Concentrations and Size Distribution of Inhalable and Respirable Dust Among Sugar Industry Workers

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 967-979 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pornpun Sakunkoo ◽  
Naesinee Chaiear ◽  
Chalermchai Chaikittiporn ◽  
Steven Sadhra
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Diseases ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Sugar Industry ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Respirable Dust ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Engineering Designs ◽  
Inhalable Dust ◽  
High Concentrations

There has been very limited information regarding bagasse exposure among workers in sugar industries as well as on health outcomes. The authors determined the occupational exposure of sugar industry workers in Khon Kaen to airborne bagasse dust. The size of the bagasse dust ranged from 0.08 to 9 µm with the highest size concentration of 2.1 to 4.7 µm. The most common size had a geometric mean diameter of 5.2 µm, with a mass concentration of 6.89 mg/m3/log µm. The highest mean values of inhalable and respirable dust were found to be 9.29 mg/m3 from February to April in bagasse storage, 5.12 mg/m3 from May to September, and 4.12 mg/m3 from October to January. Inhalable dust concentrations were 0.33, 0.47, and 0.41 mg/m3, respectively. Workers are likely to be exposed to high concentrations of bagasse dust and are at risk of respiratory diseases. Preventive measures, both in the form of engineering designs and personal protective devices, should be implemented.

scholarly journals Exposure Assessment To Inhalable And Respirable Dust In The Post-Earthquake Construction Sites In The City Of L’aquila 

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riccardo Mastrantonio ◽  
Angela Civisca ◽  
Tamara Lippolis ◽  
Enrica Inglese ◽  
Eugenio Siciliano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Crystalline Silica ◽  
Dust Concentration ◽  
Respirable Dust ◽  
Construction Sites ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Silica Dust ◽  
Work Tasks ◽  
Inhalable Dust ◽  
The City

Abstract Following an earthquake occurred in the middle Italy in 2009, the involved territory hosted in ten years thousands of construction sites. The aim of this study is to assess the chemical exposure of the construction workers involved in the reconstruction of the city. To assess the exposure we collected 91 air samples to quantify the occupational exposure to airborne dusts and free crystalline silica dusts. Six construction companies joined the study and hosted the air sampling activities. We identified 4 work tasks: bricklayer and similar; scaffolder and carpenter; manual demolition; other tasks. Personal air sampling was performed by using the SKC AirCheck XR5000 sample pumps. Respirable dust and respirable crystalline silica dusts were collected by using a GS-3 Cyclones and 25 mm PVC filters; inhalable dust was collected by using a I.O.M. sampler and 25 mm PVC filters. The analyses were carried out by using gravimetric determination. Sampling time varied from 4 to 8 hours. The geometric mean values of inhalable dust concentration for the work tasks was: 3,65 mg/m 3 for scaffolder and carpenter; 18,16 mg/m 3 for manual demolition workers; 8,76 mg/m 3 for bricklayer and similar; 6,33 mg/m 3 for other work tasks. The geometric mean values of respirable dust concentration for the work tasks was: 0,67 mg/m 3 for scaffolder and carpenter; 0,92 mg/m 3 for manual demolition workers; 0,72 mg/m 3 for bricklayer and similar; 0,45 mg/m 3 for other work tasks. About the Crystalline Free Silica dust exposure, the average concentration in mg/m 3 was: 0,0038 for manual demolition workers, 0,0057 for scaffolder and carpenter, 0,004 for bricklayer and similar, 0,0035 for other tasks. The comparison of the results shows that manual demolition workers are exposed to considerably high levels of inhalable dusts, exceeding the ACGIH TLV-TWA limit of 10 mg/m 3 . About the respirable dust concentration, none of the work tasks dust concentration exceeded the ACGIH TLV-TWA limit of 3 mg/m 3 . Measurements of crystalline silica dust have shown levels below the threshold limit value of 0,025 mg/m 3 . This is in line with the average concentrations of respirable dust.

scholarly journals The local antibody response to R.S. virus infection in the respiratory tract

1974 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Scott ◽  
P. S. Gardner
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Respiratory Tract ◽  
Acute Phase ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
High Titre ◽  
Virus Infections ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Neutralizing Activity ◽  
Tract Infections

SUMMARYNasopharyngeal secretions were taken during the acute phase of illness from 66 infants and children admitted to hospital with lower respiratory tract infections. Second secretions were taken, after an interval of 7 days, from 33 of these patients. A significant increase in neutralizing activity to R.S. virus was demonstrated in the nasopharyngeal secretions of patients in response to severe R.S. virus infection. Seventeen out of 25 patients (68%) with R.S. virus infections developed a rise in secretory neutralizing titre, compared with only 1 out of 8 patients (13%) with respiratory infections not involving R.S. virus.A high titre of secretory neutralizing activity was found more often in the acute phase of illness in patients with R.S. virus infections, especially bronchiolitis, than in patients with respiratory infections not involving R.S. virus. Fifteen out of 34 patients (44%) with R.S. virus bronchiolitis were found to possess a neutralizing titre of 1/4 or more in their first secretions, compared with 4 out of 12 patients (33%) with R.S. virus infections other than bronchiolitis and 3 out of 20 patients (15%) with respiratory infections not involving R.S. virus.A quantitative analysis of the immunoglobulins present in the secretions indicated that IgA was the only immunoglobulin consistently present at a detectable concentration. The geometric mean values of IgA, IgM and IgG in the secretions examined were found to be 22·3, 4·3 and 5·3 mg./lOO ml. respectively.The neutralizing activity against R.S. virus, present in the secretions, was shown to be due to specific IgA antibody. This was accomplished by removing the neutralizing activitv in two secretions bv absorotion with anti-IaA serum.

Coal mine dust lung disease in miners killed in the Upper Big Branch disaster: a review of lung pathology and contemporary respirable dust levels in underground US coal mines

2021 ◽  
pp. oemed-2021-107694
Author(s):  
Leonard H T Go ◽  
Francis H Y Green ◽  
Jerrold L Abraham ◽  
Andrew Churg ◽  
Edward L Petsonk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Tissue ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Coal Mines ◽  
Regulatory Compliance ◽  
Respirable Dust ◽  
Lung Pathology ◽  
Histopathological Findings ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Underground Coal Mines ◽  
The Usa

ObjectivesIn 2010, 29 coal miners died due to an explosion at the Upper Big Branch (UBB) mine in West Virginia, USA. Autopsy examinations of 24 individuals with evaluable lung tissue identified 17 considered to have coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP). The objectives of this study were to characterise histopathological findings of lung tissue from a sample of UBB fatalities and better understand the respirable dust concentrations experienced by these miners at UBB relative to other US coal mines.MethodsOccupational pulmonary pathologists evaluated lung tissue specimens from UBB fatalities for the presence of features of pneumoconiosis. Respirable dust and quartz samples submitted for regulatory compliance from all US underground coal mines prior to the disaster were analysed.ResultsFamilies of seven UBB fatalities provided consent for the study. Histopathologic evidence of CWP was found in all seven cases. For the USA, central Appalachia and UBB, compliance dust samples showed the geometric mean for respirable dust was 0.468, 0.420 and 0.518 mg/m3, respectively, and respirable quartz concentrations were 0.030, 0.038 and 0.061 mg/m3. After adjusting for quartz concentrations, UBB exceeded the US permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable dust in 28% of samples.ConclusionsAlthough higher than average respirable dust and quartz levels were observed at UBB, over 200 US underground coal mines had higher dust concentrations than UBB and over 100 exceeded the PEL more frequently. Together with lung histopathological findings among UBB fatalities, these data suggest exposures leading to CWP in the USA are more prevalent than previously understood.

Potential for Single High-Dose Influenza Immunization in Unprimed Children

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 982-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter A. Gross ◽  
Gerald V. Quinnan ◽  
Pureza F. Gaerlan ◽  
Carolyn R. Denning ◽  
Anne Davis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Standard Dose ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
High Dose ◽  
York Metropolitan Area ◽  
Reaction Index ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Sibling Control ◽  
High Concentrations

High concentrations of split-product vaccine (SPV) are more immunogenic than lower concentrations. These studies were verified with another influenza strain, B/Singapore/22/79. Two ether-treated SPVs were compared in 80 children and young adults. The vaccine strains were influenza A/Bangkok/79, A/Brazil/78, and B/Singapore /79; 44 patients received a high-dose SPV containing 7, 7, and 60 µg each of the respective hemagglutinins (HA) and 36 received a standard dose SPV containing 7, 7, and 7 µg of HA, respectively. Among persons initially seronegative by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) tests, the geometric mean titer (GMT) in 15 recipients of one high dose was 97 vs GMT of 37 in 18 recipients of one standard dose (P < .05). Furthermore, 87% of high-dose recipients had HAI titer ≥ 40 vs 44% of standard dose recipients. In initially seropositive persons, GMT in 29 recipients of one high dose was 170 vs GMT of 84 in 18 recipients of one standard dose (P < .05). Immune response to the other two virus strains was comparable for the two vaccines. The reaction index for the high dose vaccine was 0.70 vs 0.45 for the standard dose (P = NS). An A/Bangkok epidemic struck the New York metropolitan area. The attack rate in unvaccinated matched sibling control subjects was 35% (15/43). There were no vaccine failures. In conclusion, in the small number of patients studied, a 60-µg HA dose of B/Singapore/79 was significantly more immunogenic than a standard 7-µg HA dose without an increase in reactogenicity.

scholarly journals Measurements in a highly polluted Asian mega city: observations of aerosol number size distribution, modal parameters and nucleation events

2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Mönkkönen ◽  
I. K. Koponen ◽  
K. E. J. Lehtinen ◽  
K. Hämeri ◽  
R. Uma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Size Distribution ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Geometric Standard Deviation ◽  
Modal Parameters ◽  
Number Size Distribution ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Rural Sites ◽  
Aitken Mode

Abstract. Diurnal variation of number size distribution (particle size 3-800nm) and modal parameters (geometric standard deviation, geometric mean diameter and modal aerosol particle concentration) in a highly polluted urban environment was investigated during October and November 2002 in New Delhi, India. Continuous monitoring for more than two weeks with the time resolution of 10min was conducted using a Differential Mobility Particle Sizer (twin DMPS). The results indicated clear increase in Aitken mode (25-100nm) particles during traffic peak hours, but towards the evenings there were more Aitken mode particles compared to the mornings. Also high concentrations of accumulation mode particles (>100nm) were detected in the evenings only. In the evenings, biomass/refuse burning and cooking are possible sources beside the traffic. We have also shown that nucleation events are possible in this kind of atmosphere even though as clear nucleation events as observed in rural sites could not be detected. The formation rate of 3nm particles (J3) of the observed events varied from 3.3 to 13.9cm-3s-1 and the growth rate varied from 11.6 to 18.1nmh-1 showing rapid growth and high formation rate, which seems to be typical in urban areas.

scholarly journals Implementation of Climate-Smart Agriculture to Boost Sugarcane Productivity in Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
Rivandi Pranandita Putra ◽  
Nindya Arini ◽  
Muhammad Rasyid Ridla Ranomahera
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Precision Agriculture ◽  
Sugar Industry ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Agronomic Practices ◽  
Agronomic Management ◽  
The Government ◽  
Smart Agriculture ◽  
Sugarcane Productivity ◽  
Multi Stakeholder

<p>Sugar is one of Indonesia’s strategic commodities, but its production fluctuates over time and is still unable to comply with the national sugar demand. This condition may even get worst with climate change. Although climate-smart agriculture is a promising thing, it is basically a genuine concept for many farmers in Indonesia, including sugarcane growers. The paper briefly reviews and argues agronomic practices as a climate-smart agriculture approach adapted by sugarcane growers in Indonesia to increase its production under the changing climate. Some agronomic practices can be adopted by the Indonesian sugarcane growers as climate-smart agriculture, i.e., efficient irrigation, improved drainage of sugarcane plantations, the use of suitable sugarcane cultivars, green cane harvesting-trash blanketing, the amendment of soil organic matter, crop diversification, precision agriculture, and integrated pest management. From the Indonesian government’s side, research should be propped as there is limited information about the effectiveness of each aforementioned agronomic intervention to alleviating the adverse effect of climate change and to improving sugarcane growth. Practically, to ensure the success of climate-smart agriculture implementation in the Indonesian sugar industry, multistakeholders, i.e., sugarcane growers, researchers, civil society, and policymakers, should be involved, and the government needs to link these stakeholders.</p><p>Keywords: Sugarcane, productivity, climate-smart agriculture, agronomic management, precision agriculture</p><p> </p><p><strong>Abstrak</strong></p><p><strong>Implementasi Pertanian Cerdas Iklim untuk Meningkatkan Produktivitas Tebu di Indonesia</strong></p><p>Gula merupakan salah satu komoditas strategis Indonesia, namun produksinya mengalami fluktuasi dan belum dapat memenuhi kebutuhan gula nasional. Kondisi ini diperburuk oleh perubahan iklim. Pertanian cerdas iklim memberikan peluang besar bagi tanaman tebu untuk dapat beradaptasi dan memitigasi dampak perubahan iklim. Meskipun pertanian cerdas iklim menjanjikan, namun merupakan hal baru bagi banyak petani di Indonesia, termasuk petani tebu. Tulisan ini menelaah dan mengemukakan praktek agronomi sebagai pendekatan pertanian cerdas iklim yang dapat diterapkan petani tebu di Indonesia dengan tujuan meningkatkan produksi tebu di bawah kondisi perubahan iklim. Terdapat beberapa praktik agronomis sebagai bagian dari pertanian cerdas iklim yang dapat diadopsi petani tebu di Indonesia, seperti efisiensi irigasi, perbaikan sistem drainase, pemilihan kultivar tebu yang sesuai, pemanfaatan residu serasah tebu, peningkatan bahan organik tanah, diversifikasi tanaman, pertanian presisi, dan pengelolaan hama terpadu. Dari perspektif pemerintah Indonesia, penelitian harus didukung karena terbatasnya informasi efektivitas masing-masing intervensi agronomi tersebut untuk mengurangi dampak buruk perubahan iklim dan untuk meningkatkan pertumbuhan tebu. Secara praktis, untuk memastikan keberhasilan penerapan pertanian cerdas iklim pada industri gula Indonesia, multi-stakeholder yang terdiri atas petani tebu, peneliti, masyarakat sipil, dan pembuat kebijakan harus saling terlibat dan pemerintah perlu menghubungkan para pemangku kepentingan ini.</p><p>Kata kunci: Tebu, produktivitas, pertanian cerdas iklim, manajemen agronomis, pertanian presisi</p>

scholarly journals Epidemiological manifestations of respiratory system diseases among military personnel of central military region

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 24-34
Author(s):  
Ivan S. Mukhachev ◽  
Irina V. Feldblium ◽  
Dmitriy A. Stolyarov ◽  
Maya Kh. Alyeva
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory System ◽  
Military Personnel ◽  
Respiratory Diseases ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Community Acquired Pneumonia ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Military ◽  
Military Units

Objective. To assess the epidemiological manifestations of the incidence of respiratory system diseases (RSD) among the military personnel of the military units of the Central Military Region. Materials and methods. The morbidity analysis was carried out according to official statistics for 20032019 with an assessment of long-term dynamics, structure and spatial characteristics. Results. Despite the preventive measures taken, the incidence of respiratory diseases in the troops remains high and continues to grow. The conscript servicemen are at risk. In the structure of RSD incidence, acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) take the leading place, tonsillitis and bronchitis are in the second place, and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is in the third place. Differences in the trends of long-term dynamics of morbidity in various clinical forms of RSD were revealed. The Siberian Federal Region is the most favorable regarding RSD incidence. Conclusions. The incidence of respiratory diseases among conscripts is higher than that in contract servicemen, with downward trend for CAP and growth for ARVI and bronchitis.

scholarly journals Lack of evidence of IgE allergic sensitisation from working with lactic acid bacteria in the dairy foods industry

2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 355-357
Author(s):  
Coralie Barrera ◽  
Gabriel Reboux ◽  
Audrey Laboissière ◽  
Laurence Millon ◽  
Anne Oppliger
Keyword(s):  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Lactic Acid Bacteria ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Immunoglobulin E ◽  
Milk Powder ◽  
Medical Practitioner ◽  
Specific Ige ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Ige Response

This research communication aimed to evaluate the level of immunoglobulin E from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that are used in dairy industries. Previous studies have demonstrated that workers report symptoms of irritation and are frequently IgG-sensitised to LAB. Workers (n = 44) from a probiotic production unity and the control lab were seen by a medical practitioner and responded to an occupational questionnaire. Specific IgE by the DELFIA® technique against 6 strains of LAB were measured on 44 exposed workers and 31 controls sera. Levels of specific IgE were low and no difference was observed between the two groups. This lack of IgE response could be explained by a healthy worker effect, an efficient implementation of personal protective equipment or by an absence of allergic mechanisms to account for the self-reported irritative symptoms. Despite the high concentrations of LAB, preventive measures are effective enough to guarantee no allergic effect and to prevent other adverse health effects. The implementation of preventive measures to avoid or reduce exposure to dust of LAB, and more generally to milk powder, is recommended in all dairy industry.

SERUM IMMUNOGLOBULINS: I. LEVELS IN NORMAL CHILDREN AND IN UNCOMPLICATED CHILDHOOD ALLERGY

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1968 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 600-611
Author(s):  
Rebecca H. Buckley ◽  
Susan C. Dees ◽  
W. Michael O'Fallon
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Normal Children ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Serum Immunoglobulins ◽  
Normal Individuals ◽  
Contrast Analysis ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

In 201 normal individuals from infancy to adulthood, serum concentrations of immunoglobulins G, A, and M are presented as geometric mean values (mg/l00 ml) and as percents of adult mean values for each of these proteins. A statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship between age and both IgG and IgA concentrations up to ages 6 and 7 years. No correlation was present between age and immunoglobulin concentrations beyond that time, suggesting that the adult concentrations of IgG and IgA are normally reached and maintained after ages 6 and 7 years. In contrast, analysis of the IgM data suggested that the adult value is reached by age 1 year. No truly significant differences were found in immunoglobulin concentrations which could be attributed to sex. Significantly higher concentrations of IgG were found in normal Negro than in normal Caucasian subjects after age 6 years, but no significant differences were found below this age for IgG or at any age for IgA and IgM. Similarly determined serum immunoglobulins in 85 allergic children, selected because they had no complicating illnesses, were compared with the normal group according to the age of the child. No significant differences were found in concentrations of either IgG or IgA. Some differences were found in IgM, but these were small and were primarily associated with the relationship of IgM to age in the allergic group.

scholarly journals Bronchiectasis and increased mortality in patients with corticosteroid-dependent severe asthma: a nationwide population study

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 175346662096303
Author(s):  
Hayoung Choi ◽  
Hyun Lee ◽  
Jiin Ryu ◽  
Sung Jun Chung ◽  
Dong Won Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Respiratory Diseases ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
The Impact

Background: Long-term corticosteroid (CS) use is associated with increased mortality in patients with asthma, and comorbid bronchiectasis is also associated with frequent asthma exacerbation and increased healthcare use. However, there is limited information on whether bronchiectasis further increases mortality in patients with CS-dependent asthma. This study examined the impact of bronchiectasis on mortality in patients with CS-dependent asthma. Methods: A retrospective cohort of patients with CS-dependent asthma ⩾18 years old was established using records from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database from 2005 to 2015. Patients with CS-dependent asthma with and without bronchiectasis were matched by age, sex, type of insurance, and Charlson comorbidity index. We evaluated the hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality in patients with bronchiectasis compared with those without bronchiectasis. Results: The study cohort included 754 patients with CS-dependent asthma with bronchiectasis and 3016 patients with CS-dependent asthma without bronchiectasis. Patients with CS-dependent asthma with bronchiectasis had a higher all-cause mortality than those without bronchiectasis (8429/100,000 versus 6962/100,000 person-years, p < 0.001). The adjusted HR for mortality in patients with CS-dependent asthma with bronchiectasis relative to those without bronchiectasis was 1.33 (95% confidence interval, 1.18–1.50), and the association was primarily significant for respiratory diseases (subdistribution HR = 1.65, 95% confidence interval, 1.42–1.92). Conclusions: Bronchiectasis further increases all-cause mortality in patients with CS-dependent asthma, a trend that was especially associated with respiratory diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Strategies to improve treatment outcomes in patients with CS-dependent asthma with bronchiectasis are urgently needed to improve long-term survival. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.

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