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.

Occupational Exposure Risk for Swine Workers in Confined Housing Facilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvin C. Alvarado ◽  
Bernardo Z. Predicala
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Sulfide ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Respirable Dust ◽  
Exposure Risk ◽  
Exposure Limits ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Short Term Exposure ◽  
Swine Workers ◽  
Time Weighted Average

Abstract. Extended exposure of swine barn workers to noise and airborne contaminants has been reported to be associated with various health problems. In this study, the actual exposure of workers to respirable dust, gases (ammonia and hydrogen sulfide), and noise in swine production operations was monitored in order to determine the contribution of specific activities in the barn to potential adverse health impacts to swine workers. Selected workers in a swine barn facility were outfitted with a personal monitoring system that included a respirable dust sampler, ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas monitors, and a noise dosimeter as they performed their regular duties during their workday. From a total of 50 monitoring days spanning winter and summer months, results showed that the occupational exposure of swine workers to respirable dust, NH3, H2S, and noise while performing their daily assigned tasks was generally below the respective time-weighted average exposure limits for each hazard. However, a number of tasks showed high likelihood for elevated occupational exposure risk. Respirable dust concentrations exceeded the time-weighted average limit of 3 mg m-3 while feeding and weighing pigs. These activities also exceeded the short-term exposure limit (35 ppm) for NH3. Dangerous levels of H2S were generated when draining manure from manure collection pits in the production rooms. Noise levels exceeded the recommended 15 min exposure limit (100 dBA) when weighing and loading pigs for market. The occupational exposure risks for workers to barn contaminants can be reduced through measures that control the generation of contaminants at their source, by removing generated contaminants from the work environment, as well as by outfitting the workers with protective devices that prevent personal exposure to contaminants. Keywords: Ammonia, Barn worker, Dust, Hydrogen sulfide, Noise, Occupational exposure, Risk, Swine.

Nitroethane Documentation of proposed values of occupational exposure limits (OELs)

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (1(91)) ◽  
pp. 97-113
Author(s):  
Andrzej Sapota ◽  
Małgorzata Skrzypińska-Gawrysiak ◽  
ANNA KILANOWICZ
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
The Body ◽  
Exposure Level ◽  
Occupational Exposure Limits ◽  
Exposure Limits ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Cellulose Esters ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Short Term Exposure

Nitroethane is a colorless oily liquid with a mild fruity odor. It is used mainly as a pro-pellant (e.g., fuel for rockets), and as a solvent or dissolvent agent for cellulose esters, resins (vinyl and alkyd) and waxes, and also in chemical synthesis.Occupational exposure to nitroethane may occur during the process of its production and processing. There are no data on air concentra-tions of nitroethane in occupational exposure. In 2010–2015, workers in Poland were not exposed to nitroethane concentrations exceed-ing the maximum allowable value – 75 mg/m3 (the limit value valid since 2010).Nitroethane can be absorbed into the body via inhalation of its vapors or by ingestion.The discussed cases of nitroethane acute poi-soning caused by an accidental ingestion of artificial fingernail remover containing pure nitroethane concerned children under three years. Few hours after ingestion, cyanosis and sporadic vomiting were observed in children. The methemoglobin level reached 40÷50%.Neither data on chronic nitroethane poisoning in humans nor data obtained from epidemio-logical studies are available.On the basis of the results of acute toxicity studies nitroethane has been categorized in the group of hazardous compounds. However, eye and dermal irritation or allergic effects have not been evidenced. The studies of sub-chronic (4 and 90 days) and chronic (2 years) exposure to nitroethane per-formed on rats and mice (concentration range 310 ÷ 12 400 mg/m3) revealed the methemo-globinogenic effect of this compound and a minor damage to liver, spleen, salivary gland and nasal turbinates.Niroethane has shown neither mutagenic nor carcinogenic effects. Its influence on fertility has not been evidenced either. After chronic exposure (2 years) of rats to ni-troethane at concentration of 525 mg/m3 (the lowest observed adverse effect level – LOAEL), a slight change in a body mass of exposed fe-male animals and subtle changes in biochemi-cal parameters were observed, but there were no anomalies in hematological and histopatho-logical examinations.The value of 62 mg/m3 has been suggested to be adopted as the MAC value for nitroethane after applying the LOAEL value of 525 mg/m3 and relevant coefficients of uncertainty. The STEL value for nitroethane was proposed ac-cording to the methodology for determining short term exposure level value for irritating substances as three times MAC value (186 mg/m3) to prevent the effects of sensory irri-tations in humans. Because of its methemoglo-binogenic effect, 2% Met-Hb has been suggest-ed to be adopted as the value of biological ex-posure index (BEI), like the value already adopted for all methemoglobinogenic sub-stances.The Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits (SCOEL) proposed the time-weighted average (TWA) for nitroethane (8 h) as 62 mg/m3 (20 ppm), short-term exposure limit (STEL, 15 min) as 312 mg/m3 (100 ppm) and “skin” notation.Proposed OEL and STEL values for nitroethane were subjected to public consultation, con-ducted in 2011 by contact points, during which Poland did not raise any objections to the pro-posals. The proposed values for nitroethane by SCOEL has been adopted by the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work UE (ACSH) and included in the draft directive establishing the IV list of indicative occupa-tional exposure limit values.

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 &gt;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.

Use of Methanol as a Coolant During Machining of Aluminum in a Shipbuilding Environment: A Failure to Assess and Manage Risk

2014 ◽  
Vol 955-959 ◽  
pp. 1061-1064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Neil McManus ◽  
Assed N. Haddad
Keyword(s):  
Weighted Average ◽  
Threshold Limit Value ◽  
Breathing Zone ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Limit Value ◽  
Diffusion Tubes ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Long Duration ◽  
Short Term Exposure ◽  
Time Weighted Average

Minimization of harm during the conduct of work is one of the most important tenets of industrial hygiene. Organizations make changes to solve perceived problems. What appears to be expedient for solving a problem can create serious risks totally unrecognized by the proponent. This investigation reports on such a situation involving the use of methanol as a lubricant during machining of aluminium panels using a router. Spot samples for methanol were measured using colorimetric detector tubes and samples of long duration by colorimetric diffusion tubes utilizing similar chemistry. Both were positioned in the breathing zone. Most of the spot samples exceeded the 8-hour TLV-TWA (Threshold Limit Value-Time-Weighted Average) of 200 ppm and the TLV-STEL (Short-Term Exposure Limit) of 250 ppm. The two long duration samples also exceeded the TLV-TWA. A change in the operation prevented collection of additional long duration samples. By these measures, workers were overexposed to methanol during this activity. An additional serious consequence from use of methanol in this manner was risk of fire. This situation illustrates the complexity of decisions affecting workplace operations. What appears to be expedient for solving a problem may be totally inappropriate.

scholarly journals Measurement of Diacetyl and 2,3-Pentanedione in the Coffee Industry Using Thermal Desorption Tubes and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-425
Author(s):  
Ian Pengelly ◽  
Hannah O’Shea ◽  
Gordon Smith ◽  
Marie A Coggins
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Gas Chromatography ◽  
Thermal Desorption ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Short Term Exposure ◽  
Coffee Shops

Abstract Diacetyl is a potentially harmful chemical that is used as an artificial flavouring in the food industry and may also be generated during processing of some natural products including coffee. In Europe, an 8-h time weighted average occupational exposure limit (TWA-OEL) of 20 ppb has been adopted for diacetyl, together with a short-term exposure limit (STEL) of 100 ppb. A new measurement method involving sampling on thermal desorption tubes and analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry has been used to investigate potential exposure to diacetyl, and the related compound 2,3-pentanedione, at eight companies involved in the coffee industry including large- and small-scale manufacturers and coffee shops. A total of 124 static and personal samples were collected. In the majority of personal samples airborne concentrations of diacetyl were <5 ppb, with those at coffee shops generally <1 ppb. However, diacetyl concentrations in ~40% of the long-term personal samples, mainly originating from one site, were found to be in excess of the newly adopted European TWA-OEL of 20 ppb. Diacetyl concentrations up to 400 ppb were detected on the static samples, with the highest values occurring during grinding of roasted coffee beans. 2,3-Pentanedione was also detected in most of the samples at airborne concentrations around half of those for diacetyl. A significant number of other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were also detected at sub-ppm concentrations, including acetoin, aliphatic carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones and esters, methylfuran, furfural and furfuryl-based alcohols and ketones, and nitrogen containing compounds, such as pyridines and pyrazines. In laboratory tests, diacetyl emissions generated during heating of whole beans were found to be significantly lower than those from heating the same beans after grinding. Diacetyl emissions from both ground and whole beans were also found to be significantly dependent on temperature.

scholarly journals AltrexChimie, a Web Application for the Management and the Interpretation of Occupational Exposure Measurements to Chemical Substances

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 3375
Author(s):  
Frédéric Clerc ◽  
Andrea Emili ◽  
Gautier Mater
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Data Management ◽  
Web Application ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Chemical Substances ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Similar Exposure Groups

In most occupational settings, several chemical agents are commonly found, and the associated exposure risk for workers must be assessed. For this purpose, air samples can be collected and analyzed. AltrexChimie is a web application that helps industrial hygienists in the organization of the air sampling strategy and in the subsequent phases of data management, analysis, and communication. AltrexChimie contains a database of more than 550 chemical substances and their respective French Occupational Exposure Limit Values (OELV): Custom OELVs can also be defined by the user. AltrexChimie helps with the definition of key features of the sampling strategy, in particular by promoting a methodology for the design of Similar Exposure Groups (SEGs). Once measurement data are entered, they can be analyzed to obtain exposure diagnostics. Data management features allow for the easy storage and retrieval of measurements, and comprehensive dashboards help industrial hygienists (IHs) in the communication of results. Finally, with AltrexChimie it is also possible to assess exposure to multiple chemical substances and their additive effects. While most free software applications for the assessment of chemical exposure focus on the statistical computation of specific indicators, AltrexChimie offers several tools to assist IHs in the exposure assessment workflow.

Comparative Assessment of Formaldehyde Concentrations in Public and Private Mortuaries in Rivers State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Obed-Whyte, Roland ◽  
K. E. Douglas ◽  
O. Akaranta
Keyword(s):  
Weighted Average ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Skin Contact ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Short Term Exposure ◽  
Gas Detector ◽  
Rivers State

Introduction: Formaldehyde is an industrial chemical that is classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC). It is commonly use in mortuaries for the preservation (embalmment) of the dead in Rivers State. Mortuary workers are occupationally exposed to formaldehyde by inhalation and skin contact. This objective/aim of the study was to measure and compare the concentration of formaldehyde in public and private mortuaries of Rivers State, Nigeria. Methodology: This cross-sectional (field) survey was carried out in 9 public and 6 private mortuaries in Rivers State. The Time-Weighted Average (TWA) and short- Term Exposure Limit (STEL) of formaldehyde concentrations in the embalmment sections of the mortuaries were measured using a suitable formaldehyde gas detector instrument. The mortuaries were selected by a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected, entered and analyzed using XL STATA and SPSS and presented in tables and graphs. Results: The mean TWA concentration of formaldehyde in public and private mortuaries was 2.42+-1.77 and 2.52+-0.99 ppm respectively. Also, the STEL concentration measured in public and private mortuaries were 0.91+-0.99 and 1.93+-1.22 ppm. The 8 hour TWA values exceeded OSHA (0.75) and NIOSH (0.016 ppm) standards. Conclusion: There was a high concentration of formaldehyde in both public and private mortuaries which may pose high risk to the health of the mortuary workers of Rivers State. The study recommended health education and surveillance among mortuary workers and good engineering design in the mortuary.

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