Development of mathematical model using group contribution method to predict exposure limit values in air for safeguarding health

Abstract

Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) are representing the amount of a workplace health hazard that most workers can be exposed to without harming their health. In this work, a new Quantitative Structure Property Relationships (QSPR) model to estimate occupational exposure limits values has been developed. The model was developed based on a set of 100 exposure limit values, which were published by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). MATLAB software was employed to develop the model based on a combination between Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and polynomial models. The results showed that the model is able to predict the exposure limits with high accuracy, R2 = 0.9998. The model can be considered scientifically useful and convenient alternative to experimental assessments.