A Screening Model for Predicting Concentrations of Volatile Organic Chemicals in Shower Stall Air

A simple equilibrium model was developed to predict maximum possible concentrations of volatile organic chemicals that may occur in shower stall air from the use of contaminated water during a showering event. Data was compiled from four previous studies for which vapor concentrations of contaminants in experimental shower stalls were measured. Peak concentrations reported in these experiments were compared to model-predicted concentrations. The behavior of the model suggests that it would be useful as a screening tool for estimating maximum concentrations of volatile organic chemicals in shower stall air, arising from the use of contaminated water during a showering event. Example calculations of shower water criteria to protect against unacceptable inhalation exposures indicated that at times these criteria were lower than drinking water Maximum Contaminant Levels or other criteria based on ingestion of the water.This research was supported through the New Jersey A-280 Drinking Water Research Fund