, because the calculation is not entirely based on expert judgement but lacks support by quantitative data.
Dilution (times)
The dilution in number of times (4.2.3) is calculated on the basis of the amount of floor cleaning liquid in the 5 l volume of water in which it is diluted. According to the survey by AISE (2014), the amount of floor cleaning liquid that is loaded can range between 30 and 110 g. Analysis of the EPHECT data (2012) shows a 75th percentile of 82 g. Therefore, the amount of solution used in the bucket is 82 g + 5000 g = 5082 g and the concentration of product in the solution is 82 g / 5 l = 16.4 g/l. The dilution in number of times is calculated by dividing the amount of solution used by the product amount, so that 5082 g / 82 g = 62 times. The Q-factor is set to 3, because the assumption of 5 l of water in the bucket compromises the quality of the EPHECT data.
Release area
The release area in the scenario is a living room floor, which is according with the General Fact Sheet (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014), i.e. 22 m2. The Q-factor is set to 4 in accordance with General Fact Sheet (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014).
Product amount – dermal
The product amount that is subject to dermal exposure is calculated from the volume of water that is in contact with the skin and the concentration of the floor cleaning product in the water. According to the generic scenario for the application of diluted products, the volume of water left on the skin after dipping the hands and forearms in the water is 22 ml (4.2.3). The concentration in the water is calculated as 16.4 g/l (see above). Hence, the product amount subject to dermal exposure is 16.4 g/l x 22 ml = 0.36 g.
Table 11.3:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to floor cleaner liquid during application
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 161 per year | 4 | Section 11.1 |
| Inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–increasing release | |||
| Exposure duration | 240 min | 1 | See above |
| Amount of solution used | 900 g | 2 | See above |
| Dilution (times) | 62 | 2 | See above |
| Room volume | 58 m3 | 4 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Ventilation rate | 0.5 per hour | 3 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Release area | 22 m2 | 4 | Living room floor (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Application duration | 20 min | 4 | AISE, 2014; Andra et al., 2015; Kalyvas et al., 2014; Weegels, 1997 |
| Application temperature | 20 °C | 4 | Room temperature |
| Mass transfer coefficient | 10 m/h | 2 | Section 4.2.2 |
| Molecular weight matrix | 18 g/mol | 4 | Matrix is water |
| Dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading | |||
| Exposed area | 2200 cm2 | 3 | Section 4.2.3 |
| Product amount | 0.36 g | 2 | See above |
11.1.1.3. Post-application: rubbing off
Post-application exposure to liquid floor cleaners is expected, since the treated floor is accessible to small children. This form of secondary exposure is estimated using the dermal–direct product contact– rubbing off model according to the generic scenario for rubbing off (4.3.1). The oral–direct product contact–direct oral intake model is used to calculate oral exposure from hand-to-mouth behaviour (4.3.2).
Contacted surface
The contacted surface (Sarea) is the area of the treated surface that can be rubbed, which is in this scenario the floor of a living room 22 m2 (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014). The default is thus set to 22 m2 and the Q-factor is set to 4 in accordance with the General Fact Sheet (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014).
Dislodgeable amount
As described in the generic scenario (4.3.1), the dislodgeable amount (Fdislodge) is calculated by multiplying a fraction of 0.3 by the used product amount (g) per m2 of floor, which is in this scenario equal to 0.2 g/m2 (0.3 x 14.4 g / 22 m2, see 11.1.1). The Q-factor is set to 2, because the supporting data are limited.
Contact time
It is assumed that a child of 12 months crawls over a cleaned floor for 1 hour a day. The default contact time (t) is therefore set at 60 min with a Q-factor of 1 as it is derived from expert judgement (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a).
Ingested amount
The ingested amount via hand-to-mouth contact can be calculated by taking 10% of the total external dose (4.3.2).
Table 11.4:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to floor cleaning liquid by rubbing off
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 161 per year | 4 | Section 8.1 |
| Body weight | 8.0 kg | 4 | Section 4.4 |
| Dermal–direct product contact–rubbing off loading model | |||
| Contacted surface | 22 m2 | 3 | Scenario |
| Dislodgeable amount | 0.2 g/m2 | 2 | See above |
| Transfer coefficient | 0.2 m2/hr | 3 | Section 4.3.1 |
| Contact time | 60 min | 2 | Prud’homme de Lodder al., 2006a |
| Exposed Area | 0.3 m2 | 4 | Section 4.3.1 |
| Oral–direct product contact–direct oral intake model | |||
| Ingested amount | 10% of total external dose | 1 | Section 4.3.2 |
11.1.2. Floor stripping and sealing products
Floor stripping and sealing products are not considered to be traditional cleaning products by definition, in that they do not remove dirt and sanitize surfaces. However, their application is comparable to traditional cleaning products and they are developed to help keep in-house surfaces clean. Floor sealers are applied before using a new floor. They seal floors such as linoleum, to prevent dirt, water and grease from getting into the pores of the floor easily. This effect can be strengthened by adding a floor polish that comprises a polymeric or wax layer. Old protective layers can be removed with floor-strippers, which are often strong alkalines. The alkaline concentration used depends on the age of the layer and on the difficulty of removing that layer. Floor stripping and sealing products are discussed below as a single group of products, because of their complementary actions in preventing the floor from becoming contaminated with dirt and their commonalities in the way they are applied to the floor.
Scenarios for consumer exposure
The consumer first applies the stripping product to the floor of a living room with an area of 22 m2. Floor stripping products require dilution with water before they are applied. First, the consumer opens the bottle containing the liquid product and pours it into a bucket containing 5 l water. During the opening of the bottle and the pouring of the liquid agent into the bucket, volatiles evaporate from the bottle into the personal breathing zone of the consumer, while dermal exposure is anticipated from spills (droplets) that end up on the back of the hand. The diluted product is then applied to the floor surface with a mop. During this application dermal exposure to the hands and forearms is anticipated from demounting the mop from the stick, dipping the mop into the bucket containing the diluted product and then mounting the mop back to the stick. Inhalation exposure is anticipated at this moment as well, since volatile substances evaporate from the treated surface. Afterwards, the consumer leaves the treated surface to air-dry before treating it with the floor sealer. The floor sealer is a ready-to-use product that is used undiluted. Exposure from mixing and loading is thus not considered. Instead, the floor sealer is directly applied to the floor with a squeeze bottle and spread over the floor with a mop. Dermal exposure may occur at this moment if the consumer accidentally touches the treated surface. Inhalation exposure to volatile substances evaporating from the treated surface is anticipated as well. It is assumed that the consumer leaves the room directly after the task is finished.
Frequency
The previous Cleaning Products Fact Sheet (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a) prescribes a default by expert judgement of once per 10 years for floor strippers and once a year for sealers. No new data have become available since. However, floor stripping and sealing products are assumed here to be used complementarily. Following a worst-case approach, the default frequency is therefore 1 per year for both products. The Q-factor remains 1, because it depends on expert judgement only.
11.1.2.1. Mixing and loading
Loading liquid floor stripping products into a bucket is in accordance with the generic scenario for loading liquids (4.1.2). Hence, to estimate exposure during mixing and loading, the inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–constant release area model and the dermal– direct product contact–instant application loading model are used. Defaults for the parameters: product amount (inhalation), exposure duration, application duration, room volume, release area, product amount (dermal) and exposed area are described in the generic scenario (4.1.2).
Molecular weight matrix
The fraction of water in the floor stripping product is estimated at 0.6 (Table 11.1). Following the conservative approach, the default molecular weight matrix is calculated as the molecular weight of water (18 g/mol) divided by the fraction of water in the product (0.6), which yields 30 g/mol. The Q-factor is 2, because the supporting quantitative data are limited.
Table 11.5:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to floor stripper liquid during mixing and loading
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 1 per year | 1 | See above |
| Inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–constant release area | |||
| Exposure duration | 0.75 min | 3 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Product amount | 500 g | 2 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Room volume | 1 m3 | 1 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Ventilation rate | 0.5 per hour | 1 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Release area | 20 cm2 | 2 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Emission duration | 0.3 min | 3 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Application temperature | 20 °C | 4 | Room temperature |
| Mass transfer coefficient | 10 m/h | 2 | Section 4.2.2 |
| Molecular weight matrix | 30 g/mol | 2 | See above |
| Dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading | |||
| Exposed area | 225 cm2 | 3 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Product amount | 0.01 g | 3 | Section 4.1.2 |
11.1.2.2. Application: floor stripping
The scenario of treating a floor with stripping product is in accordance with the generic scenario for surface treatment (4.2.2). Hence, to estimate expected exposure, the inhalation–exposure to vapour– evaporation–increasing release model and the dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading model are used.
Default parameter values for exposed area and product amount (dermal) are described in the generic scenario for application of diluted product (4.2.3).
Application duration
Application duration is interpreted here as the time required to apply the floor stripping product to the floor. It is assumed that such an activity is similar to applying liquid polish products to a floor. The default application duration is thus 90 min (Section 11.1.3). The Q-factor is 2, because the supporting data are not recent and were not collected specifically in relation to treating a floor with stripping products.
Amount of solution used
Amount of solution used is defined as the sum of the solvent and product amount subject to inhalation. The solvent amount subject to inhalation is considered to be the amount of water applied to the floor. On the basis of a small experiment, it was determined that 40 ml water wets 1 m2 of surface (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a). The surface area of the floor is 22 m2, so that 880 ml water is required to clean it. Therefore, the solvent amount is 880 g. The product amount refers to the amount of floor stripping liquid diluted in the water that is applied to the floor. The concentration of floor stripper in the water is 20 g/l (see below), so that the amount of floor stripper applied to the surface of the floor is 18 g. The amount of solution used is thus calculated to be 880 g + 18 g ≈ 900 g. The Q-factor is set to 2, because the calculation is not entirely based on expert judgement but lacks support by quantitative data.
Dilution (times)
Product label information advises a dilution of 100–200 g per 10 l water (Palmann, 2016). From a worst-case perspective, it is assumed that the consumer uses 200g per 10 l (20 g/l). Therefore, the dilution in number of times is calculated as (200 g + 10,000g) / 200 g = 51. The Q-factor is 2, because the supporting data are limited.
Product amount – dermal
The product amount that is subject to dermal exposure is calculated from the volume of water that is in contact with the skin and the concentration of the floor stripping product in the water. According to the generic scenario for the application of diluted products, the volume of water left on the skin after dipping the hands and forearms in the water is 22 ml (4.2.3). The concentration in the water is calculated as 20 g/l (see above). Hence, the default product amount subject to dermal exposure is 20 g/l x 22 ml = 0.44 g. The Q-factor is 2, because of the limited data on product use that are incorporated in this calculation.
Table 11.6:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to floor stripping liquid during application
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 1 per year | 1 | Section 11.1.2.1 |
| Inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–increasing release area | |||
| Exposure duration | 90 min | 1 | Application duration |
| Amount of solution used | 900 g | 2 | See above |
| Dilution (times) | 51 | 2 | See above |
| Room volume | 58 m3 | 4 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Ventilation rate | 0.5 per hour | 3 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Release area | 22 m2 | 4 | Living room floor (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Application duration | 90 min | 2 | Section 11.1.3.1.1 |
| Application temperature | 20 °C | 4 | Room temperature |
| Mass transfer coefficient Molecular weight matrix | 10 m/h 18 g/mol | 2 4 | Section 4.2.2 Matrix is water after dilution |
| Dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading | |||
| Exposed area Product amount | 2200 cm2 0.44 g | 3 2 | Section 4.2.3 See above |
11.1.2.3. Application: floor sealing
The scenario for inhalation exposure from treating a floor with sealing products is in accordance with the generic scenario for surface treatment (4.2.2). Hence, to estimate the expected inhalation exposure, the inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–increasing release area model is used. The scenario for dermal exposure, however, is not in accordance with the generic scenario, because the product is used in undiluted form and is touched accidentally. Here, the dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading model is used.
Application duration
Application duration is interpreted here as the time required to apply the floor sealing product to the floor. It is assumed that such an activity is similar to applying liquid polish products to a floor. The default application duration is thus 90 min (Section 11.1.3). The Q-factor is 2, because the supporting data are not recent and were not collected specifically in relation to treating a floor with stripping products.
Product amount – inhalation
The product amount that is subject to inhalation is interpreted as the amount of floor sealing product that is applied to the floor. Product information indicates that the amount required is about 0.04–0.1 l per m2 (Tile & Floor Care, 2016) depending on the porosity of the floor. Floor sealing products are either polyacrylate or water based (Table 11.1). The density of polyacrylate (1220 g/l) is higher than that of water (1000 g/l), so that the maximum amount required to seal a floor of 22 m2 with polyacrylate-based sealer is calculated as 1220 g/l x 0.1 l/m2 x 22 m2 = 2684 g and for water-based sealer 2200 g. The default product is set to 2.7 kg and 2.2 kg for polyacrylate- and water-based floor sealing products, respectively. The Q-factor is 2, because the supporting data are limited.
Molecular weight matrix
The fraction of water in polyacrylate floor sealing product is estimated at 0.2 (Table 11.1). The molecular weight of polyacrylate, however, is variable. The molecular weight matrix is thus calculated from its weight fraction of water. Following the conservative approach, the default molecular weight matrix is calculated as the molecular weight of water (18 g/mol) divided by the fraction of water in the product (0.2), which yields 90 g/mol. For water-based floor sealing products the molecular weight matrix is calculated as 18 g/mol divided by 0.8 (Table 11.1), which yields 22 g/mol. The Q-factor is set to 2, because the supporting data are limited.
Product amount – dermal
The previous Cleaning Products Fact Sheet (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a) prescribes a calculation for dermal exposure to undiluted products applied in surface treatment. It was assumed that 1% of the total amount that is applied ends up on the palms of the consumer. However, assuming a surface area equivalent to two palms, the product amount would be a clear overestimation for this specific scenario. Instead it is assumed that the consumer accidentally touches the treated floor with one palm (225 cm2). In order to be conservative, it is assumed that the consumer is dermally exposed to the entire amount of product that is in the interface between the surface of the floor and that of the palm. Hence, the amount of product per m2 applied to the floor is equal to the amount per m2 on the palm of the hand of the consumer. For polyacrylate-based sealer the default product amount subject to dermal exposure is thus calculated as 225 cm2 x 0.1 l/m2 x 1220 g/l ≈ 3 g and for water-based sealer the amount is calculated to be 2 g. The Q-factor is set to 1, because of the assumption that the product amount per m2 on the treated surface is equal to the amount per m2 on the exposed palm.
Table 11.7:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to floor sealing liquid during application
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 1 per year | 1 | Section 11.1.2.1 |
| Inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–increasing release area | |||
| Exposure duration | 90 min | 2 | Scenario |
| Product amount | |||
| 2.7 kg | 2 | See above |
| 2.2 kg | 2 | See above |
| Room volume | 58 m3 | 4 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Ventilation rate | 0.5 per hour | 3 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Release area | 22 m2 | 4 | Living room floor(Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Application duration | 90 min | 2 | Section 11.1.3 |
| Application temperature | 20 °C | 4 | Room temperature |
| Mass transfer coefficient | 10 m/h | 2 | Section 4.2.2 |
| Molecular weight matrix | |||
| 90 g/mol | 2 | See above |
| 22 g/mol | 2 | See above |
| Dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading | |||
| Exposed area Product amount Polyacrylate-based sealer Water-based sealer | 225 cm2 3 g 2 g | 3 1 1 | One palm (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) See above See above |
11.1.3. Floor polishes
Floor polish is used to protect the floor. A durable wax coating is applied to keep the floor in a good state. Less cleaning is required and it can be performed more easily. The coating is applied in an undiluted form by waxing the floor and after drying, as a result of which a gleaming film is formed. Floor polish contains ingredients such as wax and polymers in various ratios. A longer polishing activity is required for polishes that contain relatively more wax.
The EPHECT (2012) survey shows that only a minor fraction of the European consumer population buys floor polishing products. Floor polish is used by only 14% of the survey respondents. Most consumers that buy floor polish use it weekly (41% use it once or twice a week); 29% use it or once or twice a month and 18% use the product less often than once a month. Few people use the product daily (7%). Floor polishes are most used for living room floors (68%) and for the floor in the hallway (51%). Consumers in Italy, however, most often use the product in bedrooms (72%). Most users prefer the product in liquid form (79%), in comparison with wipes.
11.1.3.1. Floor polishing liquid
Scenarios for consumer exposure
Floor polishing liquids are ready-to-use products in that they are used undiluted. Exposure from mixing and loading is thus not considered (4.1.3). Instead, the polish is directly applied to the floor with a squeeze bottle and spread over the floor with a mop. Dermal exposure is anticipated at this moment from spills ending up on the back of the hand of the consumer, whereas inhalation exposure to volatile substances evaporating from the treated surface is anticipated as well. It is assumed that the consumer leaves the room directly after the floor has been treated with floor polishing liquid.
Frequency
The previous Cleaning Products Fact Sheet (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a) prescribes a default of twice a year. Versar (1992) estimated the frequency at 2 times in 6 months, while Westat (1987) gives a 75th percentile of 6 times per year for wood floor cleaners. However, EPHECT (2012) shows that 46% of the consumers that use floor polish do so weekly. Based on the recent and rich data of EPHECT specifically collected to measure the use of floor polish, the new default is set at 52 times per year with a Q-factor of 4.
11.1.3.1.1. Application: polishing
The scenario of inhalation exposure from treating a floor with liquid polish products is in accordance with the generic scenario for surface treatment (4.2.2). Hence, to estimate expected inhalation exposure, the inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–increasing release model is used. The scenario for dermal exposure, however, is not in accordance with the generic scenario, because the product is used in undiluted form and applied to the floor with a squeeze bottle. Here, the dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading model is used.
Application duration
The previous Cleaning Products Fact Sheet (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a) prescribes a default of 90 min, based on the 75th percentile of Westat (1987). Data of higher quality have not since become available. Therefore, the default application duration remains at 90 min with a Q- factor of 3.
Exposure duration
Product information advises the consumer to leave the room once the floor polishing liquid has been applied. The default for exposure duration is thus set equal to the application duration (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a). The default remains 90 min. The Q-factor, however, is set to 2, because the quality of the data is compromised by the assumption that the consumer leaves the room directly after the polishing task.
Product amount – inhalation
Product information prescribes a use of 17–25 g per m2 (Antiquax, 2017; Bona, 2016; Cemcrete, 2014; RigoStep, 2012). The surface area of the floor is 22 m2, so the maximum product amount required is 550 g, which is in accordance with the default in the previous Cleaning Products Fact Sheet (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a). The default thus remains at 550 g. The Q-factor, however, is lowered to 2, because the supporting data (from product information) are limited.
Molecular weight matrix
The water fraction in liquid floor polish is about 0.8 (Table 11.1). Following the conservative approach, the default molecular weight matrix is calculated as the molecular weight of water (18 g/mol) divided by the fraction of water in the product (0.8), which yields 22 g/mol. The Q-factor is 2, because the supporting quantitative data are limited.
Product amount – dermal
The previous Cleaning Products Fact Sheet (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a) prescribes a calculation for dermal exposure to undiluted products applied in surface treatment. It was assumed that 1% of the total amount that is applied ends up on the palm of the consumer. However, assuming a surface area equivalent to two palms, the product amount would be a clear overestimation for this specific scenario. Instead it is assumed that the consumer accidentally touches the treated floor with one palm (225 cm2). In order to be conservative, it is assumed that the consumer is dermally exposed to the entire product amount that is on the interface between the surface of the floor and that of one palm. Hence, the amount per m2 applied to the floor is equal to the amount per m2 on the palm of the hand of the consumer. For floor polish the default product amount subject to dermal exposure is thus calculated as 225 cm2 x 25 g/m2 = 0.55 g. The Q-factor is set to 1, because of the assumption that the product amount per m2 on the treated surface is equal to the amount per m2 on the exposed palm.
Table 11.8:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to floor polishing liquid during application
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 52 per year | 4 | EPHECT 2012 |
| Inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–increasing release area | |||
| Exposure duration | 90 min | 2 | See above |
| Product amount | 550 g | 2 | See above |
| Room volume | 58 m3 | 4 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Ventilation rate | 0.5 per hour | 3 | Living room Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Release area | 22 m2 | 4 | Living room floor (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Application duration | 90 min | 3 | Westat 1987 |
| Application temperature | 20 °C | 4 | Room temperature |
| Mass transfer coefficient | 10 m/h | 2 | Section 4.2.2 |
| Molecular weight matrix | 22 g/mol | 2 | See above |
| Dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading | |||
| Exposed area Product amount | 225 cm2 0.55 g | 3 1 | Palm (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) See above |
11.1.3.2. Floor polish spray
Scenarios for consumer exposure
Floor polish sprays are ready-to-use products marketed as trigger sprays. Therefore, they are used undiluted. Exposure from mixing and loading is thus not considered (4.1.3). Floor polish sprays can be applied to an entire floor or to spots such as dirt or heel marks. When treating the entire floor, the consumer ‘lightly’ sprays the polish over an area of about 2 m2 and then rubs this area with a cloth. The activities of spraying and rubbing 2 m2 are then repeated until the entire floor is polished. During this spray treatment inhalation exposure is anticipated from the spray cloud and dermal exposure is anticipated from deposition of the spray cloud to the consumer’s skin. In the case of volatile substances, evaporation from the treated surface during rubbing is not considered, because inhalation exposure to the volatile substance in the spray is already covered in the instantaneous exposure estimate for the spraying activity (4.2.2). Additional dermal exposure is expected where the polish spray is used to treat a dirt or heel mark. For such local treatment, the consumer intensively sprays the mark and uses a cloth to rub it off. Dermal exposure is anticipated from accidental hand contact with the treated surface. Once the floor has been polished, the consumer is expected to leave the room and children are kept out of reach of the treated surface. Post-application or secondary exposure is therefore not considered.
11.1.3.2.1. Application: spraying
Inhalation exposure to non-volatile substances present as sprayed particles is estimated using the inhalation–exposure to spray– spraying release model. Dermal exposure is estimated using the dermal–direct product contact–constant rate loading model (4.2.1). The defaults for the parameters: mass generation rate, airborne fraction, density non-volatiles and contact rate area are in accordance with the generic scenario (4.2.1). Inhalation exposure to volatile substances in floor polish sprays is estimated using the inhalation– exposure to spray–instantaneous release model. The defaults for the parameters: exposure duration, room volume, ventilation and inhalation rate described for non-volatiles in floor polish sprays also apply to the volatile substances.
Spray duration
The spray duration is derived from the use pattern to treat an entire floor as described in the scenario. Product information suggests to ‘lightly’ mist an area of about 2 m2 before rubbing the polish in with a cloth (Stromberg, 2017). Lightly misting an area of 2 m2 is interpreted here as a spray event, which is assumed to be comparable with the spray events to treat furniture as described in the EPHECT survey. Therefore, the 75th percentile for a floor spray event is ‘5 sprayings’ (EPHECT, 2012). Pulling a trigger spray 10 times takes 6 s according to Delmaar & Bremmer (2009), so that 5 sprayings require 3 s. The floor that is treated is a living room floor with an area of 22 m2, so that the pattern of lightly misting an area of 2 m2 is repeated 11 times. Therefore, the spray duration required to treat the entire floor is 11 x 3 s = 33 s. The default spray duration is set to 33 s. The Q-factor is set to 2, because the data supporting the calculation are limited.
Exposure duration
Exposure duration is interpreted here as the duration of the polishing task. It is assumed that the duration of polishing a floor with spray is the same as that of polishing a floor with liquid: 90 min (11.1.3.1.1). The default exposure duration is thus set to 90 min and the Q-factor is set to 2 in accordance with the exposure duration when treating the floor with polishing liquid (11.1.3.1.1).
Mass generation rate
The floor polish is applied with a trigger spray, which generically has a mass generation rate of 1.6 g/s (4.2.1). The Q-factor is set to 3, because the supporting quantitative data were generically collected in relation to the use of trigger sprays and not specifically for floor polish sprays.
Initial particle distribution
Delmaar & Bremmer (2009) experimentally derived the particle size distribution of droplets released by a spray can containing furniture polish. They found a lognormal distribution with a median diameter of 10.8 µm and a C.V. of 0.81. The default initial particle distribution is set accordingly for floor polishes. The Q-factor is set to 2, because the data were collected specifically for furniture polish but are limited to 5 measurements on 2 samples.
Released mass
Released mass is interpreted here as the product amount that is sprayed out of the bottle or can. The default released mass is calculated to be 53 g by multiplying the spray duration (33 s) by the mass generation rate (1.6 g/s). The Q-factor is set to 2, because that is the lowest Q-factor assigned to the elements of the calculation, i.e. to spray duration (see above).
Table 11.9:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to floor polish spray during application to the entire floor area
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | ||||
| Frequency | 52 per year | 4 | EPHECT, 2012 | |
| Inhalation–exposure to spray–spraying | ||||
| Spray duration1 | 33 s | 2 | See above | |
| Exposure duration2 | 90 min | 2 | See above | |
| Room volume2 | 58 m3 | 4 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) | |
| Room height1 | 2.5 m | 4 | Standard room height (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) | |
| Ventilation rate2 | 0.5 per hour | 3 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) | |
| Mass generation rate1 | 1.6 g/s | 3 | Section 4.2.1 | |
| Airborne fraction1 | 0.2 | 3 | Section 4.2.1 | |
| Density non- volatile1 | 1.8 g/cm3 | 3 | Section 4.2.1 | |
| Initial particle distribution | 10.8 µm | 3 | Delmaar & Bremmer, 2009 | |
| Median1 (C.V.)1 | (0.81) | |||
| Inhalation cut-off diameter1 | 15 µm | 3 | Delmaar & Schuur, 2016 | |
| Inhalation–exposure to spray–instantaneous release | ||||
| Release mass3 | 53 g | 2 | See above | |
| Dermal–direct product contact–constant rate | ||||
| Exposed area | 2200 cm2 | 3 | Section 4.2.1 | |
| Contact rate | 46 mg/min | 3 | Section 4.2.1 (trigger sprays) | |
| Release duration | 66 s | 2 | Twice the spray duration (4.2.1) | |
1: Applies to non-volatile substances only
2: Applies to both volatile and non-volatile substances
3: Applies to volatile substances only
11.1.3.2.2. Application: spot polishing
In addition to the dermal exposure from deposition of sprayed aerosols to the skin of the consumer, dermal exposure by hand contact while rubbing the surface is expected during the treatment of local dirt or heel marks. Polishing the surface is in accordance with the generic scenario for surface treatment (4.2.2). Therefore, the dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading model is used to estimate dermal exposure via hand contact while rubbing the surface. For volatile substances, evaporation from the treated surface during the rubbing activity is not considered, because inhalation exposure to volatile substances in the spray is already covered in the exposure estimate for the spraying activity (4.2.2).
Product amount – dermal
The previous Cleaning Products Fact Sheet (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a) prescribes a calculation for dermal exposure to undiluted products applied in surface treatment. It was assumed that 1% of the total amount that is applied ends up on the palms of the consumer. However, assuming a surface area equivalent two palms would be a clear overestimation for this specific scenario. Instead it is assumed that the amount per m2 applied to the floor is equal to the amount per m2 on the palm of one hand of the consumer. For local treatment the consumer sprays more intensively than for treatment of the entire floor, so that a greater amount of product per unit of area is applied. Here it is assumed that the spot is treated with a similar amount per m2 as described for the application of floor polishing liquid. Therefore, the amount of product applied is 25 g/m2 (11.1.3.2). The default product amount subject to dermal exposure is then calculated as 225 cm2 x 25 g/m2 = 0.55 g (11.1.3.2). The Q-factor is set to 1, because of the assumption that the product amount per m2 on the treated surface is equal to the amount per m2 on the exposed surface.
Table 11.10:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to floor polishing spray during application to spots
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 52 per year | 4 | EPHECT, 2012 |
| Dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading | |||
| Exposed area Product amount | 225 cm2 0.55 g | 3 1 | One palm (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) See above |
11.1.4. Floor cleaning wipes
Scenarios for consumer exposure
Floor cleaning wipes are taken from the package and mounted on a mop head. Dermal exposure is expected from mounting the wipe via contact with the inside of the consumer’s hand. Once the wipe is mounted, the consumer starts to clean the floor of the living room. At this moment inhalation exposure is anticipated as volatile substances evaporate from the floor surface. Afterwards, the consumer allows the treated surface to air-dry and remains in the living room. Secondary exposure can be expected for children crawling on the treated floor.
Frequency
The previous Cleaning Products Fact Sheet (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a) prescribes a default of 104 times per year, based on the typical AISE (2002) value for cleaning furniture. Analysis of EPHECT data (2012) shows a 75th percentile of 66 times per year for cleaning a floor with wipes (Annex II). The new default is based on the data of EPHECT, which are recent, rich and specifically collected to measure floor cleaning with wipes. Hence, the Q-factor is 4.
11.1.4.1. Application: mounting and cleaning
Dermal exposure is anticipated during hand contact with the wipe upon mounting the wipe on the mop head. Inhalation exposure is estimated during cleaning of the surface. The dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading model is used to estimate dermal exposure, whereas inhalation exposure is estimated using the inhalation– exposure to vapour-evaporation–increasing release area model.
Application duration
According to AISE (2014), the duration of a cleaning task with floor wipes is 2–10 minutes, with a typical duration of 5 min. The new default value is therefore set at 10 min. The Q-factor is 2. Although the data were specifically collected in relation to the use of floor wipes, important context data such as the treated surface area are not given. (For example, a larger surface area takes longer to clean, which will affect the application duration.)
Exposure duration
It is assumed that the consumer stays in the room for 4 hours after the cleaning task. Therefore, the default exposure duration is set to 240 min (4 hours). The Q-factor is set to 1, because the time the consumer stays in the room is based on expert judgement.
Product amount – inhalation
The product amount that is subject to inhalation is interpreted here as the amount that is applied to the floor. The previous Cleaning Products Fact Sheet (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a) prescribes a default of 25 g. AISE (2014) presents a typical amount of 26 g per task. Analysis of the EPHECT data (2012) shows a 75th percentile value of 19 g (Annex II). The new default is set at 20 g based on the data of EPHECT, which are recent, rich and specifically collected in relation to floor cleaning with wipes. However, important context data such as the treated surface area are not given. Therefore, the Q-factor is set to 2.
Molecular weight matrix
According to the general composition of floor wipes, the fraction of water in the liquid is 0.5. Following the conservative approach, the default molecular weight matrix is calculated as the molecular weight of water (18 g/mol) divided by the fraction of water in the product (0.5), which yields 36 g/mol. The Q-factor is 2, because the supporting quantitative data are limited.
Table 11.11:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to floor cleaning wipes during loading and application
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 66 per year | 4 | EPHECT, 2012 |
| Inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–increasing release area | |||
| Exposure duration | 240 min | 1 | Scenario |
| Product amount | 20 g | 2 | Annex II |
| Room volume | 58 m3 | 4 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Ventilation rate | 0.5 per hour | 3 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Release area | 22 m2 | 4 | Living room floor (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Application duration | 10 min | 2 | AISE, 2014 |
| Application temperature | 20 °C | 4 | Room temperature |
| Mass transfer coefficient | 10 m/h | 2 | Section 4.2.2 |
| Molecular weight matrix | 36 g/mol | 2 | See above |
| Dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading | |||
| Exposed area Product amount | 225 cm2 0.05 g | 3 3 | Hand palms (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) Section 4.2.2.1 |
11.1.4.2. Post-application: rubbing-off
Secondary exposure to substances in floor wipes is expected, since the treated floor is accessible to small children. This form of secondary exposure is estimated using the ConsExpo dermal–direct product contact–rubbing-off model in accordance with the generic scenario for rubbing-off (4.3.1). The oral–direct product contact–direct oral intake model is used to calculate oral exposure from hand-to-mouth behaviour (4.3.2).
Contacted surface
The contacted surface (Sarea) is the area of the treated surface that can be rubbed, which is in this scenario the floor of a living room 22 m2 (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014). The default is thus set to 22 m2 and the Q- factor is set to 4 in accordance with the General Fact Sheet (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014).
Dislodgeable amount
As described in the generic scenario (4.3.1), the dislodgeable amount (Fdislodge) is calculated by multiplying a fraction of 0.3 by the used product amount (g) per m2, which is in this scenario equal to 0.27 g/m2 (0.3 x 20 g/22 m2 ). The Q-factor is set to 2, because the supporting data are limited.
Contact time
It is assumed that a child of 12 months crawls over a cleaned floor for 1 hour a day. The contact time (t) default is therefore set at 60 min with a Q-factor of 1 as it is derived from expert judgement (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a).
Ingested amount
The ingested amount via hand-to-mouth contact can be calculated by taking 10% of the total external dose (4.3.2).
Table 11.12:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to floor cleaning wipes by rubbing-off
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 66 per year | 4 | EPHECT, 2012 |
| Body weight | 8.0 kg | 4 | 4.3.1 |
| Dermal–direct product contact–rubbing-off | |||
| Contacted surface | 22 m2 | 4 | Living room floor (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Dislodgeable amount | 0.27 g /m2 | 2 | See above |
| Transfer coefficient | 0.2 m2/hr | 3 | Section 4.3.1 |
| Contact time | 60 min | 1 | Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a |
| Exposed Area | 0.3 m2 | 4 | Section 4.3.1 |
| Oral–direct product contact–direct oral intake | |||
| Ingested amount | 10% of total external dose | 1 | Section 4.3.2 |
11.1.5. Floor cleaning liquid cartridge
Scenario
Some mop systems for cleaning floors have cleaning pads and refillable cartridges. Inhalation and dermal exposure is anticipated while (re)filling the cartridge, which is considered to be in accordance with the generic exposure scenario for mixing and loading liquids (4.1.2). Once the cartridge is full, the consumer mounts it onto the mop. Exposure is not anticipated at this mounting stage, because the cleaning product is in the enclosed reservoir of the mop system. Next, the consumer starts to clean to floor of the living room. The cleaning product is released from the reservoir onto the floor by pulling a trigger on the mop handle. The consumer applies the cleaning product over the entire floor area by repeatedly pulling the trigger and continuously mopping the product. Once the floor has been cleaned, the cleaning pad is removed from the mop system. Dermal exposure is anticipated at this moment via contact with the inside of the consumer’s hand. Afterwards, the consumer allows the treated surface to air-dry and remains in the living room. Secondary exposure can be expected for children crawling on the treated floor.
Frequency
The previous Cleaning Products Fact Sheet (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a) prescribes a default of 104 times per year. According to AISE (2014), surface cleaners are used 1 to 7 times per week, with a typical frequency of 2 times per week (104 per year). Weegels (1997) reports a 75th percentile of 320 per year but this also includes the cleaning of other rooms. Analysis of the EPHECT (2012) data results in a 75th percentile for the use frequency of floor cleaning liquids of 161 times per year. The new default is set at 161 times per year based on the data of EPHECT, which are recent and rich (1333 data points) but not specifically collected to measure floor cleaning with cartridge systems. Hence, the Q-factor is 3.
11.1.5.1. Mixing and loading
During the opening of the bottle and the pouring of floor cleaner into the empty cartridge, volatiles evaporate from the bottle into the personal breathing zone of the consumer. Meanwhile, spills (droplets) end up on the back of the pouring (directing) hand. To estimate exposure, the inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–constant release area model and dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading model are used (see section 4.1.2). Defaults for the parameters: product amount (inhalation), exposure duration, room volume, release area, application duration, mass transfer coefficient, exposed area and product amount (dermal) are described in the generic scenario (4.1.2).
Molecular weight matrix
The ratio of water to other substances in cartridge floor cleaning liquids is about 2 to 1, so that the fraction of water is about 66% (Bona, 2016). Following the conservative approach, the default molecular weight matrix is calculated as the molecular weight of water (18 g/mol) divided by the fraction of water in the product (0.66) which yields 27 g/mol. The Q-factor is 2, because the supporting quantitative data are limited.
Table 11.13:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to floor cleaning liquid in cartridges during mixing and loading
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 161 per year | 4 | Section 11.1.1 |
| Inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–constant release area | |||
| Exposure duration | 0.75 min | 3 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Product amount | 500 g | 2 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Room volume | 1 m3 | 1 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Ventilation rate | 0.5 per hour | 1 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Release area | 20 cm2 | 2 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Emission duration | 0.3 min | 3 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Application temperature | 20 °C | 4 | Room temperature |
| Mass transfer Coefficient | 10 m/h | 2 | Section 4.2.2 |
| Molecular weight matrix | 27 g/mol | 2 | See above |
| Dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading | |||
| Exposed area | 225 cm2 | 3 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Product amount | 0.01 g | 3 | Section 4.1.2 |
11.1.5.2. Application: cleaning
Once the product has been applied to the floor, inhalation exposure to floor cleaning liquid in a cartridge mop system becomes similar to the expected inhalation exposure to regular floor cleaning liquids (11.1.1). This is not the case for dermal exposure, however. Dermal exposure to regular floor cleaning liquids occurs via dipping the hands and forearms in water that contains the cleaning liquid, whereas dermal exposure when using the cartridge system is expected only during removal of the pad. Exposure is thus estimated using the inhalation–exposure to vapour- evaporation–increasing release model (11.1.1) and the dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading model.
Product amount – inhalation
It is assumed that the amount of active cleaning ingredients that is applied to the floor with a floor mop cartridge system is equal to the amount of active cleaning ingredients that is applied to the floor when using a regular floor cleaning liquid. Comparing the ingredient composition of cartridge floor cleaners and regular floor cleaning liquids shows that the weight fractions of active ingredients are about the same (Bona, 2017). Therefore, it is assumed that the product amount of 14 g relating to regular floor cleaning products (11.1.1) is also applicable to cartridge floor cleaning products. The default product amount is thus set to 14 g. The Q-factor is set to 1, because the assumption that the product amounts for cartridge and regular floor cleaning liquids are similar compromises the initial Q-factor of 2 (11.1.1)
Product amount – dermal
Dermal exposure is anticipated for the consumer when touching the mop pad with the palm of the hand. The cartridge floor cleaning liquid is used undiluted, but it is assumed that it comprises a sufficient amount of water for the product amount on the palm to be calculated using the layer thickness model (4.2.2). Assuming a density of 1g/cm3, the product amount that is subject to dermal exposure is calculated as 225 cm2 x 0.01 cm x 1g/cm3 = 2.25g. The default product amount is thus set to 2.25 g. The Q-factor is set to 1, given the number of assumptions in the calculation.
Table 11.14:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to floor cleaning liquid in cartridges during application
| Default value | Q- factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 161 per year | 4 | Section 11.1.1 |
| Inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–increasing release area | |||
| Exposure duration | 240 min | 1 | Section 11.1.1 |
| Product amount | 14 g | 1 | See above |
| Room volume | 58 m3 | 4 | Section 11.1.1 |
| Ventilation rate | 0.5 per hour | 3 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Release area | 22 m2 | 4 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Application duration | 20 min | 4 | Section 11.1.1 |
| Application temperature | 20 °C | 4 | Room temperature |
| Mass transfer coefficient | 10 m/h | 2 | Section 4.2.2 |
| Molecular weight matrix | 27 g/mol | 2 | Section 11.1.5.1 |
| Dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading | |||
| Exposed area | 225 cm2 | 3 | Palm (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Product amount | 2.25 g | 1 | See above |
11.1.5.3. Post-application: rubbing-off
Post-application exposure to substances in floor cleaning liquids in cartridges is expected, since the treated floor is accessible to small children. This form of secondary exposure is estimated using the dermal–direct product contact–rubbing-off model according to the generic scenario for rubbing-off (4.3.1). The oral–direct product contact–direct oral intake model is used to calculate oral exposure from hand-to-mouth behaviour (4.3.2).
Contacted surface
The contacted surface (Sarea) is the area of the treated surface that can be rubbed, which is in this scenario the floor of a living room: 22 m2 (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014). The default is thus set to 22 m2 and the Q-factor is set to 4 in accordance with the General Fact Sheet (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014).
Dislodgeable amount
As described in the generic scenario (4.3.1), the dislodgeable amount (Fdislodge) is calculated by multiplying a fraction of 0.3 by the used product amount (g) per m2, which is in this scenario equal to 0.2 g/m2 (0.3 x 14.4 g/22 m2). The Q-factor is set to 1, because of the low Q-factor assigned to the product amount (11.1.5.2).
Contact time
It is assumed that a child of 12 months crawls over a cleaned floor for 1 hour a day. The default contact time (t) is therefore set at 60 min, with a Q-factor of 1 as it is derived from expert judgement (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a).
Ingested amount
The ingested amount via hand-to-mouth contact can be calculated by taking 10% of the total external dose (4.3.2).
Table 11.15:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to floor cleaning liquid in cartridge during rubbing-off
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 161 per year | 4 | Section 11.1.1 |
| Body weight | 8.0 kg | 4 | 4.3.1 |
| Dermal –direct product contact–rubbing-off loading | |||
| Contacted surface | 22 m2 | 4 | Living room floor (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Dislodgeable amount | 0.2 g/m2 | 2 | See above |
| Transfer coefficient | 0.2 m2/hr | 3 | Section 4.3.1 |
| Contact time | 60 min | 2 | Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a |
| Exposed Area | 0.3 m2 | 4 | Section 4.3.1 |
| Oral–direct product contact–direct oral intake | |||
| Ingested amount | 10% of total external dose | 1 | Section 4.3.2 |
11.2. Carpet products
Carpet cleaners are used for cleaning all kinds of carpets, rugs and upholstery. They dissolve oily and greasy soils. The cleaning solution or foam loosens the dirt from the fibres, coats the dirt particles for easy removal and keeps the carpets cleaner for a longer time. A wide variety of carpet cleaning products exists, including liquids, ready-to-use sprays, powders and aerosols. Carpet cleaning products can be applied manually or with a cleaning machine.
Table 11.16:
General composition of carpet cleaners
| Carpet cleaner ingredients | LiquidA % (w/w) | PowderA % w/w) | ShampooB % (w/w) | Spot remover liquidA % (w/w) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surfactants Anionic Non-ionic | 0–15 0–15 | 1–5 | 1–5 | 0–>30 |
| Builders Polycarboxylates | 0–5 | 0–2 | ||
| Solvents & hydrotropes
Ethanol/ isopropylalochol Glycols/glycolethers | 0–>30 | 7–14 | 30–40 0–15 | |
| Additives Polymers Foam stabilizers Preservatives Colorants Fragrances Carriers Propellants Water | <1 <1 60–90 | <1 15–60 40–80 | <0.02 <1 90 |
A: Composition adopted from Prud’homme de Lodder et al. (2006a)
11.2.1. Carpet cleaning liquid
Scenarios for consumer exposure
Carpet cleaning liquids are diluted with water before they are applied to the carpet either manually or with a machine. The anticipated exposure for loading a machine or a bucket for manual cleaning is considered to be similar, because both activities are in accordance with the generic scenario for loading liquids (4.1.2). Once the carpet cleaning liquid has been diluted, the consumer starts to treat the carpet. Manual treatment is performed by rubbing the product into the carpet with a brush or sponge. Machine cleaning is done with a machine that continuously sprays and vacuums the cleaning dilution back into the solution reservoir. Cleaning the carpet with a machine requires less time and leaves lower amounts of residue. Except for the application and exposure duration, however, inhalation and dermal exposure are estimated to be similar for manual and machine cleaning. Dermal exposure is estimated from the concentration of product in the water that ends up on the hands of the consumer. This volume of water is estimated from the exposed skin area and a water layer thickness of 0.01 cm (ECHA, 2015a, b). With manual cleaning the hands and forearms are dipped into the water in the bucket, whereas with machine cleaning the hands and forearms come in contact to thewater in the machine reservoir. The consumer stays in the room after cleaning the carpet. Furthermore, the carpet that is treated with the carpet cleaning liquid is an accessible surface for small children. Therefore, secondary dermal exposure may occur by rubbing off the product (4.3.1) and oral exposure from hand-to-mouth behaviour (4.3.2).
Frequency
Garcia-Hidalgo et al. (2017) present summary data, from which it is derived that the respondent representing the 75th percentile would report cleaning a rug or carpet once a week. It would take the respondent ‘10–30 min per task’ or ‘1–10 min per day’. Hence, the summary data of Garcia-Hidalgo prove to be consistent with respect to the frequency and duration of cleaning a carpet or rug. Data other than product information recommending cleaning the carpet at least once a year are not available. The default frequency is therefore based on the survey of Garcia-Hidalgo et al. (2017) and set to 52 per year. The Q- factor is set to 4, because the underlying dataset is large, internally consistent and specifically collected to measure the frequency of cleaning a carpet.
11.2.1.1.1. Mixing and loading
During the opening of the bottle and the pouring of carpet cleaning liquid into a bucket or machine reservoir, volatiles evaporate from the bottle into the personal breathing zone of the consumer. Meanwhile, spilled droplets end up on the back of the pouring hand. To estimate exposure, the inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation– constant release area model and dermal–direct product contact– instant application loading model are used (see Section 4.1.2). Defaults for the parameters: product amount (inhalation), exposure duration, room volume, release area, application duration, exposed area and product amount (dermal) are described in the generic scenario (4.1.2).
Molecular weight matrix
The fraction of water in the carpet cleaning liquid is estimated at 0.6 (Table 11.13). Following the conservative approach, the default molecular weight matrix is calculated as the molecular weight of water (18 g/mol) divided by the fraction of water in the product (0.6), which yields 30 g/mol. The Q-factor is 2, because the supporting quantitative data are limited.
Table 11.17:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to carpet cleaning liquid during mixing and loading
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 52 per year | 4 | Garcia-Hidalgo et al., 2017 |
| Inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–constant release area | |||
| Exposure duration | 0.75 min | 3 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Product amount | 500 g | 2 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Room volume | 1 m3 | 1 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Ventilation rate | 0.5 per hour | 1 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Release area | 20 cm2 | 2 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Emission duration | 0.3 min | 3 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Application temperature | 20 °C | 4 | Room temperature |
| Mass transfer coefficient | 10 m/h | 2 | Section 4.2.2 |
| Molecular weight matrix | 30 g/mol | 2 | See above |
| Dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading | |||
| Exposed area | 225 cm2 | 3 | Section 4.1.2 |
| Product amount | 0.01 g | 3 | Section 4.1.2 |
11.2.1.1.2. Application: manual and machine cleaning
Inhalation and dermal exposure are estimated to be similar for manual and machine cleaning, except for the application and exposure duration. Exposure is estimated using the inhalation–exposure to vapour– evaporation–increasing release area model and the dermal instant–direct product contact–instant application loading model.
Application duration
Application duration is interpreted here as the duration of cleaning the carpet. According to the summary data of Garcia-Hidalgo et al. (2017), the 75th percentile for the duration of the cleaning task is ‘up to 30 min’. However, important context information, such as the area of the carpet that is treated and whether the treatment is manual or with a machine, is missing. The default emission duration for cleaning the carpet by machine is therefore set to 30 min. The Q-factor is set to 2, because of the missing context information. For manual treatment, the default is set to 60 min, assuming it takes twice as long to clean a carpet manually as to clean it with a machine. Because of this assumption, the Q-factor is lowered to 1 for manual treatment.
Exposure duration
It is assumed that the consumer stays in the room for four hours after the cleaning task. Therefore, the default exposure duration is set to 240 min (4 hours). The Q-factor is set to 1, because the time the consumer remains in the room is based on expert judgement.
Amount of solution used
The amount of solution used is defined as the sum of the solvent and product amount subject to evaporation. The solvent amount subject to evaporation is considered to be the amount of water applied to the carpet, which is estimated to be 10 l, based on the volume of the solution reservoir of a carpet-cleaning machine. Product information on carpet- cleaning machines explains that there are small carpet cleaners with a reservoir of 0.35 to 1.4-10 l (SteamInsider, 2017) and large carpet cleaners with a reservoir of 30–45 l (Kärcher, 2017a, b). Here, it is assumed that a volume of 10 l is representative of both small and large machine reservoirs, as well as the volume of water in a bucket for manual cleaning. The previous Cleaning Products Fact Sheet (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a) prescribes a product use of 0.025–0.03 l per m2, which is in accordance with the recommended use amount described in recent product information: 1 l of carpet cleaning liquid cleans about 37.5 m2 (Rug Doctor, 2016). It can be assumed that the density of carpet cleaning liquid is 1000 g/l, since it mainly consists of water (Table 11.13). The amount of carpet cleaning liquid applied on the carpet is thus calculated as 0.03 l/m2 x 22 m2 x 1000 g/l = 660 g. The default amount of solution used is calculated to be 10,000 g + 660 g ≈ 11 kg. The Q- factor is set to 2, because the supporting data collected from product information are limited.
Dilution (times)
The carpet cleaning liquid is diluted in the water in the reservoir of the carpet cleaner, which is estimated to be 10 l in volume and thus 10 kg in mass, see above. Hence, the dilution of the product amount (660 g) is calculated as 11 kg / 660 g = 16. The Q-factor is set to 2, because the calculation is not entirely based on expert judgement but lacks support by quantitative data.
Product amount – dermal
The product amount that is subject to dermal exposure is interpreted here as the product amount that is in contact with the hands and forearms of the consumer. However, the carpet cleaning liquid is diluted with water prior to the application stage. The product amount that is subject to dermal exposure is therefore calculated from the volume of water that is in contact with the skin and the concentration of the carpet cleaning liquid in the water. The concentration is calculated by dividing the used product amount of 660 g (see above) with the volume of water it is diluted in. The previous Cleaning Products Fact Sheet (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a) prescribes a dilution with 10 l water for both manual and machine cleaning. The concentration in the water is thus calculated to be 66 g/l, i.e. 660 g/10 l. According to the generic scenario for the application of diluted products, the volume of water left on the skin from contact with hands and forearms to the water is 22 ml (4.2.3). The product amount that is subject to dermal exposure is therefore calculated as 66 g/l x 22 ml = 1.45 g. The Q-factor is 2, because the calculation of the default product amount for dermal exposure can be improved by further specification of the solution reservoir.
Table 11.18:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to carpet cleaning liquid during application (manual and machine cleaning)
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | ||||
| Frequency | 52 per year | 4 | Garcia-Hidalgo et al. (2017) | |
| Inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–increasing release area | ||||
| Exposure duration | 240 min | 1 | See above | |
| Amount of solution used | 11 kg | 2 | See above | |
| Dilution (times) | 16 | 2 | See above | |
| Room volume | 58 m3 | 4 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) | |
| Ventilation rate | 0.5 per hour | 3 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) | |
| Release area | 22 m2 | 4 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) | |
| Application duration | ||||
| 60 min | 1 | See above | |
| 30 min | 2 | Garcia-Hidalgo et al., 2017 | |
| Application temperature | 20 °C | 4 | Room temperature | |
| Mass transfer coefficient | 10 m/h | 2 | Section 4.2.2 | |
| Molecular weight matrix | 18 g/mol | 4 | Matrix is water | |
| Dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading | ||||
| Exposed area | 2200 cm2 | 3 | Section 4.2.3 | |
| Product amount | 1.5 g | 2 | See above | |
11.2.1.2. Post-application exposure: rubbing-off
Post-application exposure for small children crawling over the treated carpet is estimated according to the generic scenario for rubbing-off (4.3.1). Hence, the dermal–direct product contact–rubbing-off loading model is used to estimate dermal exposure and the oral– direct product contact–direct oral intake model is used to estimate oral exposure from hand-to-mouth behaviour (4.3.2).
Contacted surface
The contacted surface (Sarea) is the area of the treated surface that can be rubbed, which is in this scenario the floor of a living room: 22 m2 (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014). The default is thus set to 22 m2 and the Q- factor is set to 4 in accordance to the General Fact Sheet (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014).
Dislodgeable amount
As described in the generic scenario (4.3.1), the dislodgeable amount (Fdislodge) is calculated by multiplying a fraction of 0.3 by the used product amount (g) per m2. The dislodgeable amount is thus calculated as 0.3 x 660 g/22 m2 = 9 g/m2. The Q-factor is set to 2, because the supporting quantitative data are limited.
Table 11.19:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to carpet cleaning liquid from rubbing-off
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency Body weight | 52 per year 8.0 kg | 4 4 | Garcia-Hidalgo et al., 2017 4.3.1 |
| Dermal–direct product contact –rubbing-off loading | |||
| Contacted surface | 22 m2 | 4 | Living room floor (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Dislodgeable amount | 9 g/m2 | 2 | See above |
| Transfer coefficient | 0.2 m2/hr | 3 | Section 4.3.1 |
| Contact time | 60 min | 1 | Section 4.3.1 |
| Exposed area | 0.3 m2 | 4 | Section 4.3.1 |
| Oral–direct product contact–direct oral intake | |||
| Ingested amount | 10% of total external dose | 1 | Section 4.3.2 |
11.2.2. Carpet powders
Carpet cleaners are also available as moist powders that contain water, solvents and surfactants to emulsify dirt. Product residues are removed with a vacuum cleaner once the dirt is absorbed into the powder and the carpet is dry.
Scenarios for consumer exposure
Carpet powder is considered to be a ready-to-use product, since the consumer directly scatters the powder from the packaging to the surface that is to be cleaned. Therefore, there is no exposure considered from mixing and loading (4.1.3). The powder is scattered over a carpeted area of 22 m2 in the living room. Directly after scattering, the consumer brushes the powder into the carpet’s fibre structure. Dermal exposure is expected during brushing via hand contact. Next, the powder is left on the carpet for a period of 20 min in order for the product to absorb and emulsify dirt. Inhalation exposure is anticipated during leave-on, because volatile substances in the moist powder evaporate from the carpet. After leave-on, the powder is removed with a vacuum cleaner. Secondary exposure is anticipated nonetheless, because the treated carpet is accessible to small children and residues may still be present after vacuum cleaning.
Frequency
The frequency of cleaning a carpet is estimated from the summary data of Garcia-Hidalgo et al. (2017) to be 52 per year (11.2.1).
11.2.2.1. Application: scattering
ConsExpo Web does not possess a specific model to simulate exposure from scattering powders (Delmaar & Schuur, 2016). In contrast to abrasive powders used in the kitchen (9.1.1), carpet powders mainly consist of volatile substances (Table 11.11). Therefore, the inhalation– exposure to vapour–evaporation–increasing release area model is used to estimate inhalation exposure to carpet powders. For the estimation of dermal exposure the dermal–direct product contact– constant rate loading model is used.
Application duration
Application duration is interpreted here as the time required for the consumer to scatter and brush the powder into the carpet’s fibre structure. It is assumed that scattering a powder over and brushing it into a carpet is comparable to scattering a powder on a kitchen surface (9.1.1). Hence, in 1 min powder is scattered over 2 m2 of surface (9.1.2). The carpet is 22 m2, so that it takes 11 min to scatter powder over it. The default is thus set to 11 min. The Q-factor is 2, because the supporting data are limited.
Exposure duration
Exposure duration is interpreted here as the time required for the consumer to scatter the powder over the carpet plus a leave-on period of 20 min (Vanish, 2017). It is assumed that the consumer brushes the carpet during leave-on, so that no additional exposure duration from a brushing task is considered. Hence, the default exposure duration is set to 30 min. The Q-factor is 2, because the supporting data are limited.
Product amount – inhalation
The product amount that is subject to inhalation is calculated as the amount of powder that is scattered over the carpet. The previous Cleaning Products Fact Sheet (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a) prescribes a default of 50–100 g per m2, which is still in accordance with recent product information (Vanish, 2017). The carpet is 22 m2, so that 2200 g of powder is scattered. The default product amount that is subject to inhalation is thus 2.2 kg. The Q-factor is 2, because the supporting data are limited.
Molecular weight matrix
The fraction of water in the carpet powder is estimated at 0.4 (Table 11.13). Following the conservative approach, the default molecular weight matrix is calculated as the molecular weight of water (18 g/mol) divided by the fraction of water in the product (0.4), which yields 45 g/mol. The Q-factor is 2, because the supporting quantitative data are limited.
Contact rate
It is assumed that the contact rate of 2.8 mg/min derived in the generic scenario for loading powders also applies to scattering powders over a carpet. The default is set to 2.8 mg/min. The Q factor is 1, because it is unclear whether dermal contact from the loading of powders is comparable to dermal contact from the brushing of scattered powders.
Table 11.20:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to carpet cleaning powder during application
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 52 per year | 4 | Garcia-Hidalgo et al. (2017) |
| Inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–increasing release area | |||
| Exposure duration | 30 min | 2 | See above |
| Product amount | 2.2 kg | 2 | Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a |
| Room volume | 58 m3 | 4 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Ventilation rate | 0.5 per hour | 3 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Application duration | 11 min | 2 | See above |
| Application temperature | 20 °C | 4 | Room temperature |
| Mass transfer coefficient | 10 m/h | 2 | Section 4.2.2 |
| Molecular weight matrix | 45 g/mol | 2 | See above |
| Dermal–direct product contact–constant rate | |||
| Exposed area Release duration Contact rate | 225 cm2 11 min 2.8 mg/min | 3 2 1 | Hand palms (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) Application duration Section 4.1.1 |
11.2.2.2. Post-application: rubbing-off
The carpet that is treated with carpet powder is an accessible surface for small children, who may be dermally exposed by rubbing off the product from the carpet. This form of secondary exposure is estimated using the dermal–direct product contact–rubbing-off loading model according to the generic scenario for rubbing-off (4.3.1). The oral–direct product contact–direct oral intake model is used to calculate oral exposure from hand-to-mouth behaviour (4.3.2).
Contacted surface
The contacted surface (Sarea) is the area of treated surface that can be rubbed, which is in this scenario the floor of a living room: 22 m2 (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014). The default is thus set to 22 m2 and the Q-factor is set to 4 in accordance with the General Fact Sheet (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014).
Dislodgeable amount
As described in the generic scenario (4.3.1), the dislodgeable amount (Fdislodge) is calculated by multiplying a fraction of 0.3 by the product amount (g) per m2. The carpet is vacuum cleaned after treatment with carpet powder. There are no data available about the amount of residue that remains on the carpet. It is thus conservatively assumed that 10% of the product amount is still on the carpet after vacuum cleaning. Hence, the dislodgeable amount is 0.3 x (2200g / 22 m2) x 10% = 3 g/m2. The Q-factor is set to 1, because the assumption of 10% residue after vacuum cleaning is based on expert judgement only.
Contact time
It is assumed that a child of 12 months crawls over a cleaned floor for 1 hour a day. The default contact time (t) is therefore 60 min, with a Q-factor of 2 (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a).
Table 11.21:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to carpet cleaning powder from rubbing-off
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 52 per year | 2 | Garcia-Hidalgo et al., 2017 |
| Body weight | 8.0 kg | 4 | Section 4.3.1 |
| Dermal–direct product contact–rubbing-off loading model | |||
| Contacted surface | 22 m2 | 4 | Living room floor (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Dislodgeable amount | 3 g/m2 | 1 | See above |
| Transfer coefficient | 0.2 m2/hr | 3 | Section 4.3.1 |
| Contact time | 60 min | 2 | Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a |
| Exposed area | 0.3 m2 | 4 | Section 4.3.1 |
| Oral–direct product contact–direct oral intake model | |||
| Ingested amount | 10% of total external dose | Section 4.3.2 | |
11.2.3. Carpet spot remover
Carpet spot removers eliminate small stains and dirt from carpets and upholstery.
Scenarios for consumer exposure
The consumer uses a spray can that contains a foam spot remover to treat the carpet in the living room. The spray can is a ready-to-use product, so that exposure from mixing and loading is not considered (4.1.3). The user sprays the spot remover on an area of 0.1 m2. The foam is left on the stain to soak for 5 min. Inhalation exposure is anticipated during leave-on, as volatile substances may evaporate from the stain. Next, the dirt is absorbed with (paper) towels and the surface is patted dry. Dermal exposure is expected from rubbing the carpet/upholstery with towels.
Frequency
Westat (1987) investigated spot removers in a national survey and presents a 75th percentile value for use frequency of 10 times a year. The default remains 10 per year with a Q-factor of 3.
11.2.3.1. Application: removing spots
Inhalation exposure during leave-on is estimated using the inhalation– exposure to vapour–evaporation–constant release area model. Dermal exposure from patting with towels is estimated using the dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading model.
Release area
The release area is interpreted here as the surface area of the carpet stain that is to be treated. In accordance with the previous Cleaning Products Fact Sheet (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a), the default release area is set to 0.1 m2. The Q-factor is set to 1, because the default is based on expert judgement only.
Product amount – inhalation
The product amount that is subject to inhalation is interpreted here as the amount that is needed to treat the stain. Product information recommends an amount of 40 to 77 g per m2(Vanish, 2017). A stain of 0.1 m2 thus requires 8 g of product, and the default is set at 8 g accordingly. The Q-factor is 2, because the supporting data (product information) are limited.
Emission duration
Emission duration is interpreted here as the time during which the spot remover is left on the stain to soak. Product information recommends that the stain needs to be soaked for 1–5 min (Vanish, 2017). The default is set at 5 min to include the maximal duration of recommended use. The Q-factor is set to 2, because the data (product information) are limited.
Exposure duration
Exposure duration is interpreted here as the leave-on time plus the time the consumer needs to remove the spot with a cloth or towel. It is assumed that the duration for spot treatment for laundry products also applies to carpet products. According to AISE (2014), laundry pre- treatment takes 10 min per task (6.3.2). The default for exposure duration is therefore set to 15 min. The Q-factor is set to 1, because the product information supporting the leave-on time is limited and it is not clear to what extent the duration of spot treatment for laundry can be extrapolated to carpet products.
Molecular weight matrix
The fraction of ethanol in the spot remover is estimated at 0.4 (Table 11.13). The molecular weight matrix is thus calculated as 46 g/mol divided by 0.4 = 115 g/mol. The Q-factor is set to 2.
Product amount – dermal
The previous Cleaning Products Fact Sheet (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a) prescribes a calculation for dermal exposure to undiluted products applied in surface treatment. It was assumed that 1% of the total amount that is applied ends up on the palms of the consumer. However, it is unclear whether this assumption is plausible for this specific scenario. Instead it is conservatively assumed that the amount per m2 applied to the stain is equal to the amount per m2 on the exposed skin area of the consumer. The exposed skin area is calculated as five finger tips, because the rest of the hand is protected by the cloth or towel. For spot remover the default product amount subject to dermal exposure is thus calculated as (77g/m2) x 75 cm2 = 0.6 g. The Q-factor is 1, because of the assumption that the amount per m2 applied to the stain is equal to the amount per m2 on the exposed skin.
Exposed area
The exposed area is considered to be the top phalanges of all five fingers of one hand. The General Fact Sheet describes a default surface area of a hand to be 450 cm2 (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014). The surface area of fingers is thus 225 cm2, assuming they represents half the surface area of the hand. The surface area of one finger is then 45 cm2 and one phalanx 15 cm2 and five phalanges 75 cm2. The default is thus set to 75 cm2. The Q-factor is set to 3, because the underlying data described in the General Fact Sheet (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) are of high quality but are compromised by the calculation described.
Table 11.22:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to carpet spot remover during application
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 10 per year | 3 | Westat, 1987 |
| Inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–constant release area | |||
| Exposure duration | 15 min | 1 | Product information |
| Product amount | 8 g | 2 | Product information |
| Room volume | 58 m3 | 4 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Ventilation rate | 0.5 per hour | 3 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Release area | 0.1 m2 | 1 | See above |
| Application temperature | 20 °C | 4 | Room temperature |
| Emission duration | 5 min | 2 | See above |
| Mass transfer coefficient | 10 m/h | 2 | Section 4.2.2 |
| Molecular weight matrix | 115 g/mol | 2 | See above |
| Dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading | |||
| Exposed area | 75 cm2 | 3 | See above |
| Product amount | 0.6 g | 1 | See above |
11.3. Furniture and leather products
Furniture and leather products are intended to remove dust and stains, to protect various items of furniture, leather clothes and shoes and to produce a shine afterwards. There are products containing wax, oil or varnish. The products are available as liquids, sprays or pastes.
Table 11.23:
General composition of furniture and leather products
| Cleaning and care product ingredients | Furniture liquidA % (w/w) | Furniture sprayA % (w/w) | Wood liquidB % (w/w) | Wood sprayB % (w/w) | Leather foamB % (w/w) |
| Surfactants Anionic Non-ionic Soap | 1–10 1–5 | 0–2 | 5–20 1–5 | ||
| Waxes Oil, turpentine oil, mineral oil | 51 22 | <10 | 0–2 | 1–5 | |
| Solvents
Naphtha, petroleum distillate | 20 | <20 | 1–5 | 10–15 | 0–1 |
| Additives
Silicones Colorants Fragrances Preservatives Hydrotropes Polymers Glycerine Stearic acid Propellants Water | 7 | <18 55–65 | 0–0.1 <1 <0.5 0–0.5 80 | 0.5–2 0–1 0–1 10–20 55–65 | <5A* 1–5A* 10–20 60–80 |
A: Composition adopted from Prud’homme de Lodder et al. (2006a)
- *
Liquid products
11.3.1. Furniture polish spray
Furniture polish sprays are available as aerosol cans and trigger sprays.
Scenarios for consumer exposure
The consumer treats a cupboard with a total area of 8 m2 with a spray can containing furniture polish. The sprays are ready-to-use products that are used undiluted. Exposure from mixing and loading is thus not considered (4.1.3). First, the product is sprayed onto the cupboard. During spraying, inhalation exposure is anticipated as airborne droplets entering the breathing zone, while dermal exposure is expected from droplets depositing onto the unprotected skin of the consumer. Next, the polish is rubbed over the cupboard with a cloth. In the case of volatile substances, evaporation from the treated surface during the rubbing activity is not considered, because inhalation exposure to the volatile substances in spray is already covered in the instantaneous exposure estimate for the spraying activity (4.2.2). However, during rubbing dermal exposure is also expected via hand contact with a wetted cloth and due to spills. The treated surface is not accessible to small children, so that secondary exposure is not expected.
Frequency
Furniture polish can be used for maintenance and care or for protection of recently purchased wooden furniture. The frequency for these two uses differs, because polish used for maintenance and care is used in small amounts to treat scratches and other damage, whereas protection requires treatment of the entire piece of furniture. The EPHECT (2012) survey reports sufficient summary data to estimate the 75th percentile for the frequency of using small amounts of furniture polish (5 sprayings). Using the EPHECT data to cumulatively derive a 75th percentile indicates a frequency of ‘once a week’. This is in contrast to the summary data of Garcia-Hidalgo et al. (2017), from which a 75th percentile of ‘once per year’ can be derived. The 75th percentile of Garcia-Hidalgo et al. (2017) typically reflects the use frequency of protection products prescribed by product information (Onderhouders.nl, 2017. The exposure scenario describes the treatment of the entire cupboard. Hence, the summary data of Garcia-Hidalgo et al. (2017) most closely match the described exposure scenario. Therefore, the default frequency is set to once per year. The Q-factor is set to 4, because the dataset of Garcia-Hidalgo is large (n=723) and matches the scenario of consumer exposure.
11.3.1.1. Application: spraying
It is assumed that the application of waxes and polishes to the surface of a floor is similar to that of a cupboard. The model and defaults in section 11.1.3.2 derived for floor spray polishes are therefore also used to estimate the exposures from furniture spray. Inhalation exposure to sprayed particles is estimated using the inhalation–exposure to spray–spraying model. Dermal exposure is estimated using the dermal–direct product contact–constant rate loading model (4.2.1). The defaults for the parameters: mass generation rate, airborne fraction, density non-volatiles and contact rate area are in accordance with the generic scenario (4.2.1). Inhalation exposure to volatile substances in furniture polish sprays is estimated using the inhalation– exposure to spray–instantaneous release model. The defaults for the parameters: exposure duration, room volume, ventilation and inhalation rate described for non-volatiles in furniture polish sprays also apply to volatile substances.
Exposure duration
It is assumed that the consumer will stay in the room after the polishing task. Therefore, the default exposure duration is set to 240 min (4 hours). The Q-factor is set to 1, because the time the consumer remains in the room is based on expert judgement.
Spray duration
The spray duration is calculated from the amount of product that needs to be applied to the surface. It is assumed that the cupboard needs to be treated intensively, so that required product amount per unit of area is equal to that of removing dirt spots or heel marks from wooden floors (11.1.3.2.2). It was assumed that the intensive treatment of a wooden floor (11.1.3.2.2) requires a product amount per unit of area similar to the use of liquid floor polish (11.1.3.2.1). The cupboard is 8 m2 and the product amount of polish liquid per m2 is 20–25 g (11.1.3.1.1), so that a product amount of 200 g spray polish is estimated. The mass generation rate of a furniture polish spray can is 1.8 g/s (see below). Hence, 111 s ≈ 2 min are needed to spray the entire cupboard. The default spray duration is thus set to 2 min. The Q-factor is 2, because the supporting data are limited.
Mass generation rate
Delmaar & Bremmer (2009) experimentally derived the mass generation rate for a spray can with furniture polish. They found a released amount of 18 g from spraying for 10 s. Hence, the mass generation rate is set at 1.8 g/s. The Q-factor is set to 3, because the data were collected specifically in relation to furniture polish but are limited to 5 measurements on 2 samples.
Initial particle distribution
Delmaar & Bremmer (2009) experimentally derived the particle size distribution of droplets released by a spray can containing furniture polish. They found a lognormal distribution with a median of 10.8 µm and a C.V. of 0.81. The default initial particle distribution is set accordingly. The Q-factor is set to 3, because the data were collected specifically in relation to furniture polish but are limited to 5 measurements on 2 samples.
Released mass
Released mass is interpreted here as the product amount that is sprayed out of the bottle or can, which has already been estimated to be 200 g (spray duration, see above). The Q-factor is set to 2, because the supporting data are limited.
Table 11.24:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to furniture polish spray during application
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | ||||
| Frequency | 1 per year | 4 | Garcia-Hidalgo et al., 2017 | |
| Inhalation–exposure to spray–spraying | ||||
| Spray duration1 | 2 min | 2 | See above | |
| Exposure duration2 | 240 min | 1 | See above | |
| Room volume2 | 20 m3 | 4 | Unspecified room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) | |
| Room height1 | 2.5 m | 4 | Standard room height (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) | |
| Ventilation rate2 | 0.6 per hour | 3 | Unspecified room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) | |
| Mass generation rate1 | 1.8 g/s | 3 | Delmaar & Bremmer, 2009 | |
| Airborne fraction 1 | 0.2 | 3 | Section 4.2.1 | |
| Density non-volatile1 | 1.8 g/cm3 | 3 | Section 4.2.1 | |
| Initial particle distribution | 10.8 µm | 3 | Delmaar & Bremmer, 2009 | |
| Median1 (C.V.) 1 | (0.81) | |||
| Inhalation cut-off diameter1 | 15 µm | 3 | Delmaar & Schuur, 2016 | |
| Inhalation–exposure to spray–instantaneous release | ||||
| Released mass3 | 200 g | 2 | See above | |
| Dermal–direct product contact–constant rate loading | ||||
| Exposed area | 2200 cm2 | 3 | Section 4.2.1 | |
| Contact rate | 46 mg/min | 3 | Section 4.2.1 | |
| Release duration | 4 min | 1 | Twice the spray duration (4.2.1) | |
1: Applies to non-volatile substances only
2: Applies to both volatile and non-volatile substances
3: Applies to volatile substances only
11.3.1.2. Application: polishing
In addition to dermal exposure from the deposition of sprayed aerosols to the skin of the consumer, dermal exposure by hand contact while rubbing the surface is expected. The dermal–direct product contact– instant application loading model is used to estimate dermal exposure via hand contact.
Product amount – dermal
It is assumed that the consumer accidentally touches the treated furniture with one palm (225 cm2). In order to be conservative it is assumed that dermal exposure is to the entire amount of product that is on the interface between the surface of the furniture and that of the consumer’s hand. Hence, the amount of product per m2 applied to the furniture is equal to the amount per m2 on the palm of the hand of the consumer. For furniture polish spray the default product amount subject to dermal exposure is thus calculated as 25 g/m2 x 225 cm2 = 0.56 g. The Q-factor is set to 1, because of the assumption that the product amount per m2 of treated surface is equal to the amount per m2 of exposed area.
Table 11.25:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to furniture polish spray during rubbing
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 1 per year | 4 | Garcia-Hidalgo et al., 2017 |
| Dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading | |||
| Exposed area Product amount | 225 cm2 0.56 g | 3 1 | Palm (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) See above |
11.3.2. Furniture polishing liquid
Scenarios for consumer exposure
The consumer treats a large cupboard with a total area of 22 m2 with undiluted liquid furniture polish in the living room. First, the product is applied to a cloth and then it is rubbed on the cupboard. Inhalation exposure is anticipated as volatile substances evaporate from the treated surface. Dermal exposure is expected due to spills and via hand contact while rubbing with a wetted cloth. The treated surface is not accessible to small children, so that secondary exposure is not expected.
11.3.2.1. Application: polishing
It is assumed that surface treatment with liquid furniture polish is comparable to surface treatment with liquid floor polish (11.1.3.1). The molecular weight matrix is the exception here, as it is product-specific and differs from floor polishes. The scenario of inhalation exposure from treating a floor or item of furniture with liquid polish products is in accordance with the generic scenario for surface treatment (4.2.2). Hence, to estimate the expected inhalation exposure the inhalation– exposure to vapour–evaporation–increasing release area model is used. The scenario for dermal exposure, however, differs from the generic scenario, because the product is used in undiluted form and applied to the floor with a squeeze bottle. Here, the dermal–direct product contact– instant application loading model is used (11.1.3.1).
Exposure duration
It is assumed that the consumer will stay in the room after the cleaning task. Therefore, the default exposure duration is set to 240 min (4 hours). The Q-factor is set to 1, because the time the consumer remains in the room is based on expert judgement.
Molecular weight matrix
The most commonly used liquid solvent in liquid furniture polish is turpentine (Table 11.23). Assuming that the other solvents have a molecular weight comparable to that of turpentine (136 g/mol) the weight fraction of solvents in the product is characterized as 0.51 (Table 11.23). The molecular weight matrix of furniture polish is then calculated as 136 / 0.5 = 272 g/mol. The Q-factor is set to 2, because the data supporting the calculation are limited.
Table 11.26:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to furniture polishing liquid during polishing
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 1 per year | 4 | Garcia-Hidalgo et al., 2017 |
| Inhalation–exposure to vapour–evaporation–increasing release area | |||
| Exposure duration | 240 min | 1 | See above |
| Product amount | 550 g | 2 | Section 11.1.3.1 |
| Room volume | 58 m3 | 4 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Ventilation rate | 0.5 per hr | 3 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Release area | 22 m2 | 1 | Scenario |
| Application duration | 90 min | 2 | 11.3.1.1 |
| Application temperature | 20 °C | 4 | Room temperature |
| Mass transfer coefficient | 10 m/h | 2 | Section 4.2.2 |
| Molecular weight matrix | 272 g/mol | 2 | See above |
| Dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading | |||
| Exposed area Product amount | 225 cm2 0.55 g | 3 1 | Hand palms (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) Section 11.1.3.1 |
11.3.3. Leather maintenance spray
Leather products are used to protect and clean leather surfaces in furniture and fabrics. EPHECT (2012) data show that just over one-third (35%) of the European population uses leather and textile coatings less than once a month, while 27% use them once or twice a month, 24% use them once or more a week, and 5% use them daily. The products are mostly used in the living room (56%) and 45% is for use on leather furniture and interior decorations. The most often used formats for leather maintenance products are sprays (45%) and cream (33%).
Scenarios for consumer exposure
The consumer uses a spray can to treat a leather sofa (5.5 m2) in the living room. Spray cans are ready-to-use products that are used undiluted. Exposure from mixing and loading is thus not considered (4.1.3). First, the product is sprayed onto the sofa. During spraying, inhalation exposure is anticipated as airborne droplets enter the breathing zone, while dermal exposure is expected from droplets depositing onto the unprotected skin of the consumer. After spraying, the consumer leaves the furniture spray to dry and stays in the room. Evaporation from the treated surface during the rubbing activity is not considered, because inhalation exposure to the volatile substance in spray is already covered in the exposure estimate for the spraying activity (4.2.2). Additional dermal exposure can be expected, if the consumer is accidentally touches the treated sofa. It is expected that the consumer keeps small children away from the treated surface, so that secondary exposure is not considered.
Frequency
Maintenance sprays are used 1 to 3 times a week according to AISE (2009). However, product information for maintenance of leather advises to spray the product every 2 to 3 months for intensive use parts such as seats and elbow rests (HG, 2005). Based on the product information, the default is set at 5 times per year. The Q-factor is 1, because the supporting data (product information) are limited.
11.3.3.1. Application: spraying
The scenario of spraying a sofa with leather maintenance spray is in accordance with the generic scenario for spray applications (4.2.1). The inhalation–exposure to spray–spraying model estimates the inhalation exposure and the dermal–direct product contact–constant rate model estimates the dermal exposure. Inhalation exposure to volatile substances in furniture polish sprays is estimated using the inhalation–exposure to spray–instantaneous release model. The defaults for the parameters: exposure duration, room volume, ventilation and inhalation rate described for non-volatiles in leather maintenance sprays also apply to volatile substances.
Exposure duration
It is assumed that the consumer will stay in the room after the cleaning task. Therefore, the default exposure duration is set to 240 min (4 hours). The Q-factor is set to 1, because the time of consumer spends in the room is based on expert judgement.
Mass generation rate
Leather maintenance sprays are available as trigger sprays and aerosol spray cans. The respective generic mass generation rates are 1.6 and 1.2 g/s. The defaults are thus set accordingly. The Q-factor is 3, because the supporting quantitative data were not specifically collected in relation to leather maintenance sprays. Rather, the data were generically collected in relation to trigger sprays and aerosol spray cans.
Spray duration
The spray duration is calculated from the mass generation rate and the amount of leather maintenance spray that is required to treat the sofa. According to product information, a spray can of 300 ml will treat 10-15 m2, and the density of a leather maintenance spray is 0.66 g/ml (HG, 2016). The amount of product required to treat a sofa of 5.5 m2 is thus (5.5 m2 / 10 m2) x (300 ml x 0.66 g/ml) = 109 g. A trigger spray generates 1.6 g/s, so that the time required to spray 109 g is 68 s; for an aerosol spray can this is 90 s. The default spray durations are set accordingly. The Q-factor is 2, because the supporting data (based on product information) are limited.
Release duration
Release duration refers to the amount of time during which the skin is into contact with deposited aerosols. It is interpreted here as the gross spraying duration, which is equal to the duration of the spraying task including breaks between spraying activity. The previous Cleaning Products Fact Sheet (Prud’homme de Lodder et al., 2006a) prescribes a release duration of 3 min, assuming that half of the time the consumer is actually spraying and half of the time the consumer takes a break to prepare for spraying. The default for release duration remains 3 min. The Q-factor is 2, because the default partially depends on quantitative data but these are compromised by the expert judgement assumption that the consumer takes a break for half of the time.
Initial particle distribution
It is assumed that the particle size distribution of a leather maintenance spray is comparable to that of furniture polish. Therefore, the default median particle diameter is set to 10.8 µm with a C.V. of 0.81 based on the report of Delmaar & Bremmer (2009). The Q-factor is set to 2, because the data informing the particle distribution comprise only one sample that was not specifically leather maintenance spray but furniture polish.
Released mass
Released mass is interpreted here as the product amount that is sprayed from the bottle or can, which has already been estimated to be 109 g (see above, spray duration). The Q-factor is set to 2, because the supporting data are limited.
Table 11.27:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to leather maintenance spray during application
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
| General | |||
| Frequency | 5 per year | 2 | Product information |
| Inhalation–exposure to spray–spraying | |||
| Spray duration | |||
| 68 s | 3 | See above |
| 90 s | 3 | See above |
| Exposure duration2 | 240 min | 1 | See above |
| Room volume2 | 58 m3 | 4 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Room height1 | 2.5 m | 4 | Standard room height (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Ventilation rate2 | 0.5 per hour | 3 | Living room (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) |
| Mass generation rate | |||
| 1.6 g/s | 3 | Section 4.2.1 |
| 1.2 g/s | 3 | Section 4.2.1 |
| Airborne fraction1 | 0.2 | 3 | Section 4.2.1 |
| Density non-volatile1 | 1.8 g/cm3 | 3 | Section 4.2.1 |
| Initial particle distribution | 10.8 µm | 2 | Delmaar & Bremmer, 2009 |
| Median1 (C.V.)1 | (0.81) | ||
| Inhalation cut-off diameter1 | 15 µm | 3 | Delmaar & Schuur, 2016 |
| Inhalation–exposure to spray- instantaneous release | |||
| Released mass3 | 109 g | 2 | See above |
| Dermal–direct product contact–constant rate loading | |||
| Exposed area | 2200 cm2 | 3 | Section 4.2.1 |
| Contact rate | |||
| 46 mg/min | 3 | Section 4.2.1 |
| 100 mg/min | 3 | Section 4.2.1 |
| Release duration | 3 min | 2 | See above |
1: Applies to non-volatile substances only
2: Applies to both volatile and non-volatile substances
3: Applies to volatile substances only
11.3.3.2. Application: rubbing-in
While rubbing the leather maintenance spray into the sofa, the consumer may experience dermal exposure by touching the treated surface with the inside of the hand. The dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading model is used to estimate the dermal exposure via hand contact.
Product amount
It is assumed that the consumer accidentally touches the treated sofa with one palm (225 cm2). In order to be conservative, it is assumed that exposure is to the entire amount of product that is on the interface between surface of the sofa and that of the consumer’s hand. Hence, the amount of product per m2 applied to the furniture is equal to the amount per m2 on the palm of the hand of the consumer. It was explained earlier (11.3.3.1) that it takes 109 g to treat a sofa of 5.5 m2, so that the product amount per unit of area is 19.8 g/m2. The product amount subject to dermal exposure is then calculated as 19.8 g/m2 x 225 cm2 = 0.45 g. The default product amount is set to 0.45 g. The Q- factor is set to 1, because of the assumption that the product amount per m2 on the treated surface is equal to the amount per m2 on the exposed skin.
Table 11.28:
Default values for estimating consumer exposure to leather maintenance spray during rubbing-in
| Default value | Q-factor | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||
| Frequency | 5 per year | 2 | Product information |
| Dermal–direct product contact–instant application loading | |||
| Exposed area Product amount | 225 cm2 0.45 g | 3 1 | Hand palms (Te Biesebeek et al., 2014) See above |
- Floor, carpet and furniture products - Cleaning Products Fact Sheet: Default par...Floor, carpet and furniture products - Cleaning Products Fact Sheet: Default parameters for estimating consumer exposure: Updated version 2018
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