scholarly journals Levels, Sources, and Health Damage of Dust in Grain Transportation and Storage: A Case Study of Chinese Grain Storage Companies

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1025
Author(s):  
Pengcheng Cui ◽  
Tao Zhang ◽  
Xin Chen ◽  
Xiaoyi Yang

A large amount of mixed dust exists in grain, which can easily stimulate the respiratory system and cause diseases. This study explored contamination levels and health effects of this grain dust. A total of 616 dust samples from different stages and types of grain were collected in China—in Hefei (Anhui), Shenzhen (Guangdong), Chengdu (Sichuan), Changchun (Jilin), and Shunyi (Beijing)—and analyzed using the filter membrane method and a laser particle size analyzer. A probabilistic risk assessment model was developed to explore the health effects of grain dust on workers in the grain storage industry based on the United States Environmental Protection Agency risk assessment model and the Monte Carlo simulation method. Sensitivity analysis methods were used to analyze the various exposure parameters and influencing factors that affect the health risk assessment results. This assessment model was applied to translate health risks into disability-adjusted life years (DALY). The results revealed that the concentration of dust ranged from 25 to 70 mg/m3, which followed normal distribution and the proportion of dust with a particle size of less than 10 μm exceeded 10%. Workers in the transporting stage were exposed to the largest health risk, which followed a lognormal distribution. The average health risks for workers in the entering and exiting zones were slightly below 2.5 × 10−5. The sensitivity analysis indicated that average time, exposure duration, inhalation rate, and dust concentration made great contributions to dust health risk. Workers in the grain storage and transportation stage had the health damage, and the average DALY exceeded 0.4 years.

2019 ◽  
pp. 45-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Tian ◽  
Xiujuan Liang ◽  
Yan Gong ◽  
Zhuang Kang ◽  
Hongtao Jin

High concentrations of nitrate in groundwater pose a threat to human health. To quantify groundwater nitrate pollution in China's Changchun New District and evaluate its human health risks, 98 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed. The spatial distribution of groundwater chemical components was variable with concentrations descending from TDS > HCO3− > Ca2+ > NO3− > SO42- > Na+ > Cl− > Mg2+ > K+ > NO2− > NH4+. Notably, NO3− concentrations ranged from 0.02–492.72 mg/L and averaged 98.62 mg/L. Over 50% of samples exceeded the Quality Standard for Groundwater of China Class III N threshold (20 mg/L). Principal component analysis determined that NO3 contamination was primarily due to the excessive use of fertilizers in agriculture. A human health risk assessment model was used to assess the potential health risks of groundwater NO3− via drinking water and skin contact pathways. Approximately 90% of adults, 66% of children, and 45% of infants had acceptable health risks in the study area. NO3− exposure risk in the towns of Longjia and Xiyingcheng was the highest, while urban areas tended to have lower exposures. The health risks of residents, especially minors and infants, were concerned.


2019 ◽  
Vol 78 ◽  
pp. 03004
Author(s):  
Miaomiao Tian ◽  
Wenzhao Li ◽  
Meijuan Ruan ◽  
Jing Wei ◽  
Weiwei Ma

Drinking water quality has become a great concern to the whole society, especially in heavily polluted rural areas. This paper analyzes the water quality of 100 water supping the US Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) recommended health risk assessment model. The results showed that the microbial indicators exceeded the standard in the whole year, and some of the water supply units which lead, nitrated and dissolved solids exceeding the standard. The model recommended by EPA is applied to establish risk assessment model for health risk assessment of adults in wet and dry seasons, respectively. Results of HRA indicated that carcinogenic risk of chromium was 7.61E-05a-1 and the risk value of arsenic was 9.92E-06a-1 which exceed the maximum acceptable risk level recommended by USEPA 5.0×10-5 closely to the ICPR recommendation 1.0×10-6. Meanwhile we conduct health risk assessment (HRA) on relevant non-carcinogenic indicators: nitrate is 2.95E-09a-1, the risk value of fluoride (F) is 2.49E-09a-1, the risk value of lead is 2.39E-09a-1 and copper (Cu) 9.00E-10a-1 exceeds the maximum acceptable risk level risk value recommended by USEPA 1.0×10-9. The above indicators require priority control and management of pollutants that are prioritized and managed.


1996 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 739-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan J. Siniscalchi ◽  
Sarah J. Tibbetts ◽  
Regine C. Beakes ◽  
Xaviel Soto ◽  
Margaret A. Thomas ◽  
...  

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