{"title":"Survey of risk reduction and pollution prevention practices in the Rhode Island automotive refinishing industry.","authors":"R T Enander, D M Gute, R Missaghian","doi":"10.1080/15428119891010235","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15428119891010235","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In 1996 a survey of pollution prevention, environmental control, and occupational health and safety practices was conducted in the Rhode Island automotive refinishing industry sector. In conjunction with project partners, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management developed a multidimensional survey instrument to identify risk reduction opportunities. Investigators sought to characterize the range of environmental and industrial hygiene control employed by Rhode Island facilities for the purposes of focusing state technical and compliance assistance efforts. Data were collected on a diverse range of subject areas including work force demographics; source reduction; potential health hazards; worker protection and safety; solid and hazardous waste management; and air pollution control. Nearly one-half of the shops employ three or fewer people, and in many cases, spray painters double as body repair technicians thereby increasing their potential exposure to workplace contaminants. While nearly all of the shops reported that they use spray painting booths, only 38% own booths the more effective downdraft design. Based on the self-reported data, recently promulgated state air pollution control regulations (requiring the use of compliant coatings, enclosed or modified spray gun cleaners, and high-volume, low-pressure, spray guns) appear to be effective at motivating companies toward source reduction. A range of risk reduction opportunities were identified as input material changes, technology changes, and improved operating practices. Better methods of risk communication; a professional licensing requirement; and targeted training, compliance, and technical assistance would help to achieve greater levels of risk reduction in this mature, high-hazard industry.</p>","PeriodicalId":7930,"journal":{"name":"American Industrial Hygiene Association journal","volume":"59 7","pages":"478-89"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1998-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15428119891010235","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"20612698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Use of hearing protection and perceptions of noise exposure and hearing loss among construction workers.","authors":"S L Lusk, M J Kerr, S A Kauffman","doi":"10.1080/15428119891010217","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15428119891010217","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The purpose of this study was to describe construction workers' use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) and determine their perceptions of noise exposure and hearing loss. Operating engineers, carpenters, and plumbers/pipe fitters in the Midwest (n = 400) completed a written questionnaire regarding their use of HPDs and their perceptions of noise exposure and hearing loss. Subjects were recruited through their trade union groups. Mean reported use of HPDs and mean perceived noise exposure were compared across trade groups. Bivariate and multivariate analysis techniques were used to assess relationships between use of HPDs and trade category, education, age, years of employment, noise exposure, and hearing loss. Bivariate analyses identified significant differences in mean use of HPDs by age, years of employment, and trade group. Multivariate logistic regression assessing the independent effects of these variables found significant differences only by trade group. Results indicate a need for significant improvement in all three trade groups' use of HPDs, and suggest a need to consider use and exposure levels, demographics, and trade group membership in designing hearing conservation programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":7930,"journal":{"name":"American Industrial Hygiene Association journal","volume":"59 7","pages":"466-70"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1998-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15428119891010217","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"20614013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Analysis of coal slag for naturally occurring radioactive material.","authors":"H B Spitz, G Rajaretnam","doi":"10.1080/15428119891010226","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15428119891010226","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Samples of aerosolized coal slag were collected during an abrasive blasting operation to determine the concentration of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in the respirable and nonrespirable fractions. Each slag fraction was analyzed using alpha and gamma spectrometry. Since the slag is insoluble, it was necessary to dissolve samples completely by fusion with potassium fluoride and, after additional transposing and separation, mount the precipitate containing radium (Ra), the main radioactive component in NORM, on a membrane filter for alpha counting. The concentration of 226Ra in coal slag was independent of the particle size fraction and equal to 2.28 picocuries/gram (pCi/g) +/- 0.43 pCi/g, which is approximately twice the typical concentration of NORM in uncontaminated soil. Analysis of NORM by gamma spectrometry identified low concentrations of uranium, thorium, and potassium, all primordial radioactive materials that are commonly encountered in normal background soil. Integral exposure to workers from inhalation of NORM during abrasive blasting with coal slag is extremely low and could be essentially eliminated by use of appropriate respiratory protection. External radiation exposure to workers handling large quantities of NORM-contaminated coal slag during shipping or storage is also low, but would vary depending on the concentration of NORM in the slag.</p>","PeriodicalId":7930,"journal":{"name":"American Industrial Hygiene Association journal","volume":"59 7","pages":"471-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1998-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15428119891010226","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"20614014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"ELPAT Program report: background and current status (November 1997). Environmental Lead Proficiency Analytical Testing (ELPAT) Program.","authors":"C A Esche, J H Groff","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7930,"journal":{"name":"American Industrial Hygiene Association journal","volume":"59 6","pages":"430-4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1998-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"20587703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
G J Kullman, P S Thorne, P F Waldron, J J Marx, B Ault, D M Lewis, P D Siegel, S A Olenchock, J A Merchant
{"title":"Organic dust exposures from work in dairy barns.","authors":"G J Kullman, P S Thorne, P F Waldron, J J Marx, B Ault, D M Lewis, P D Siegel, S A Olenchock, J A Merchant","doi":"10.1080/15428119891010668","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15428119891010668","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Environmental surveys were conducted in 85 barns, predominantly dairy, in central Wisconsin to characterize exposures to organic dusts and dust constituents from routine barn work. Environmental analytes included airborne dusts (total, inhalable inlet, and respirable), particle size distributions, endotoxins, total spore and bacteria counts, viable bacteria and fungi, histamine, cow urine antigen, mite antigen, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. The geometric mean (GM) concentration of airborne dusts include area total, 0.74 mg/m3; personal inhalable inlet, 1.78 mg/m3, and area respirable, 0.07 mg/m3. Viable bacteria and fungi, spores, endotoxins, histamine, cow urine antigen, and mite antigen were quantifiable constituents of these organic dusts and potential respiratory exposure hazards from routine dairy barn work. Endotoxin concentrations from the inhalable inlet samples ranged from 25.4 endotoxin units per cubic meter of air (EU/m3) to 34,800 EU/m3. The GM endotoxin concentration from these samples, 647 EU/m3, exceeds estimated threshold exposure levels for respiratory health effects. Ammonia was a common irritant quantified in most dairy barns. There were significant correlations between the concentrations of organic dusts and certain dust constituents, although in most instances these correlations were not strong. These sampling results demonstrate the complex nature of organic dusts and provide quantitative description of the exposures to toxic and immunogenic dust constituents during routine barn work.</p>","PeriodicalId":7930,"journal":{"name":"American Industrial Hygiene Association journal","volume":"59 6","pages":"403-13"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1998-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15428119891010668","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"20587701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effects of breathing parameters on sidestream cigarette smoke deposition in a hollow tracheobronchial model.","authors":"R I Dendo, R F Phalen, R C Mannix, M J Oldham","doi":"10.1080/15428119891010631","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15428119891010631","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The effects of variations in cyclic breathing parameters (i.e., tidal volume and breath frequency) have been the subject of few studies devoted to the deposition of submicrometer aerosols in the human respiratory tract. Therefore, a series of experiments was performed to investigate whether the deposition efficiency (DE) of sidestream cigarette smoke is altered by varying tidal volume and breath frequency in a child-size hollow tracheobronchial (TB) model while maintaining a fixed minute ventilation rate of 5 L/min. Under cyclic flow conditions with tidal volumes of 100 mL (50 breaths/min), 250 mL (20 breaths/min), 500 mL (10 breaths/min) and 750 mL (6.7 breaths/min), sidestream cigarette smoke was passed through replicas of an idealized hollow TB model. The smoke deposits were extracted and then quantitated spectrophotometrically. The experiments revealed a significant difference in DE between the 100-mL tidal volume (DE = 6.0%) and the 750-mL tidal volume (DE = 11.1%). Under equivalent steady flow conditions, the mean DE was 21.5%. A trend was evident in the data--DE increased as tidal volume increased (and breathing frequency decreased)--suggesting that the influence of diffusion and secondary flows on DE becomes greater as the air residence time increases and the degree of air turbulence decreases. The results provide evidence of the importance of breathing parameters when attempting to model in vivo deposition of environmental tobacco smoke and other similar-size respirable aerosols.</p>","PeriodicalId":7930,"journal":{"name":"American Industrial Hygiene Association journal","volume":"59 6","pages":"381-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1998-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15428119891010631","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"20587808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Improving the specific gravity adjustment method for assessing urinary concentrations of toxic substances.","authors":"H S Vij, S Howell","doi":"10.1080/15428119891010622","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15428119891010622","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Changes in urinary flow induce changes in urinary concentrations of toxic substances. The authors modified the conventional specific gravity adjustment method for measuring urinary concentration of toxic substances to compensate for the dilution effects from varying degrees of hydration. The conventional specific gravity adjustment method is a special case to the more general method proposed in this article. The conventional method generally does not correct the urinary concentration to the mean specific gravity of urine. It requires the assumption that a change in urine flow preserves the relative ratio between the mass of the xenobiotic and the mass of total dissolved solids. The derivation of the modified specific gravity adjustment method shows that a change in urine flow does not necessarily preserve this ratio. An experimental slope between urinary flow and urinary specific gravity was linear on a log scale. A ratio was formed between the experimental slope and Araki's \"b\" slopes for various substances to predict changes in urine concentrations due to changes in the specific gravity of a spot sample. Since excretion rates typically vary for different substances with changes in urinary flow, an appropriately weighted exponential adjustment factor is required for each substance to normalize its concentration to the standard specific gravity of urine.</p>","PeriodicalId":7930,"journal":{"name":"American Industrial Hygiene Association journal","volume":"59 6","pages":"375-80"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1998-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15428119891010622","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"20587807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Airborne contaminant exposure control in a partitioned work environment by exhaust ventilation systems.","authors":"K C Chung","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The evaluation of contaminant removal effectiveness can play a key role in a working environment quality investigation and in remediation efforts. In this study a computer simulation technique was developed for assessing the efficiency of contaminant removal within a partitioned working environment. To determine the effect of the physical parameters of each partitioned space on contaminant removal effectiveness, a relative contaminant concentration unit was used to show the simulation results. In addition, tracer gas techniques were adopted to validate the accuracy of the prediction model. A comparison of measured CO2 concentrations in a controlled environment chamber with the results of a simulation model is presented. This study investigated the partition configuration of work environment and environment parameters including openings operation, constant concentration, and exhaust air volume mode. Results indicated that variations of the above three parameters can produce great differences in overall ventilation performance. Through this type of study, the interaction of airflow and contaminant concentration between partitioned spaces can be understood in advance and adequate knowledge can be provided to maintain a high-quality and healthy environment for workers.</p>","PeriodicalId":7930,"journal":{"name":"American Industrial Hygiene Association journal","volume":"59 5","pages":"346-52"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1998-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"20767965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Field validation of passive monitors for the determination of employee exposures to methylene chloride in pharmaceutical production facilities.","authors":"K A Charron, M A Puskar, S P Levine","doi":"10.1080/15428119891010613","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15428119891010613","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A series of field evaluations was performed to estimate the overall uncertainty of three manufacturers' passive monitors (Assay Technology Model 541 and 546, 3M Model 3520, and SKC Model 575-001) to determine methylene chloride (MeCl2) concentrations. Area samples were exposed in a pharmaceutical production facility at five MeCl2 air concentrations for both permissible exposure limit (PEL) and short-term exposure limit (STEL) periods. A specially designed evaluation chamber was used to concurrently expose six of each type of passive monitor while concurrently collecting six active samples from locations surrounding the dosimeter array. The active samples were used to estimate the actual concentration during the evaluation period. The precision, bias, and overall uncertainty were estimated for each monitor type at concentrations bracketing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed exposure limits. The actual MeCl2 concentrations for the PEL sampling periods ranged from 0.9 to 63 ppm. The pooled overall uncertainty results for all the passive monitors evaluated under PEL sampling conditions met the NIOSH accuracy recommendations. Pooled overall uncertainty for PEL evaluations for the monitors were: Assay Technology Model 546 +/- 17%; 3M +/- 13%; and SKC +/- 17%. Actual MeCl2 concentrations for the STEL sampling periods ranged from 14 to 357 ppm. Pooled overall uncertainty results for Assay Technology and 3M monitors evaluated under STEL sampling conditions met the NIOSH accuracy recommendations; however, the SKC passive monitor was slightly greater than the NIOSH recommendation. Pooled overall uncertainty for STEL evaluations for the monitors were: Assay Technology Model 541 +/- 18%; 3M +/- 16%; and SKC +/- 27%.</p>","PeriodicalId":7930,"journal":{"name":"American Industrial Hygiene Association journal","volume":"59 5","pages":"353-8"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1998-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15428119891010613","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"20768528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Determinants of wheat antigen and fungal alpha-amylase exposure in bakeries.","authors":"I Burstyn, K Teschke, K Bartlett, S M Kennedy","doi":"10.1080/15428119891010569","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15428119891010569","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The study's objectives were to measure flour antigen exposure in bakeries and define the determinants of exposure. Ninety-six bakery workers, employed in seven different bakeries, participated in the study. Two side-by-side full-shift inhalable dust samples were obtained from each study participant on a single occasion. The flour antigen exposure was measured as wheat antigen and fungal alpha-amylase content of the water-soluble fraction of inhalable dust, assayed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. During the entire sampling period bakers were observed and information on 14 different tasks was recorded at 15-minute intervals. Other production characteristics were also recorded for each sampling day and used in statistical modeling to identify significant predictors of exposure. The mean alpha-amylase antigen exposure was 22.0 ng/m3 (ranging from below the limit of detection of 0.1 ng/m3 to 307.1 ng/m3) and the mean wheat antigen exposure was 109 micrograms/m3 (ranging from below the limit of detection of 1 microgram/m3 to 1018 micrograms/m3). Regression models that explained 74% of variability in wheat antigen and alpha-amylase antigen exposures were constructed. The models indicated that tasks such as weighing, pouring, and operating dough-brakers increased flour antigen exposure, while packing and decorating resulted in lower exposures. Croissant, puff-pastry, and bread/bun production lines were associated with increased exposure, while cake production and substitution of dusting with the use of divider oil were associated with decreased exposure. Exposure levels can be reduced by the automation of forming tasks, alteration of tasks requiring pouring of flour, and changes to the types of products manufactured.</p>","PeriodicalId":7930,"journal":{"name":"American Industrial Hygiene Association journal","volume":"59 5","pages":"313-20"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"1998-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/15428119891010569","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"20767963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}