Respirable Dust and Crystalline Silica (Quartz) Exposure Resulting from Potato Harvesting Operations

Sand-based products are regularly used as footing material on indoor equestrian arenas, creating a potential occupational exposure risk for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) for equestrian workers training and exercising horses in these environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate an equestrian worker’s personal RCS and respirable dust (RD) exposure. Sixteen personal full-shift RD measurements were collected from an equestrian worker and analysed for RD, quartz and cristobalite. Geometric mean exposures of 0.12 mg m−3 and 0.02 mg m−3 were calculated for RD and RCS concentrations, respectively. RCS exposures of between 0.01 to 0.09 mg m−3 were measured on days when the indoor arena surface was not watered, compared to lower exposures (<LOD-0.03 mg m−3) on days when the indoor arena was watered (p < 0.01); however, manual watering is time intensive and less likely to be implemented in practice. This small-scale study provides new data on RCS and RD exposures among equestrian workers. RCS exposures are within the range considered to be associated with increased risk for lung cancer. The use of dust control solutions such as water suppression should be promoted for equestrian work in horse riding arenas. Equestrian workers need to receive occupational health training on the health risks associated with RCS exposure.

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An Evaluation of an Aftermarket Local Exhaust Ventilation Device for Suppressing Respirable Dust and Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust from Powered Saws

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene ◽

10.1080/15459624.2014.955182 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. D200-D207 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Alberto Garcia ◽

Erica Jones ◽

Alan S. Echt ◽

Ronald M. Hall

Keyword(s):

Crystalline Silica ◽

Respirable Dust ◽

Local Exhaust Ventilation ◽

Silica Dust ◽

Exhaust Ventilation

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Evaluation of Occupational Exposure to Silica Dust in Mining Workers in Eastern Iran

The Open Environmental Research Journal ◽

10.2174/1874213001912010001 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Farideh Golbabaei ◽

Abdollah Gholami ◽

Gholamheidar Teimori-Boghsani ◽

Mehdi Yaseri ◽

Mojtaba Kianmehr

Keyword(s):

Occupational Safety ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Silica Content ◽

Crystalline Silica ◽

Respirable Dust ◽

Breathing Zone ◽

Mining Operations ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Silica Dust ◽

Free Silica

Background and Objective: Silica dust is present in almost all mining operations and can cause various health problems such as silicosis in workers. The present study aimed to determine the total and respirable dust levels and the crystalline silica content of the soil in the breathing zone of workers in Iranian mines. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2016-2017 on six Iranian silica mines. Dust sampling was performed according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) method No. 0600. The samples were collected from the respiratory zone of workers at 114 stations in different units of the mines. The silica content was measured using the standard NIOSH method No. 7601. The crystalline silica content in bulk samples collected from the soil was determined by using the X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy method. Results: The highest concentration of crystalline silica dust was 2.81±0.49 mg/m3 and was observed in the air of crushing unit of mine no. 6, and the lowest was 0.08±0.208 mg/m3 and was measured in the management/administration unit of mine no.1. The mean silica content in the solid surface of the mines was 91%. The total and respirable dust levels in all units of the mines except management/administration were higher than the permissible limit. The free silica content of all collected samples was substantially higher than the permissible limits, and in some cases, it was as much as 100 times above the standard level, which reflects the extremely high risk of working in these mines. Conclusion: Exposure of workers with crystalline silica dust in all units was higher than the standard recommended limits. It is imperative to adopt immediate measures based on technical, managerial, and personal protection solutions to reduce the exposure of workers to silica.

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In-depth survey report: control of respirable dust and crystalline silica from grinding concrete at Messer Construction, Newport, Kentucky and Baker Concrete Construction, Dayton, Ohio.

10.26616/nioshephb24721 ◽

2002 ◽

Keyword(s):

Crystalline Silica ◽

Respirable Dust ◽

Concrete Construction ◽

Survey Report

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

10.21203/rs.2.17039/v1 ◽

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.

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