scholarly journals Exposures to Fumigants and Residual Chemicals in Workers Handling Cargo from Shipping Containers and Export Logs in New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (8) ◽  
pp. 826-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Hinz ◽  
Andrea ’t Mannetje ◽  
Bill Glass ◽  
Dave McLean ◽  
Neil Pearce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Ethylene Oxide ◽  
Methyl Bromide ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Personal Exposures ◽  
Shipping Containers ◽  
High Concentrations

Abstract Objectives Previous studies have reported high concentrations of airborne fumigants and other chemicals inside unopened shipping containers, but it is unclear whether this is reflective of worker exposures. Methods We collected personal 8-h air samples using a whole-air sampling method. Samples were analysed for 1,2-dibromoethane, chloropicrin, ethylene oxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen phosphide, methyl bromide, 1,2-dichloroethane, C2-alkylbenzenes, acetaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, methanol, styrene, and toluene. Additive Mixture Values (AMVs) were calculated using the New Zealand Workplace Exposure standard (WES) and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) of the 8-h, time-weighted average exposure limit. Linear regression was conducted to assess associations with work characteristics. Results We included 133 workers handling shipping containers, 15 retail workers unpacking container goods, 40 workers loading fumigated and non-fumigated export logs, and 5 fumigators. A total of 193 personal 8-h air measurements were collected. Exposures were generally low, with >50% below the limit of detection for most chemicals, and none exceeding the NZ WES, although formaldehyde exceeded the TLV in 26.2% of all measurements. The AMV-TLV threshold of 1 was exceeded in 29.0% of the measurements. Levels and detection frequencies of most chemicals varied little between occupational groups, although exposure to methyl bromide was highest in the fumigators (median 43 ppb) without exceeding the TLV of 1000 ppb. Duration spent inside the container was associated with significantly higher levels of ethylene oxide, C2-alkylbenzenes, and acetaldehyde, but levels were well below the TLV/WES. Exposure levels did not differ between workers handling fumigated and non-fumigated containers. Conclusions Personal exposures of workers handling container cargo in New Zealand were mainly below current exposure standards, with formaldehyde the main contributor to overall exposure. However, as it is not clear whether working conditions of participants included in this study were representative of this industry as a whole, and not all relevant exposures were measured, we cannot exclude the possibility that high exposures may occur in some workers.

scholarly journals O1D.3 Fumigant and chemical residue 8-hour exposures in workers handling cargo from shipping containers and export logs in new zealand

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. A9.3-A10
Author(s):  
Ruth Hinz ◽  
Andrea’t Mannetje ◽  
Bill Glass ◽  
Dave McLean ◽  
Neil Pearce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethylene Oxide ◽  
Methyl Bromide ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Exposure Limits ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Personal Exposures ◽  
Shipping Containers ◽  
Standard Set ◽  
Working Day

BackgroundPrevious studies found elevated concentrations of fumigants and other chemicals in the air of unopened shipping containers, which led to the assumption that workers were likely to be highly exposed. This study assessed personal 8 hour exposures in workers handling cargo from shipping containers or export logs, which were fumigated prior to loading.Methods193 personal 8 hour air samples were collected and analysed for 1,2-dibromoethane, chloropicrin, ethylene oxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen phosphide and methyl bromide, 1,2-dichloroethane, C2-alkylbenzenes, acetaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, methanol, styrene and toluene. Additive Mixture Values were calculated using the Work Exposure (WES) standard set by Worksafe NZ and the Threshold Limit Values (TLV) set by the ACGIH. Linear regression was conducted to assess associations between time spent inside shipping containers and exposure (n=98).ResultsChemical exposures as indicated by median and geometric mean values were low (e.g. 2.5 and 4.4 ppb respectively for methyl bromide) and none exceeded the NZ WES, although formaldehyde exceeded the TLV in 48 (26.2%) samples. The AMV-TLV threshold of 1 was exceeded in 54 (29.5%) samples. Major differences between the occupational groups (container, log and retail workers and fumigators) were not found. Time spent inside the container was significantly and positively associated with ethylene oxide, C2-alkylbenzenes and acetaldehyde, but this was based on a small number of detectable observations (non-detects 52.0%–95.9%) and for one chemical (methyl bromide, n=94) we found inverse associations.ConclusionThis study has shown that personal exposures measured over an 8 hour working day were low, with the exception of formaldehyde, and do not confirm earlier suggestions (based on measurements inside closed containers) that they regularly exceed exposure limits. Association with time spent unloading containers was weak suggesting that exposures may result from short peak exposures rather than continuous low level exposure.

Occupational Toxicology

2002 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Weighted Average ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Average Concentration ◽  
Work Place ◽  
Industrial Workers ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Short Term Exposure

Industrial workers make up the segment of the population that is most vulnerable to chemical injury. To protect them from occupation-related harm, the American Conference of Governmental and Industrial Hygienists publishes annually revised threshold limit values (TLVs) (1), guidelines for permissible chemical exposure at the work place. TLV refers to concentrations of substances in parts per million or milligrams per cubic meter in the air to which most workers can be exposed on a daily basis without harm. These values apply to the work place only. They are not intended as guidelines for ambient air quality standards for the population at large. Obviously, genetic variations and diverse lifestyles (such as smoking, alcohol use, medication, and drug use) must be considered. Hypersensitive individuals may be adversely affected by exposure to certain chemicals even within the limits of the TLV. Thus, TLVs should be treated as guidelines only and not as fixed standards. The recommended goal is to minimize chemical exposure in the work place as much as possible. TLVs are expressed in three ways: 1. Time-weighted average (TLV–TWA) designates the average concentration of a chemical to which workers may safely be exposed for 8 h per day and 5 days per week. 2. Short-term exposure limit (TLV–STEL) designates permissible exposure for no more than 15 min, and no more than four times per day, with at least 60-min intervals between exposures. 3. Ceiling concentrations (TLV–C) are concentrations that should not be exceeded at any time. How protective the TLVs are is being questioned. The 1990 report that analyzed the scientific underpinnings of the TLVs revealed that at the exposure at or below the TLV, only few cases showed no adverse effect (2). In some cases even 100% of those exposed were affected. On the other hand, there was a good correlation between the TLVs and the measured exposure occurring in the work place. Thus, it appears that the TLVs represent levels of contaminants that may be encountered in the work place, rather than protective thresholds. Biological exposure indices (BEIs) provide another way of looking at exposure to chemicals.

Minimizing formaldehyde exposure in a hospital pathology laboratory

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Gabriele d’Ettorre ◽  
Anna Carolia ◽  
Mauro Mazzotta
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Pathology Laboratory ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Short Term Exposure ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Improvement Interventions

BACKGROUND: The safety and health of healthcare workers employed in pathology laboratories and exposed to formaldehyde (FA) is a matter of concern worldwide, as several health effects have been observed in workers resulting from exposure to FA, both short and long-term. OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed to describe the strategy implemented in a hospital pathology laboratory to minimize workers’ exposure to FA through interventions to working environment and workforce. METHODS: The NIOSH 2016 method for detecting gaseous FA was adopted to perform personal and area active sampling of FA. The samples were subsequently analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The exposure to FA was measured before and after improvement interventions. RESULTS: The pre-intervention step showed FA levels exceeding the threshold limit values (TLV) established by ACGIH, both the time-weighted average (TLV-TWA) and short term exposure limit (TLV-STEL); after the improvement interventions, the median concentrations of personal and area FA sampling were respectively of 0.025 ppm (Range = 0.023–0.027) and 0.023 ppm (Range = 0.022–0.028) and significantly lower than pre-intervention step (p <  0.05) and below the TLV-TWA and TLV-STEL established by ACGIH. CONCLUSIONS: In our study the workers’ involvement in the risk management of FA exposure together with engineering improvements revealed a strategic way to minimize the FA pollution in the studied laboratory. Healthcare companies should consider the need to ensure the workers’ participation in the management of occupational hazards, including FA, to reach the goal of healthy workplaces.

675. The carbon dioxide content of New Zealand Cheddar cheese

1957 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. S. Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Concentration ◽  
Cheddar Cheese ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Content ◽  
Single Strain ◽  
Open Texture ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Lower Temperature

Some of the factors influencing the concentration of carbon dioxide found in New Zealand Cheddar cheese have been investigated.1. Cheeses made with the use of commercial starters (containing betacocci) are characterized by a rapid increase in their carbon dioxide content during the 2 weeks following manufacture.2. Cheeses made with the use of single strain starters do not change in carbon dioxide content in the first 2 weeks following manufacture, but may ultimately contain as much carbon dioxide as commercial starter cheeses.3. High concentrations of carbon dioxide within a cheese result in an open texture, especially when the carbon dioxide is formed shortly after manufacture.4. The loss of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere is demonstrated by the existence of a carbon dioxide concentration gradient within the cheese.5. Storage of cheese at a lower temperature than is usual results in retarded carbon dioxide formation.

The Geochemistry and Ecotoxicity of Offshore New Zealand Phosphorites

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Grace Elizabeth Frontin-Rollet
Keyword(s):  
Rare Earth ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Earth Element ◽  
Surficial Sediments ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Sediment Disturbance ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Element Enrichment ◽  
Ree Patterns ◽  
Chatham Rise Phosphorite

<p>The New Zealand offshore seabed hosts diverse resources including phosphate rich rocks. Phosphate rock deposits on the Chatham Rise have been the focus of previous investigations into their composition and mining potential; however, the diversity of the geochemistry of phosphate deposits, including their wider distribution beyond the Chatham Rise, their trace metal budget, and potential for ecotoxicity, remain poorly characterised. This study addresses some of these gaps by presenting a geochemical investigation, including trace metals, for a range of phosphate nodules from across the Chatham Rise, Bollons Seamount and offshore southeastern South Island. Elutriate and reconnaissance bioaccumulation experiments provide insights into the potential for ecotoxic trace metal release and effects on biota should sediment disturbance through mining activities occur.  The bulk chemistry of Bollons Seamount phosphorite nodules have been characterised for the first time, and show significant enrichment in first row transition metals; Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, in addition to Sr, Y, Mo, U, MnO, CaO and P2O5, and depletion in TiO2, Al2O3, MgO, K2O, FeO, SiO2, Sc, Cr, Ga, Rb, Cs, Hf, and Th relative to average upper continental crust. The cores of these nodules are dominated by apatite, quartz and anorthoclase phases, which are cross cut by Mn rich dendrites. The abundant presence of these minerals results in the significant differences in chemistry observed relative to Chatham Rise phosphorite nodules. The nodules also contain a secondary authigenic apatite phase, with a Mn crust rim. Significant rare earth element enrichment (REE) is most likely due to efficient scavenging by the Mn crust, resulting in seawater REE patterns characterised by negative Ce and Eu anomalies and heavy rare earth element enrichment.  The bulk geochemistry of the Chatham Rise and offshore South Island phosphorite nodules is characterised by enrichment in CaO, P2O5, Sr, U, Y, Mo and depletion in TiO2, Al2O3, MnO, MgO, FeO, K2O, Sc, Cr, Cu, Ga, Rb, Cs, Ba, Hf, Ta, Pb and Th relative to average upper continental crust. The low concentrations of Cd in Chatham Rise, offshore South Island, and Bollons Seamount phosphorites make them potentially suitable sources for direct application fertilizers.  The New Zealand marine phosphorite nodule deposits formed by repeated cycles of erosive bottom currents and phosphogenesis, resulting in the winnowing and concentration of the deposits. The iron pump model is proposed as a mechanism for the formation of apatite and associated mineral phases, giving the nodules their characteristic concentric zoning. The migration of the nodules through the oxic, suboxic, and anoxic zones of the sediment profile led to the formation of glaucony, apatite (suboxic zone), goethite (oxic zone), and pyrite with associated U enriched (anoxic zone) minerals. Rare earth elements (REE) in the Chatham Rise phosphorite nodules are associated with the glaucony rim minerals, and indicate that since the formation of the rims, very little diagenesis has occurred, preserving seawater REE patterns characterised by negative Ce and Eu anomalies and heavy REE enrichment. Site specific enrichments in trace elements Ba, V, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Cd and Pb are attributed to either differences in incorporation of material into precursor carbonate e.g. volcanic materials, or higher fluxes of organic matter, delivering high concentrations of essential metals from biota, especially Cu and Zn.  Direct pore water measurements from surficial sediment of the Chatham Rise show high concentrations of dissolved Fe and Mn, along with Cu, indicating suboxic conditions. High Cu concentrations measured in sediment pore water suggest that Cu release requires monitoring should seafloor surficial sediments on the Chatham Rise be disturbed. However, the elutriate experiments were not able to resolve if Cu release by sediment disturbance would exceed Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council (2000) environmental guideline trigger values.  The surrogate amphipod species Chaetocorophium c.f. lucasi shows promise as a biomonitor for disturbed marine sediments. Elements enriched in surficial sediments and phosphorite nodules, Hg, Pb, Fe, U and V, were not observed to bioaccumulate. Site specific differences in chemistry were observed, specifically in the different total relative bioaccumulation of Mo between amphipods exposed to sediments from two different sites. This suggests that future monitoring of chemical release during marine sediment disturbance requires the full geochemical characterisation of the substrate. Furthermore, fresh sediment and deep water should be used for future elutriate experiments, as storage of material by freeze-thawing and/or refrigeration causes mobilisation of some key trace metals such as U, V, Mo, Mn.</p>

scholarly journals Enzyme Method-Based Microfluidic Chip for the Rapid Detection of Copper Ions

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1380
Author(s):  
Binfeng Yin ◽  
Xinhua Wan ◽  
Changcheng Qian ◽  
A. S. M. Muhtasim Fuad Sohan ◽  
Teng Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metal Ions ◽  
Microfluidic Chip ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Copper Ions ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Enzyme Method ◽  
In Series ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Biochemical Detection ◽  
Seawater Samples

Metal ions in high concentrations can pollute the marine environment. Human activities and industrial pollution are the causes of Cu2+ contamination. Here, we report our discovery of an enzyme method-based microfluidic that can be used to rapidly detect Cu2+ in seawater. In this method, Cu2+ is reduced to Cu+ to inhibit horseradish peroxidase (HRP) activity, which then results in the color distortion of the reaction solution. The chip provides both naked eye and spectrophotometer modalities. Cu2+ concentrations have an ideal linear relationship, with absorbance values ranging from 3.91 nM to 256 μM. The proposed enzyme method-based microfluidic chip detects Cu2+ with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.87 nM. Other common metal ions do not affect the operation of the chip. The successful detection of Cu2+ was achieved using three real seawater samples, verifying the ability of the chip in practical applications. Furthermore, the chip realizes the functions of two AND gates in series and has potential practical implementations in biochemical detection and biological computing.

scholarly journals Potential of Passive Sampling and Plant Absorption to Quantify Inhalation Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-56
Author(s):  
Veerapas Na Roi-et ◽  
◽  
Supawat Chaikasem ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Indoor Air Pollution ◽  
Inhalation Exposure ◽  
Hazard Index ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Exposure Limits ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Volatile Organic

Emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from photocopiers was investigated to assess the potential health impacts on inhalation exposure to VOCs. VOCs samples were collected during working hours using SKC VOCs 575 series passive sample. Twenty-one quantified VOCs were measured and analyzed by GC-MS/MS. The results showed that the total VOCs concentration emitted in the photocopy centers A and B were 2.29×104 and 2.32×104 µg/m3, respectively. The highest detected chemical was trans-1,2-Dichloroethene at about 2.18×104 (photocopy center A) and 2.15×104 µg/m3 (photocopy center B (The results reveal that the non-carcinogenic risk for inhalation exposure to m-Xylene, p-Xylene, and trans-1,2-Dichloroethene were in the range 0.94-1.53 and 1.19-1.79 and 51.54-52.23, respectively, resulting in the hazard index (HI) of non-carcinogenic VOCs in total being greater than 1.0. This indicated that the cumulative effects of inhalation exposure to VOCs at low concentrations should be of concern, even though it does not exceed the occupational exposure limits and Threshold Limit Values-Time Weighted Average for the mixtures (TLV-TWAmix). Plants display a greener solution to reduce indoor air pollution. The bio-concentration levels of total VOCs in Epipremnum aureum were noted as 74.71 to 174.42, signifying that E. aureum is effective for removal of VOCs naturally and sustainably.

scholarly journals Effects of communicating uncertainty descriptions in hazard identification, risk characterization, and risk protection

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0253762
Author(s):  
Peter Wiedemann ◽  
Franziska U. Boerner ◽  
Frederik Freudenstein
Keyword(s):  
Hazard Identification ◽  
Qualitative Description ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Qualitative Uncertainty ◽  
Risk Protection ◽  
Uncertainty Information

Uncertainty is a crucial issue for any risk assessment. Consequently, it also poses crucial challenges for risk communications. Many guidebooks advise reporting uncertainties in risk assessments, expecting that the audience will appreciate this disclosure. However, the empirical evidence about the effects of uncertainty reporting is sparse and inconclusive. Therefore, based on examples of potential health risks of electromagnetic fields (EMF), three experiments were conducted analysing the effects of communicating uncertainties separately for hazard identification, risk characterisation and risk protection. The setups aimed to explore how reporting and how explaining of uncertainty affects dependent variables such as risk perception, perceived competence of the risk assessors, and trust in risk management. Each of the three experiments used a 2x2 design with a first factor presenting uncertainty descriptions (as used in public controversies on EMF related health effects) or describing a certainty conditions; and a second factor explaining the causes of uncertainties (by pointing at knowledge gaps) or not explaining them. The study results indicate that qualitative uncertainty descriptions regarding hazard identification reduce the confidence in the professional competencies of the assessors. In contrast, a quantitative uncertainty description in risk characterisation–regarding the magnitude of the risk–does not affect any of the dependent variables. Concerning risk protection, trust in exposure limit values is not affected by qualitative uncertainty information. However, the qualitative description of uncertainty regarding the adequacy of protection amplifies fears. Furthermore, explaining this uncertainty results in lower text understandability.

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