Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene最新文献

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A depth-limited, climate-gated framework for correcting I/SVOC and SOA precursor emission factors for asphalt pavements. 一个深度有限的气候门控框架,用于纠正沥青路面的I/SVOC和SOA前体排放因子。
IF 1.4 4区 医学
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Pub Date : 2026-09-10 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2026.2707975
William E Fayerweather
{"title":"A depth-limited, climate-gated framework for correcting I/SVOC and SOA precursor emission factors for asphalt pavements.","authors":"William E Fayerweather","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2707975","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2026.2707975","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A depth-limited, climate-gated correction framework was developed to translate published laboratory asphalt-binder emission factors into field-relevant, in-service estimates for intermediate- and semi-volatile organic compounds (I/SVOCs) and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) precursors. Published laboratory emissions evidence and standard aging analogs were synthesized with field-representative constraints on near-surface emission-active depth, pavement structure, and metropolitan climatology. Corrected in-service emissions were calculated by multiplying the uncorrected laboratory-derived potential emission estimate by nine bounded correction factors. The factors separated material and geometry scalars that constrained the amount of binder available to emit from climate and transport gates that constrained the time periods during which emission-active conditions occurred. Uncertainty was propagated with Latin-hypercube sampling (<i>N</i> = 10,000) and rank-based Iman-Conover reordering was used to impose specified correlations among selected solar-thermal inputs while preserving their marginal distributions. Incorporating a surface-limited emission-active layer and realistic activation windows suppressed depth-naive continuously activated in-service emission estimates by approximately 10<sup>4</sup> to 10<sup>5</sup>. Time-phased accounting indicated that construction-stage processes dominated lifetime binder mass loss, with in-service contributions comparatively small and episodic. The leading drivers of corrected factors were the emission-active depth fraction and solar-thermal activation metrics, and conclusions were robust to alternative prior families. The framework provides an auditable translation layer for inventory workflows that accept multiplicative correction factors. It can be ported to other metropolitan areas by re-centering a small set of climate and use parameters; independent field flux validation remains a priority.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-13"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148930169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
A novel method for predicting tunnel blasting dust yield based on numerical inversion and WOA-DELM (Whale Optimization Algorithm-Deep Extreme Learning Machine) neural network. 基于数值反演和WOA-DELM (Whale Optimization Algorithm-Deep Extreme Learning Machine)神经网络的隧道爆破产尘预测新方法。
IF 1.4 4区 医学
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Pub Date : 2026-09-04 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2026.2703500
Changan Zhu, Shulei Zhao, Sixun Wen, Yalin Guo, Zongcheng Guo, Dong Li, Ke Su, Shuaishuai Wang, Xuan Gao, Zheng Chen, Chun Guo
{"title":"A novel method for predicting tunnel blasting dust yield based on numerical inversion and WOA-DELM (Whale Optimization Algorithm-Deep Extreme Learning Machine) neural network.","authors":"Changan Zhu, Shulei Zhao, Sixun Wen, Yalin Guo, Zongcheng Guo, Dong Li, Ke Su, Shuaishuai Wang, Xuan Gao, Zheng Chen, Chun Guo","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2703500","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15459624.2026.2703500","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Drilling and blasting during the construction of tunnels generate large amounts of dust. Accurately predicting dust yield helps to formulate effective dust control measures that can be employed to reduce worker exposures. However, current dust yield prediction methods mainly rely on empirical formulas for open-pit blasting, which do not fully account for the combined effects of ventilation, rock type, and environmental conditions. This paper uses a railway tunnel as a case study and analyzes the dust dispersion patterns based on on-site measurements. Through numerical inversion, a dynamic correlation model between dust concentration at monitoring points and total dust generation was established, and sensitivity analysis of influencing factors was conducted using the Whale Optimization Algorithm-Deep Extreme Learning Machine (WOA-DELM) neural network. A new calculation formula for tunnel blasting dust yield is proposed. The results showed a bimodal dispersion pattern: the initial dispersion was driven by the blasting shock wave, while the secondary dispersion was caused by mechanical ventilation. The surrounding rock type was the most significant factor affecting dust yield, with a variation of up to 8.04 kg. Other factors influencing yield included tunnel temperature (0.97 kg/°C), humidity (0.74 kg/%), tunnel water-content level (0.51 kg per level on a field-based 1-10 scale) and distance from the monitoring point to the tunnel face and ventilation duct outlet (0.17 kg/m and 0.02 kg/m, respectively). By using the WOA-DELM neural network to optimize the traditional open-pit blasting dust calculation formula, an average prediction error of 4.6% was achieved. The research results provide a scientific basis and parameter guidance for developing data necessary to implement engineering controls for tunnel dust control.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148891339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Dustiness of graphene and graphite. 石墨烯和石墨的粉尘。
IF 1.4 4区 医学
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Pub Date : 2026-09-03 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2026.2692355
Douglas E Evans, M Christina Kander, Chen Wang, Peter B Shaw, Seth McCormick, Kabir Rishi, Terrence S Kuca, Derek E Stinson, Gregory J Deye, Matthew M Dahm
{"title":"Dustiness of graphene and graphite.","authors":"Douglas E Evans, M Christina Kander, Chen Wang, Peter B Shaw, Seth McCormick, Kabir Rishi, Terrence S Kuca, Derek E Stinson, Gregory J Deye, Matthew M Dahm","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2692355","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2692355","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Graphene is among the most utilized nanoscale materials in the United States. It is a single-layer carbonaceous nanoscale material with a hexagonal structure. Subtractive synthesis from graphite is common in high-volume manufacturing, with graphene and graphite often present within the same workplace. There is little worker exposure data available to inform risk assessments, particularly for graphene. Dustiness determinations using EN15051-2 <i>Workplace Exposure-Measurement of the Dustiness of Bulk Materials. Part 2: Rotating Drum Method</i> were conducted for two graphene nanoplatelets, two graphene oxides, one few-layered graphene, one furnace carbon black, three natural and five synthetic graphites, and two coals. All 16 test materials were composed mostly of carbon. Dustiness determinations were compared to established thresholds for the inhalable, thoracic, and respirable particle size fractions. Measurements of specific surface area, moisture content, and unconsolidated bulk density were further obtained. Particles were imaged through scanning electron microscopy. The EN15051-2 test is a gentle gravity-induced procedure where the test material falls a limited distance. Dustiness determinations resulted in 2.2% or less of the test material collected in the inhalable size fraction, 0.89% or less in the thoracic, and 0.37% or less in the respirable subfraction. The thoracic fraction constituted ∼31% of the inhalable fraction overall. The masses of four of five graphenes were below the gravimetric limit of detection of 0.57 µg in the respirable size fraction. Contributing factors were the gentle nature of the test and low unconsolidated bulk densities (5.9 to 174 kg/m<sup>3</sup>) for the nanoscale materials, resulting in 0.21 to 6.1 g loaded masses. Modest enhancements to the testing protocol could potentially improve quantification for low-density materials. All test materials and quantifiable size fractions were classified as moderate or high dustiness on a mg/kg basis. The carbonaceous materials in this study have a moderate to high propensity of becoming airborne when subjected to a gentle gravity-induced stimulus. Without adequate controls to prevent dust emissions, handling could result in inhalation, dermal, and mucous membrane exposures as well as present slip, electrical, fire, and dust explosion hazards.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13662783/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148887216","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Performance of powered air-purifying respirators under simulated healthcare work exercises. 动力式空气净化呼吸器在模拟保健工作演习中的性能。
IF 1.4 4区 医学
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Pub Date : 2026-09-02 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2026.2703484
Matthew Horvatin, Weihua Yang, Mike Bergman, Evanly Vo, Ziqing Zhuang
{"title":"Performance of powered air-purifying respirators under simulated healthcare work exercises.","authors":"Matthew Horvatin, Weihua Yang, Mike Bergman, Evanly Vo, Ziqing Zhuang","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2703484","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2703484","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) are an important and commonly used form of respiratory protection in healthcare, particularly during high-risk clinical activities. The main purpose of this study was to determine the simulated workplace protection factor (SWPF) for several PAPR models, investigate the effects of simulated healthcare exercises on individual exercise SWPFs (SWPFi), and monitor for the occurrence of over-breathing during testing. Ten human subjects participated in this study, each performing a series of 10 simulated healthcare exercises lasting two minutes each for five loose-fitting and one tight-fitting PAPR, repeated three times. Two scanning mobility particle sizers were used to measure the aerosol concentration inside and outside the respirator synchronously, with the overall SWPF determined by taking a ratio of the two aerosol concentrations. Significant differences in the geometric mean (GM) of the overall SWPF were found among different PAPR models. A safety factor of 10 (SF10) was applied to the 5th percentile SWPF to adjust for uncertainties between simulated and actual workplace settings. With this factor applied, two PAPRs exceeded the Assigned Protection Factor (APF) of 1,000, one (loose-fitting helmet) exceeded the APF of 25, and three models did not achieve the APF of 1,000. The findings suggest that a safety factor of 10 may be too conservative for PAPRs, and their appropriate application remains an important consideration in SWPF studies. Significant differences in SWPFi were observed across exercises, with lower-demand exercises yielding more conservative protection estimates. Over-breathing was not observed during any of the simulated healthcare exercises. Future studies with larger sample sizes and a broader range of PAPR models are needed to better establish the relationship between safety factor application and the APF, and to further evaluate the effects of exercise on SWPFi. The findings of this study may inform the development of an ASTM draft standard for methods to measure respirator SWPFs.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148880338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Risk-based tiered residential methamphetamine remediation limits. 基于风险的分层住宅甲基苯丙胺修复限制。
IF 1.4 4区 医学
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Pub Date : 2026-09-01 Epub Date: 2026-06-11 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2026.2668074
J E Dennison
{"title":"Risk-based tiered residential methamphetamine remediation limits.","authors":"J E Dennison","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2668074","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2668074","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>U.S. states that regulate methamphetamine (meth) contamination in residences require remediation to reduce meth surface concentrations to below a concentration limit. Existing limits vary widely, by 30-fold. States that have regulatory limits usually have a single limit that does not account for the extent of human contact with contaminated surfaces in different parts of residences (e.g., bedroom <i>vs.</i> attic). Actual exposure in low contact areas does not contribute to total occupant dose as much as that in high contact areas, yet contributes similarly to remediation costs under the single limit paradigm. Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems are also usually subject to the same limits despite low contact and without a basis in risk analysis. Methods for averaging test results into a compliance metric also affect remediation cost. This study analyzes the changes in total occupant meth dose and the concomitant reduction in remediation cost for various alternative concentration limits relative to these four issues. Residences were subdivided into normal occupancy areas (NOAs), low occupancy areas (LOAs) such as attics, moderate occupancy areas (MOAs) such as exterior hallways, and HVAC systems. Dose calculations were based on existing risk assessment methodologies, and cost reductions were based on contractor survey data and random residence sampling data. Raising only the conservative remediation limits adopted by some states to the California single limit would reduce the average cost to remediate a contaminated house from $21,000 to $10,000. Further raising limits to concentrations that remain below risk assessment boundaries is estimated to save an additional $5,000 on LOA and $2,000 on HVAC per remedial project. If all recommended alternate concentration limits are implemented, an estimated 50% cost reduction is possible with tiered limits based on contact time. These alternate limits still allow the occupant dose to fall below the recommended dose levels, which implies that these LOAs, MOAs, and HVAC systems are being over-remediated when they are required to be remediated to the same limit as NOAs.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"618-630"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148226106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
How the US NAS BEAR I Genetics Panel scientific misconduct could have been avoided, but was not. 美国NAS BEAR I遗传学小组的科学不端行为是如何可以避免的,但事实并非如此。
IF 1.4 4区 医学
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Pub Date : 2026-09-01 Epub Date: 2026-05-27 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2026.2664462
Edward J Calabrese
{"title":"How the US NAS BEAR I Genetics Panel scientific misconduct could have been avoided, but was not.","authors":"Edward J Calabrese","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2664462","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2664462","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Biological Effects of Atomic Radiation Committee (BEAR), particularly the BEAR I Genetics Panel, committed scientific misconduct by misrepresenting their research record in a 1956 publication in the journal <i>Science</i> to hide apparent massive disagreements amongst Panelists on population-based mutation risk estimates to achieve their ideological goals. While this circumstance has now been well documented, the present paper shows that Panel concerns over massive disagreements were misplaced as the Panelists misinterpreted mutation estimates and confused risk assessment concepts. This paper shows for the first time that their concerns with massive absolute Panelist disagreements over radiation-induced mutation rates across diverse species (i.e., bacteria <i>vs.</i> mammalian/insect species) and procedures disappeared when normalized within a doubling dose framework, which was well known to them. The Panel's decision to commit scientific misconduct (i.e., alter the research record by excluding widely divergent absolute mutation estimates, most notably from Milisav Demerec) was therefore not necessary to ensure support for their ideologically based LNT policy recommendations. Ironically, their ethical misconduct, which has damaged the reputation of the US NAS and their individual reputations, was not needed for the Panel to achieve its ideological goals. Finally, while the doubling dose offered an apparent convenient vehicle for hereditary risk assessment, this concept has numerous limitations that have restricted some of its risk assessment applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"706-712"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148042566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Occupational exposure assessment modeling and statistical tools: Recommendations for compliance-focused practitioners to improve risk communication. 职业暴露评估建模和统计工具:对以合规为重点的从业人员改进风险沟通的建议。
IF 1.4 4区 医学
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Pub Date : 2026-09-01 Epub Date: 2026-06-30 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2026.2667320
Michael J Johnson, Todd Schoonover, Carolyn Reeb-Whitaker, Susan Arnold
{"title":"Occupational exposure assessment modeling and statistical tools: Recommendations for compliance-focused practitioners to improve risk communication.","authors":"Michael J Johnson, Todd Schoonover, Carolyn Reeb-Whitaker, Susan Arnold","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2667320","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2667320","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Studies have shown that industrial hygiene exposure assessments are subject to inaccurate judgment, may not be different from random chance, and may be biased low, resulting in underestimation of exposures. However, these limitations can be mitigated by the use of modeling and statistical tools. This study shows that before sample collection or when few samples have been taken, modeling tools such as the Structured Deterministic Model (SDM) 2.0 and Expostats can augment a practitioner's risk communication to an employer. SDM and Expostats were used to analyze compliance datasets as follows: (1) comparing the performance of the SDM tool to predict airborne lead and silica overexposures as confirmed by sample data; (2) comparing statistical outputs for similar exposure groups (SEGs) between initial samples that did not contain overexposures and respective follow-up samples that did contain overexposures for airborne lead and iron oxide, and noise; and (3) statistical analysis of airborne lead and silica, and noise datasets that did not contain overexposures to determine the prevalence of unacceptable overexposure risk. In evaluation one, SDM correctly predicted overexposures in all SEGs where samples were above the exposure limit. Evaluation two results showed that inferential statistics from the initial results indicated an unacceptable risk of overexposure, and this was confirmed by follow-up samples that contained overexposures. In evaluation three, results suggested an unacceptable risk of overexposure in half of the datasets analyzed. The results of this study demonstrate that compliance-focused practitioners could also voluntarily leverage modeling and statistical outputs to communicate overexposure risk and encourage controls to reduce the risk of future occupational illnesses and compliance activity.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"667-679"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148360836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Use of hearing protection devices in the clinical dental setting: A pilot study. 临床牙科环境中听力保护装置的使用:一项初步研究。
IF 1.4 4区 医学
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Pub Date : 2026-09-01 Epub Date: 2026-06-11 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2026.2668076
Jeremy Leung, Edwin Fok, Kevin Jayadi, Clement Chang, George Alexander
{"title":"Use of hearing protection devices in the clinical dental setting: A pilot study.","authors":"Jeremy Leung, Edwin Fok, Kevin Jayadi, Clement Chang, George Alexander","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2668076","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2668076","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Noise in the clinical dental setting has been shown to exceed safe levels, and the risk to dental professionals, including occupational noise-induced hearing loss, is well-established. This pilot study investigated dentists' perceptions and experiences of the use of custom-made earplugs as a means of attending to the risk in the clinical dental setting. Dentists were recruited using convenience and purposive sampling and provided with custom-made attenuated earplugs, which were worn for a period of 12 weeks of usual clinical dental practice. Questionnaires were completed periodically. Data were analyzed statistically and thematically. There was a total of eight participants. Participants recognized the risk of hearing loss and supported the promotion and inclusion of hearing protection as a part of personal protective equipment. Participants noted an improved focus due to a reduction in noise perception. Disadvantages included discomfort and communication challenges. This pilot study assessed the process for, and feasibility of, conducting a larger-scale study and will contribute to the reliability and validity of such, which is recommended.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"631-643"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148226154","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Evaluation of total VOC exposure and ventilation controls in funeral home preparation rooms: A case study from Grenada. 评估殡仪馆准备室的总挥发性有机化合物暴露和通风控制:来自格林纳达的案例研究。
IF 1.4 4区 医学
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Pub Date : 2026-09-01 Epub Date: 2026-06-18 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2026.2667314
Paulette Mitchell, Martin S Forde
{"title":"Evaluation of total VOC exposure and ventilation controls in funeral home preparation rooms: A case study from Grenada.","authors":"Paulette Mitchell, Martin S Forde","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2667314","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2667314","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Funeral home (FH) preparation rooms pose potential occupational health hazards due to exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted during embalming and autopsy procedures. This analytical observational study assessed indoor air quality (IAQ) hygiene conditions in all three funeral homes operating in Grenada using total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentrations as an exposure indicator. Air sampling was conducted during 18 embalming and autopsy sessions between February and June 2025 using a GrayWolf AdvancedSense Pro monitor with a photoionization detector. Concurrent measurements of hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, temperature, and relative humidity were recorded. A brief survey was administered to embalmers and support staff to assess work-related health symptoms. Mean TVOC concentrations exceeded the German recommended IAQ hygiene guideline of 0.3 mg/m³ in two of the three funeral homes. Funeral home #1 (FH1) recorded the highest geometric mean TVOC concentration (7.7 mg/m³), whereas Funeral home #3 (FH3) maintained the lowest (0.20 mg/m³). Elevated concentrations were associated with inadequate ventilation and smaller room volume. FH3's continuous fresh air ventilation system-maintained levels below the German IAQ guideline. Self-reported health data from embalmers and reception staff indicated musculoskeletal and respiratory complaints across facilities, though limited sample sizes precluded meaningful comparison between funeral homes or job categories. These results illustrate the practical utility of TVOC measurements in assessing IAQ and provide funeral home directors with valuable guidance on designing and maintaining ventilation systems to safeguard the occupational health of funeral service providers.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"657-666"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148277688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
The effects of suboptimal illumination and image brightness on dispersion staining colors: Identifying talc as chrysotile asbestos. 次优照明和图像亮度对色散染色颜色的影响:识别滑石为温石棉。
IF 1.4 4区 医学
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Pub Date : 2026-09-01 Epub Date: 2026-05-12 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2026.2657306
Benjamin Ellis
{"title":"The effects of suboptimal illumination and image brightness on dispersion staining colors: Identifying talc as chrysotile asbestos.","authors":"Benjamin Ellis","doi":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2657306","DOIUrl":"10.1080/15459624.2026.2657306","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Polarized light microscopy analysis is a powerful qualitative technique for the identification and confirmation of unknown particles. This technique has been one of the primary diagnostic tools for the identification of asbestos minerals in building materials. Additionally, polarized light microscopy has been employed to identify asbestos minerals in naturally occurring matrices such as soil, talc ore, and vermiculite. Identifying asbestos in these matrices can be challenging due to the nature of the non-homogenous makeup of the material and the potentially extremely low concentrations of asbestos that may be present if asbestos is present at all. The presence of interference minerals increases the difficulty of accurately identifying asbestos minerals in these matrices. Digital images of optical properties have become standard in legal matters in providing proof of positive identification of asbestos in talc. Recently, there has been an increase in the identification of talc particles as chrysotile asbestos in talc-based consumer products. Suboptimal illumination of a talc plate or talc cleavage ribbon on edge when recording central stop dispersion staining colors can force the refractive indices of talc to be identified as chrysotile asbestos. This manipulation of illumination has implications in toxicology, materials science, industrial hygiene, risk assessment, and epidemiology. Ensuring precise mineral identification is critical in legal contexts to address health concerns accurately and determine liability correctly.</p>","PeriodicalId":16599,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene","volume":" ","pages":"579-595"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147930449","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
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