Validation of krypton as a new tracer gas for the standardization tests of collective and individual protection systems
AbstractSulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is the reference tracer gas in many international standards for characterizing respiratory protective devices (RPD), fume cupboards, building ventilations, and other installations. However, due to its significant impact on global warming, its use is becoming increasingly restrictive. Krypton 84 (Kr) was chosen to be a possible replacement based on theoretical and practical criteria for the properties that a substitute gas should possess. While compliance with these criteria is generally sufficient to guarantee the reliability of the choice, it is essential in the case of widespread use suc...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - November 30, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Exposure to airborne mycotoxins: the riskiest working environments and tasks
ConclusionsResults brought forward by this review can be utilized by health and safety professionals to recognize activities in which workers may be potentially exposed to airborne mycotoxins and thus undertake suitable preventive and protective measures. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - November 28, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
A cross-sectional study on occupational exposure to microorganisms, endotoxin, hydrogen sulfide, and dust during work at drilling waste treatment plants
In conclusion, across the drilling waste treatment plants, human pathogens were present in the drilling waste, and workers ’ exposure was affected by the drilling waste treated at the plants with elevated exposure to endotoxin and bacteria. Elevated exposure was related to working as apprentices or chemical engineers, and working with cleaning, or slop water, and working in the daytime. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - November 23, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Occupational risk assessment of glutaraldehyde through personal air monitoring in a hospital setting
This study evaluated the magnitude of exposure associated with the use of glutaraldehyde in healthcare workers across various work areas of a first level of Hospital-Based Care in Colombia. Workers were classified into similar exposure groups (SEGs) based on work areas and tasks performed, and airborne concentrations of glutaraldehyde were measured in different work areas of each SEG through direct monitoring. The 95th percentile of glutaraldehyde concentrations in all SEGs studied exceeded the TLV-C immediately after use. Cleaning workers and nurses had the highest exposures to glutaraldehyde. Results indicate that worker...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - November 10, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Exposure hazards from continuing use and removal of asbestos cement products
AbstractAsbestos cement (AC) is used in water pipes, roofing, exterior siding, water tanks, cooling towers, and other applications. Although the global market for asbestos is slowly shrinking, AC products continue to dominate the remaining uses in many countries. This review focuses on asbestos exposures during the installation, maintenance, and ultimate removal of these materials. This assessment summarizes the available published and unpublished reports of airborne asbestos exposures during the cutting and removal of AC pipes, roofing, sheets, and cooling tower components and the range of exposures associated with the mo...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - November 9, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
The intensity and duration of occupational noise exposure and cardiovascular disease in the United States: a nationally representative study, 2015 to 2020
ConclusionsIncreased risk of CVD is associated with occupational noise exposure, particularly at higher intensities and longer durations. Policies and interventions for noise mitigation at workplaces are warranted, targeting individuals with chronic exposure to high-level noise. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - November 6, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Q fever infection is a preventable risk associated with pet food manufacturing
ConclusionThese cases demonstrate the increased risk of Q fever infection as part of the pet food manufacturing process, highlighting an underappreciated preventable occupational risk, which can be mitigated with the use of pre-screening and vaccination of workers. All occupations should conduct workplace-based risk assessments to identify risks such as Q fever to prevent adverse negative health outcomes. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - November 6, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
A decoupling method to compute near field and far field exposure concentrations
AbstractIn the near field/far field (NF/FF) dispersion construct, the analytical solutions for the NF and FF concentration equations, respectively denotedCNF(t) andCFF(t) in mg/m3, are coupled in their mathematical derivation. Depending on the form of the contaminant emission rate functionG(t) (mg/min), derivingCNF(t) andCFF(t) can range from being relatively easy to impossible. A method is presented to more easily approximate these concentration functions. The method decouples the NF and FF equations by treating the NF as an isolated well-mixed space with volumeVNF (m3) and supply/exhaust airflow rateβ(m3) and treating t...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - November 3, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Concentrations of respirable crystalline silica and radon among tanzanite mining communities in Mererani, Tanzania
ConclusionThe tanzanite SSM in Mererani we highly exposed to RCS, which increases the risk of pulmonary diseases, including silicosis, tuberculosis, and pulmonary malignancies. Immediate action by OSHA Tanzania should be enforcement of wearing respirators by all miners throughout the working hours. Health education programmes to the SSM must be strengthened and OSHA Tanzania should adopt the 0.05 mg/m3 PEL, and enforce other occupational health and safety measures, including regular use of dust suppression mechanisms (water spray and wet drilling) and monitoring of RCS exposures among SSM. Monitoring of radon exposure both...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - October 12, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Prevention of COVID-19 in workers: preparation, precaution, and protection
AbstractIn May 2023 the World Health Organization (WHO) Director General announced the “end” of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Although the scale of the pandemic was unprecedented in living memory, it had not been unforeseen. Previous outbreaks of viral respiratory disease have shown important lessons regarding the need to protect healthcare workers (HCW), and research has also been undertaken into the relative effectiveness of control measures and their resource implications. Relevant guidance for worker protection, including HCW protection, which existed at the onset of the COVID-19 pa...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - September 30, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
An approach to quantify ortho-phthalaldehyde contamination on work surfaces
This study aimed to develop a standardized approach for sample collection and quantitative determination of OPA from work surfaces for use in risk assessment practices. The reported method utilises readily available commercial wipes to collect surface samples coupled with direct detection of OPA via liquid chromatography time of flight mass spectrometry (LC –ToF–MS). This approach avoided complex derivatization steps commonly required for the analysis of aldehydes. Method evaluation was conducted in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) surface sampling guidelines. Overall recoveries ...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - July 12, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Inhalation and dermal exposure to biocidal products during foam and spray applications
ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this study presents the first comparative exposure data for the foam and spray application of biocidal products in occupational settings with detailed contextual information. The results indicate a reduction of inhalation exposure with foam application compared to spray application. However, special attention is necessary for dermal exposure, which is not reduced by this intervention. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - July 8, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Correction to: How do Effort, Reward, and Their Combined Effects Predict Burnout, Self-rated Health, and Work-family Conflict Among Permanent and Fixed-term Faculty?
Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare10.13039/501100006636 (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - July 8, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Using a smartphone application to capture daily work activities: a longitudinal pilot study in a farming population
ConclusionsOur study demonstrated feasibility and good compliance in collecting longitudinal activity data over 6 months using smartphones in a relatively homogeneous population of farmers. We captured most of the farming day and observed substantial heterogeneity in activities, highlighting the need for individual activity data when characterizing exposure in farmers. We also identified several areas for improvement. In addition, future evaluations should include more diverse populations. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - June 29, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Determinants of respirable crystalline silica exposure in construction in western Canada
AbstractTask-based respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure monitoring data was collected from construction work sites across 3 Canadian provinces: Alberta, British Columbia (BC), and Manitoba. In total 373 RCS samples were obtained from 70 worksites across 44 companies. Sampling was conducted between May 2015 and August 2020. The overall geometric mean (GM) RCS exposure was 0.045 mg/m3 (geometric standard deviation, GSD = 6.8). Alberta had the highest average exposure and the highest variability with GM of 0.060 mg/m3 (GSD = 9.3), the GM in BC was 0.044 (GSD = 4.3), and in Manitoba the GM was 0.033 (GSD = 7.0). A mult...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - June 22, 2023 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
