Which is a practical engineering control to contain solvent vapors at the source?

Which is a practical engineering control to contain solvent vapors at the source?

• A. Substitution of solvent with a less toxic option
• B. Personal protective equipment
• C. Administrative controls
• D. Local exhaust ventilation at the source

Answer: (D)

Capturing vapors at the emission point is the most direct engineering approach to keep solvent vapors out of the breathing zone. Local exhaust ventilation places a hood right at the source, pulls the vapors into ducts, and vents them away from workers, effectively removing the contaminant before it disperses into the room. This setup directly contains and removes the vapor where it’s produced, lowering both exposure and environmental release. Substitution reduces the hazard by using a less risky solvent, which is good but doesn’t actively capture vapors at the source. Personal protective equipment protects the worker but doesn’t reduce the amount of vapor in the air. Administrative controls change how work is done or when it’s done, but again they don’t physically remove vapors at the emission point. Local exhaust ventilation is the engineering control that best fits the requirement of containing vapors at the source.

Capturing vapors at the emission point is the most direct engineering approach to keep solvent vapors out of the breathing zone. Local exhaust ventilation places a hood right at the source, pulls the vapors into ducts, and vents them away from workers, effectively removing the contaminant before it disperses into the room. This setup directly contains and removes the vapor where it’s produced, lowering both exposure and environmental release.

Substitution reduces the hazard by using a less risky solvent, which is good but doesn’t actively capture vapors at the source. Personal protective equipment protects the worker but doesn’t reduce the amount of vapor in the air. Administrative controls change how work is done or when it’s done, but again they don’t physically remove vapors at the emission point. Local exhaust ventilation is the engineering control that best fits the requirement of containing vapors at the source.