Small-Angle Particle Counting Coupled Photometry for Real-Time Detection of Respirable Particle Size Segmentation Mass Concentration

Respirable particulate matter air pollution is positively associated with SARS-CoV-2 mortality. Real-time and accurate monitoring of particle concentration changes is the first step to prevent and control air pollution from inhalable particles. In this research, a new light scattering instrument has been developed to detect the mass concentration of inhalable particles. This instrument couples the forward small-angle single particle counting method with the lateral group particle photometry method in a single device. The mass concentration of four sizes of inhalable particles in the environment can be detected simultaneously in a large area in real-time without using a particle impactor. Different from the traditional light scattering instrument, this new optical instrument can detect darker particles with strong light absorption, and the measurement results mainly depend on the particle size and ignore the properties of the particles. Comparative experiments have shown that the instrument can detect particles with different properties by simply calibrating the environmental density parameters, and the measurement results have good stability and accuracy.

Occupational exposure to particles and air pollutants in a car paint workshop

Background In auto paint workshops there are several chemical, physical and biological agents that are harmful to health, making it essential to guarantee the well-being and safety of workers. In this sense, the assessment of the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) of these places, in an associated context of occupational health, proves to be important. Methods The present study had as main objective to evaluate the occupational exposure of workers in an automobile painting workshop to particles and air pollutants. The data collection consisted of the evaluation of air quality, using for this purpose, the assessment of atmospheric pollutants carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), formaldehyde (CH2O), carbon dioxide sulfur (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10, breathable and inhalable particles) and the meteorological variables temperature and relative humidity. The collected data was processed using the statistical software IBM SPSS version 27.0. The interpretation of the statistical tests was performed with a 95% confidence level for a maximum random error up to 5%. Results We found that the concentrations of inhalable particles recorded in some workstations exceeded the legally established exposure limit value. Conclusions IAQ should be a priority concern for the government and for all professionals working in the area of Occupational Health and Safety having in mind the implementation of measures that promote the continuous improvement of the IAQ of the facilities, thus guaranteeing a good assessment and monitoring of workstations, preventing atmospheric pollutants from reaching concentrations that could put workers' health at risk.