scholarly journals Work Category Affects the Exposure to Allergens and Endotoxins in an Animal Facility Laboratory in Italy: A Personal Air Monitoring Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (16) ◽  
pp. 7220
Author(s):  
Simona Di Renzi ◽  
Alessandra Chiominto ◽  
Anna Maria Marcelloni ◽  
Paola Melis ◽  
Maria Cristina Riviello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Expert Committee ◽  
Average Dose ◽  
Breathing Zone ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Fel D 1 ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Biological Mixtures

Scientists and technicians who work in contact with laboratory animals are exposed to complex biological mixtures from animals, bedding and feed. The main objective of this study was to characterize the exposures to endotoxins and animal allergens in a biomedical research institution located in Central Italy by means of air sampling in the breathing zone of the staff during daily work activities. Forty-two inhalable dust samples were collected for endotoxins and allergens analysis. Filter extracts were analyzed using a Kinetic-QCL LAL kit for endotoxins; ELISA assays were performed for Mus m 1, Rat n 1, Can f 1, Fel d 1 and Equ c 4 detection. Laboratory animal attendants (LAAs) showed endotoxin concentrations significantly higher (4.59 ng/m3) than researchers (0.57 ng/m3), researchers working only in an office (0.56 ng/m3) and technicians (0.37 ng/m3). Endotoxin concentrations exceeding the recommended occupational exposure limit proposed by the Dutch Expert Committee on Occupational Safety were found in the case of two subjects in the animal attendants category. With regards to rat and mouse allergens, a higher average dose was found for mouse than rat allergens. Also for these bio-contaminants, the LAAs are confirmed as the work category at higher risk of exposure (15.85 ng/m3), followed by technicians (10.67 ng/m3), researchers (2.73 ng/m3) and researchers in an office (0.08 ng/m3). Fel d 1 was also detected (average: 0.11 ng/m3) highlighting a passive transport between living and occupational settings. Our data could be useful to improve the control and preventive measures, ensuring lower levels of allergens and endotoxins in animal facilities.

Survey on an acute occupational poisoning event caused by simple asphyxiating gas

2020 ◽  
pp. 30-33
Author(s):  
L. Huang ◽  
Ya. Lai ◽  
Yi. Yang
Keyword(s):  
Hydrochloric Acid ◽  
Oxygen Content ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Safety Training ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Conflict Of Interests ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Gas Poisoning ◽  
Injured Patients

Objective. To provide a basis for the effective prevention of the same type of poisoning events through analyzing the causes of an occupational acute simple asphyxiating gas poisoning incident.Method. Descriptive epidemiological method was used to investigate the related personnel of the poisoning incident, detect poisonous and harmful gases in the air of the scene, and collect and analyze the clinical data of patients.Result. The poisoning incident led to 1 death and 2 poisoning. All of them were male. The dead patient was 38 years old, and two injured patients were 37 and 31 years old, respectively. The day after the accident, the contents of phenol, toluene, hydrochloric acid and oxygen were determined in the reactor where the accident occurred. The results showed that the maximum concentration of phenol, toluene and hydrochloric acid (CM) was 0/m3 , which did not exceed the occupational exposure limit of harmful factors in the workplace stipulated by GBZ2.1–2007. Also, the oxygen content was 10.0%, which was lower than the oxygen content in normal air.Conclusion. This is an acute simple asphyxiating gas poisoning incident caused by the employing unit managers and operators’ weak awareness of occupational hygiene and safe operation. The employing unit managers and operators should strengthen occupational safety training, strictly implement the occupational health management system, and prevent such incidents.Funding. Th e study had no funding.Conflict of interests. The authors declare no conflict of interests.

scholarly journals Thermal Condition and Air Quality Investigation in Commercial Airliner Cabins

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7047
Author(s):  
Nu Yu ◽  
Yao Zhang ◽  
Mengya Zhang ◽  
Haifeng Li
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Pressure Change ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
The Us ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

Cabin air quality and thermal conditions have a direct impact on passenger and flight crew’s health and comfort. In this study, in-cabin thermal environment and particulate matter (PM) exposures were investigated in four China domestic flights. The mean and standard deviation of the in-cabin carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in two tested flights are 1440 ± 111 ppm. The measured maximum in-cabin carbon monoxide (CO) concentration is 1.2 ppm, which is under the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit of 10 ppm. The tested relative humidity ranges from 13.8% to 67.0% with an average of 31.7%. The cabin pressure change rates at the end of the climbing stages and the beginning of the descending stages are close to 10 hPa·min−1, which might induce the uncomfortable feeling of passengers and crew members. PM mass concentrations were measured on four flights. The results show that PM concentrations decreased after the aircraft cabin door closed and were affected by severe turbulences. The highest in-cabin PM concentrations were observed in the oldest aircraft with an age of 13.2 years, and the waiting phase in this aircraft generated the highest exposures.

scholarly journals Surgical Team Exposure to Cautery Smoke and Its Mitigation during Tonsillectomy

2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (3) ◽  
pp. 508-516
Author(s):  
Daniel C. O’Brien ◽  
Eun Gyung Lee ◽  
Jhy-Charm Soo ◽  
Sherri Friend ◽  
Sarah Callaham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Methylene Chloride ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Chemical Compounds ◽  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
Breathing Zone ◽  
Surgical Smoke ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Exposure Levels ◽  
Prospective Case Series

Objectives To assess the exposure of surgical personnel to known carcinogens during pediatric tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) and compare the efficacy of surgical smoke evacuation systems during T&A. Study Design Prospective, case series. Setting Tertiary children’s hospital. Subjects and Methods The present study assessed operating room workers’ exposure to chemical compounds and aerosolized particulates generated during T&A. We also investigated the effect of 3 different smoke-controlling methods: smoke-evacuator pencil cautery (SE), cautery with suction held by an assistant (SA), and cautery without suction (NS). Results Thirty cases were included: 12 in the SE group, 9 in SA, and 9 in NS. The chemical exposure levels were lower than or similar to baseline background concentrations, with the exception of methylene chloride and acetaldehyde. Within the surgical plume, none of the chemical compounds exceeded the corresponding occupational exposure limit (OEL). The mean particulate number concentration in the breathing zone during tonsillectomy was 508 particles/cm3 for SE compared to 1661 particles/cm3 for SA and 8208 particles/cm3 for NS cases. NS was significantly different compared to the other two methods ( P = .0009). Conclusions Although the exposure levels to chemicals were considerably lower than the OELs, continuous exposures to these chemicals could cause adverse health effects to surgical personnel. These findings suggest that the use of a smoke-evacuator pencil cautery or an attentive assistant with handheld suction would reduce exposure levels to the aerosolized particles during routine T&A, compared to the use of cautery without suction.

scholarly journals Vapor Compounds Released from Nicotine-Free Inhalators as a Smoking-Cessation Aid

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 2232
Author(s):  
Ho-Seok Kwak ◽  
Jung-Yeol Han ◽  
Gideon Koren ◽  
Sang-Hee Jo ◽  
Ki-Hyun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Inhalation Exposure ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Sensory Irritation ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Effect Level

The health risks of cigarette smoking have been reported to increase continuously, while it is estimated to be responsible for the death toll of more than seven million people globally each year. In an effort to reduce the risk involved in cigarette smoking, nicotine-free inhalators have been developed as smoking-cessation aids. To evaluate the feasibility of nicotine-free inhalators in such respect, we investigated the composition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from the consumption of nicotine-free inhalators of which major components include natural essential oils and traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. Vapor samples from nicotine-free inhalators were generated and collected for analysis using an e-cigarette auto-sampler. The vapor samples were captured onto a multi-bed sorbent tube sampler and a 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) cartridge for the quantitative analysis with the aid of thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. A total of 29 VOCs were determined in vapor samples at concentrations below 0.2 ppm. Concentrations of (+)-isomenthone and acrolein slightly exceeded the derived no-effect level (DNEL) or sensory irritation level. However, VOCs were below the concentration exposure limit, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). According to our study, most of the aroma compounds and VOCs released from nicotine-free inhalator were lower than the DNEL or sensory irritation level. Consequently, it is found that nicotine-free inhalators could be safe to use in reference to toxic guidelines for inhalation exposure. However, if the use of nicotine-free inhalators is over prolonged period, it can also increase the risk of exposure to potentially toxic compounds.

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

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Assessment of Worker Exposure to Occupational Organic Dust in a Hemp Processing Facility

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (7) ◽  
pp. 745-753
Author(s):  
Melinda Gardner ◽  
Sue Reed ◽  
Maggie Davidson
Keyword(s):  
Cannabis Sativa ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Respirable Dust ◽  
Dust Exposure ◽  
Breathing Zone ◽  
Organic Dust ◽  
Code Of Practice ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Processing Facility ◽  
Personal Sampling

Abstract The cultivation and processing of industrial hemp, Cannabis sativa L., is a developing industry in Australia. Exposure to hemp dust is demonstrated as producing reactive and respiratory health effects, potentially causing permanent lung disease or damage. The aim of this study was to assess the airborne organic dust concentrations generated in an Australian hemp processing facility. Personal sampling, in the breathing zone of exposed workers was undertaken for exposure to respirable dust, along with parallel static sampling for airborne concentrations of inhalable and respirable dust fractions. Both static and personal sampling showed that respirable dust concentrations (mg m−3) exceeded the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH) recommended maximum exposure limit of 1 mg m−3 (respirable fraction) for dusts not otherwise specified, with mean exposures (mg m−3) of M = 1.33, standard deviation (SD) = 1.09 (range 0.07–3.67 mg m−3) and M = 4.49, SD = 4.49 (range 0.77–11.08 mg m−3). The results of the investigation indicate that workers in the hemp processing industry are at risk of developing permanent and disabling respiratory disease due to high dust exposure. There is no Australian occupational exposure limit specifically for hemp dust. It is recommended further research is needed and industry-specific guidance material or model code of practice developed to effectively control exposures.

Respiratory Protection Provided by Negative Pressure Half Mask Filtering Respirators in Coal Mines

2018 ◽  
Vol 277 ◽  
pp. 232-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergiy Cheberiachko ◽  
Olena Yavors’ka ◽  
Dmytro Radchuk ◽  
Andrii Yavorskyi
Keyword(s):  
Negative Pressure ◽  
Occupational Diseases ◽  
Coal Mines ◽  
Dust Concentration ◽  
Respiratory Protection ◽  
Breathing Zone ◽  
Sampling System ◽  
Total Dust ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Low Efficiency

Two studies were conducted in the coal mines to evaluate worker exposures to a dust, and the effectiveness of air-purifying negative-pressure half mask respirators and was found that miners’ protection were insufficient. An elastomeric and filtering half-mask negative pressure respirators with (mid-efficiency) filters P2 (FFP2) were studied. Measurements of total dust concentrations in the in-mask and outer air were conducted simultaneously. Not identical sampling system led to an underestimation of the actual total inside dust concentration in the first study. The results have been corrected to reduce the systematic error. The inside total dust concentrations Ci exceeded national Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) in most cases in both studies; in first GM Ci=24.7 mg/m3; in second 8.6 mg/m3. Protection factors were: from 2.9 to 6.9 in first study; and from 5.6 to 34 in second. Low efficiency of respirators can be caused by its non-continuous usage. High risk of miners’ occupational diseases should be reduced by decreasing the dust concentration in the breathing zone. It is advisable to check the possibility of improving respiratory protection of miners by powered air-purifying respirators.

Welding Fume Exposure among Welders in Small Size Welding Workshops in Malaysia

2013 ◽  
Vol 465-466 ◽  
pp. 1292-1296
Author(s):  
Azian Hariri ◽  
Abdul Mutalib Leman ◽  
Mohammad Zainal M. Yusof
Keyword(s):  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Welding Fumes ◽  
Inductively Coupled ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Steel Material ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Welding fumes has both acute and long term chronic hazards. Small size welding workshops often have the drawback in health and safety consciousness. This study is conducted to investigate the personal welding fumes exposure among welders in small size welding workshop. Two workshops were selected to represent a very small welding workshop (2 workers) and a medium workshop (8 workers). The main activities in these workshops were metal inert gas welding (MIG) process onto mild steel material. Welding fumes was sampled for 8 hours and analyze by the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results of the study showed that only iron element existed notably in time weighted average (TWA) 8 hours calculation for both workshops. However, welding fumes exposure for both workshops were well below the permissible exposure limit (PEL) as stated in the Use and Standards of Exposure of Chemical Hazardous to Health regulation (USECHH) 2000 under the Malaysian Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994.

scholarly journals ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ГОСТРОЇ ТА ХРОНІЧНОЇ ТОКСИЧНОСТІ ЕКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНОГО ПРЕПАРАТУ «МЕВЕСЕЛ-ІН’ЄКЦІЙНИЙ»

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-180
Author(s):  
B. Gutyj ◽  
M. Paska ◽  
N. Levkivska ◽  
R. Pelenyo ◽  
N. Nazaruk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Average Dose ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Internal Organs ◽  
Accumulation Coefficient ◽  
Short Time ◽  
Increased Activity ◽  
Toxicity Criteria ◽  
Total Average

<p>The results of study of toxicity of the newly created «Injectable Mevesel» during acute and chronic experiments are presented. There were no lethal cases at intragastric and intramuscular injections, only short-time inhibition of laboratory animals receiving the drug at a dose of 10.0 ml was observed. There were no lethal cases of test animals during the experiment in the conditions of study of accumulation properties of «Injectable Mevesel». Total average dose of the drug administered made up 162500 mg/kg, and accumulation coefficient was respectively 5.3.<br />In the study of morphological blood parameters of rats after intramuscular injection of «Injectable Mevesel» in increasing doses, probable increase in neutrophils count by 36.1%, and probable reduction in lymphocytes count by 15.2% were found.<br />Administration of the drug in increasing doses significantly affects the functional state of internal organs of experimental animals (liver) and causes significant degradation of the membranes of hepatocytes, as evidenced by increased activity of intracellular ALT, AST enzymes and alkaline phosphatase.<br />Therefore, new domestic drug «Injectable Mevesel» created by us belongs to class 4 toxicity criteria, i.e. low-toxic substances.</p>

scholarly journals Cancer Risk Assessment for Workers Exposed to Pollution Source, a Petrochemical Company, Iran

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahram HARATI ◽  
Seyed Jamaleddin SHAHTAHERI ◽  
Hossein Ali YOUSEFI ◽  
Ali HARATI ◽  
Ali ASKARI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Risk Analysis ◽  
Petrochemical Industry ◽  
Occupational Safety ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Occupational Safety And Health ◽  
Breathing Zone ◽  
Acceptable Standard ◽  
Safety And Health

Background: Air pollution have led to severe problem of adverse health effect in the world. This study aimed to conduct the health risk assessment, cancer risk analysis, and non-cancer risk for exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in petrochemical industry. Methods: In this cross-sectional research, 123 samples were collected in the ambient air in Iran during winter 2016. For sampling and analysis of VOCs and H2S, 3 methods (numbers 1500, 1501, and 6013) presented by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) were used. For determination of risk assessment of chemical pollutants, semi-quantitative method presented by the Occupational Safety and Health Division, Singapore was used. Finally, for calculation of cancer risk analysis, Chronic Daily Intake (CDI) and calculation of non-cancer risk, Exposure Concentration (EC) were used. Results: Average concentration of benzene (2.12±0.95) in breathing zone of workers were higher than the Threshold Limit Values-Time Weighted Average (TLV-TWA) (P<0.05). Among chemical substance, benzene had very high rank of risk in petrochemical industry. Rank of risk for H2S, toluene, and xylene present in the breathing zone of workers was low. The mean cancer risk for workers exposed to benzene was estimated 8.78×10-3, in other words, 8.7 cancer per 1000 i.e. higher than the acceptable standard of 10-6 . In our study, non-cancer risk for BTX was higher than the acceptable standard of 1. Conclusion: In particular, overall cancer and toxic risk can be associated with long term exposure to benzene.

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