A Pilot Study: The UNC Passive Aerosol Sampler in a Working Environment
ConclusionsParticle mass concentrations appear to be underestimated by the UNC sampler compared to impactors, more so for PM2.5 than for PM10. CT may be preferred as a collection surface because the blank values were lower and less variable than for PC. Future validations in the working environment should include respirable dust sampling. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - August 5, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Surveillance and Analysis of Occupational Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in the Paris Region
ConclusionsOccupational carbon monoxide poisoning is reported less frequently than domestic poisoning and has different and more numerous causes. It can be potentially severe, especially when it is caused by internal combustion engine equipment. Information about risks, compliance with instructions and cleaning rules, and establishment of collective and individual protective equipment would significantly reduce the frequency and severity of carbon monoxide poisoning. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - August 3, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Comparing the Advanced REACH Tool ’s (ART) Estimates With Switzerland’s Occupational Exposure Data
AbstractThe Advanced REACH Tool (ART) is the most sophisticated tool used for evaluating exposure levels under the European Union ’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of CHemicals (REACH) regulations. ART provides estimates at different percentiles of exposure and within different confidence intervals (CIs). However, its performance has only been tested on a limited number of exposure data. The present study compares ART’s estimates with exposure measurements collected over many years in Switzerland. Measurements from 584 cases of exposure to vapours, mists, powders, and abrasive dusts (wood/stone...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - August 3, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Wipe Sampling Method and Evaluation of Environmental Variables for Assessing Surface Contamination of 10 Antineoplastic Drugs by Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry
AbstractThis paper describes a novel wipe sampling and high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method capable of simultaneously detecting 10 antineoplastic drugs (5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, methotrexate, vindesine, ifosfamide, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, vinblastine, docetaxel, and paclitaxel). The good overall recoveries and sensitivity values of this method along with the comparatively short run time (8 min) allows for its use in routine monitoring in health care facilities. The long-term behavior of the studied drugs on contaminated surfaces and the effect of surface roughness o...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - August 3, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
How Accurate and Reliable Are Exposure Models?
In this issue of theAnnals of Work Exposures and Health, several authors report on the validation of exposure assessment models. Since the introduction of the European regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH; European Parliament, 2006), various risk/exposure assessment tools have been developed and are currently widely used for chemical safety assessments. Between the start of the REACH Registration period in 2008 and September 2014, around 40000 substance dossiers had been submitted to ECHA. As noted by George Box in 1987 ‘essentially, all models are wrong, but some are ...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - August 3, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Monitoring Surface Contamination by Antineoplastic Drugs in Italian Hospitals: Performance-Based Hygienic Guidance Values (HGVs) Project
This study showed that 83 out of 349 samples were positive in Pharmacies, this proportion being statistically significant (χ2 = 42.9,p< 0.001). The positive samples provided evidence of at least one substance with levels greater than the limit of detection (LOD). The two most frequently detected substances were Pt (42%) and CP (30%). These accounted for 72 per cent of the whole dataset, followed by 5-FU and GEM. Based on the 90th percentile of wipe sampling data distribution, we suggest hygienic guidance values (HGVs) of 3.6, 1.0, 0.9, and 0.5 ng cm−2 for CP, 5-FU, GEM and Pt, respectively, as the best target levels ...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - August 2, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
A Method to Quantitatively Assess Dermal Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds
In this study, we developed a sensitive methodology based on activated charcoal cloth (ACC) to quantitatively assess skin exposure to 181 VOCs. The majority of the VOCs (156) showed a constant desorption efficiency (DE) of ~100% over the studied concentration range. Seven VOCs showed a concentration dependency for the DEs, which we described by a Dubinin –Raduskevich desorption isotherm. For 18 compounds, the DEs were situated below 80% but showed to be constant over the concentration range. All tested VOCs showed a good storage stability on ACC, especially at −80°C storage. Only for n-pentane there was a decrease of ...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - July 29, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Comprehensive Biological Monitoring to Assess Isocyanates and Solvents Exposure in the NSW Australia Motor Vehicle Repair Industry
AbstractUrethane products that contain isocyanates are extensively used in the motor vehicle repair (MVR) industry and other industries such as furniture and cabinet-making as two-pack spray paints, clears, and adhesives. Attention has recently been refocussed on isocyanate-containing chemicals, particularly in paints. The spray painters in the MVR industry had a propensity to develop industrial asthma at a rate 80 times higher than the general public, which was previously reported in the UK. To track workers exposure to isocyanates, urine samples were collected from 196 spray painters who worked mainly in 78 MVR shops acr...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - July 29, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Validation of the dermal exposure model in ECETOC TRA
In this study, solid substances used in liquid products were treated as liquids with negligible volatility. The results indicate that the ECETOC TRA dermal exposure model performs equally well for these substances as for liquids. There were suggestions of a difference in performance of the model between solids and liquids.For several parts of the ECETOC TRA dermal model, no or hardly any measured dermal exposure data were available. Therefore, gathering of more dermal exposure levels is recommended, specifically for situations not yet sufficiently covered in the present data set. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - July 25, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Temporal Trends in Airborne Dust Concentrations at a Large Chrysotile Mine and its Asbestos-enrichment Factories in the Russian Federation During 1951 –2001
ConclusionsIn this analysis of>90000 dust concentrations, factory dust concentrations declined between 1951 and 1979 and then stabilized. In the mine, dust levels increased in the 1960s, declined in the 1990s and were unchanged in the interim. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - July 24, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Blue-Light Hazard From Gas Metal Arc Welding of Aluminum Alloys
ConclusionsIt is very hazardous to view the arcs in GMAW of aluminum alloys. Welders and their helpers should use appropriate eye protection in arc-welding operations. They should also avoid direct light exposure when starting an arc-welding operation. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - July 21, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Exhaled Breath Condensate: A Novel Matrix for Biological Monitoring to Assess Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica
AbstractBiological monitoring (BM) is a useful way of determining overall exposures to chemical substances; however, in the case of respirable crystalline silica (RCS), this has not been analytically feasible in conventional biological matrices. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) as a potential biological matrix in which to determine exposure to RCS. A small pilot study was undertaken collecting EBC from six quarry workers and six occupationally unexposed persons; the samples were analysed using both single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS)...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - July 21, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Atopy as a Modifier of the Relationships Between Endotoxin Exposure and Symptoms Among Laboratory Animal Workers
ConclusionIn this occupational cohort, atopic workers may be more susceptible to, and non-atopic workers protected from, endotoxin-associated upper and lower respiratory symptoms. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - July 20, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
The Characterization of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Northeastern US Trucking Terminals
In conclusion, key predictors of tPAH, AS, and tPAH/AS within the trucking industry are work location (in particular truck cabs and terminal docks) and terminal characteristics (size). The association of tPAH and tPAH/AS with EC concentrations in dockwor kers and pick-up and delivery drivers is consistent with occupational exposure attributable to vehicle exhaust. Therefore, measurement of tPAH, AS, and tPAH/AS to characterize ultrafine particles and bound PAH concentrations provide additional information regarding exposures in the trucking industry not captured by integrated measures by EC, OC, and PM2.5. (Source: Annals ...
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - July 20, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
Validation of Lower Tier Exposure Tools Used for REACH: Comparison of Tools Estimates With Available Exposure Measurements
ConclusionsThis is the most comprehensive evaluation of the performance of REACH exposure tools carried out to date. The results show that, although generally conservative, the tools may not always achieve the performance specified in the REACH guidance, i.e. using the 75th or 90th percentile of the exposure distribution for the risk characterisation. Ongoing development, adjustment, and recalibration of the tools with new measurement data are essential to ensure adequate characterisation and control of worker exposure to hazardous substances. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)
Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene - July 18, 2017 Category: Occupational Health Source Type: research
