{"title":"Strength capabilities and subjective limits in repetitive manual exertions: task and hand dominance effects.","authors":"Hope Johnson, M. Nussbaum","doi":"10.1080/15428110308984870","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15428110308984870","url":null,"abstract":"Strength and subjectively determined exertion limits are used widely for ergonomic evaluation. Although compilations of such data for the hand and finger exist, several important limitations include the use of inexperienced participants and constrained postures. In this study both strength and maximum acceptable limits (MAL, 2-hour duration) were obtained from both industrial workers and inexperienced volunteers in 10 simulated hand-intensive automotive assembly tasks. To expand the applicability of the results, the effects of hand-dominance were also determined. Results were compared with existing recommendations (by Kodak and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists threshold limit value for hand-intensive activities), and showed that across the diverse tasks the former yields values slightly below the 1st percentile of MAL, whereas the latter values are slightly higher than the 25th percentile. MALs were found to be approximately 50% of strength, consistent with earlier reports, and suggesting that acceptable limits are strongly influenced by physical capacity. Substantial differences ( approximately 30%) in strength and MALs were found between the two participant groups, emphasizing that participants should resemble the target population. Hand-dominance effects were statistically significant though of moderate size ( approximately 5%). Strength and MAL distributions are provided that can be used for evaluation and design of a variety of hand-intensive occupational tasks.","PeriodicalId":83618,"journal":{"name":"AIHA journal : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":"178 1","pages":"763-70"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89920997","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}
Jyun-De Wu, Mark J Nieuwenhuijsen, Steve J Samuels, Kiyoung Lee, Marc B Schenker
{"title":"Identification of agricultural tasks important to cumulative exposures to inhalable and respirable dust in California.","authors":"Jyun-De Wu, Mark J Nieuwenhuijsen, Steve J Samuels, Kiyoung Lee, Marc B Schenker","doi":"10.1202/488.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1202/488.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Little data exists on the determinants of agricultural dust exposure, particularly in dry climates. Annual exposure indices to inhalable and respirable dust were constructed by exposure estimates for specific tasks, task duration, and task frequency. The estimates of exposure levels were based on actual field measurements and subjective dust exposure ranking. The task duration and frequency data were obtained by questionnaire from 546 farm operators in California. Annual exposure indices were analyzed to determine which tasks were major contributors to chronic dust exposure. The important tasks were identified by comparisons of the cumulative distribution of exposures for all tasks and the cumulative distribution of exposures with one task deleted. Thirteen and 11 tasks were identified to be important to both inhalable and respirable dust exposures, respectively. Tasks identified to be important to agricultural exposure may be ascribed to exposure duration more than to exposure intensity. Information on task-specific exposure is important for developing control strategies in the agricultural workplace.</p>","PeriodicalId":83618,"journal":{"name":"AIHA journal : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":"64 6","pages":"830-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"24124376","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":"Loss of straight metalworking fluid samples from evaporation during sampling and desiccation.","authors":"Dong-Uk Park, Shinbum Kim, C. Yoon","doi":"10.1080/15428110308984880","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15428110308984880","url":null,"abstract":"Straight metalworking fluids (MWFs) were used to evaluate the potential for the loss of MWF mass from filters. Two methods were used to study the stability of MWF mass on filter media. The first was to spike known amounts of MWF onto polyvinyl chloride (PVC) filters, store the filters over silica gel desiccant, and take repeated gravimetric measurements of the filters at intervals of 1, 2, and 3 days. An MWF aerosol mist was generated in a test chamber and collected on PVC filters for the second experimental method. Additional clean air was drawn through a subset of filters (range 0.02-0.48 m(3)), which were then stored over silica gel prior to weighing. Losses due to desiccation were found in filters that had not been exposed to airflow, as well as for filters after aspiration. The losses occurring in spiked filters (range of mean 2.6-15.2%) were higher than those in collected filters (range 0.7-8.1%). The MWF aerosol mass collected on PVC filters decreased with the increasing volume of clean air passing through the filter. In a multiple regression model, to predict the loss of collected MWF due to desiccation, loading mass, fresh MWF, and air passing time of 10 min were significant predictors (p=.0001, R(2)=.374). In particular, only air passage of 10 min was significantly higher (2.13%) than the reference air passage (p=.0054). The investigators concluded that MWF aerosol collected on PVC filters may be lost to evaporation under conditions typical of shipment, storage, and desiccation of sample filters, and with airflow through the filter.","PeriodicalId":83618,"journal":{"name":"AIHA journal : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":"144 1","pages":"837-41"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77458205","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}
E. Vo, J. Nicholson, P. Gao, Z. Zhuang, S. Berardinelli
{"title":"The thermo-hand method: evaluation of a new indicator pad for acid permeation of chemical protective gloves.","authors":"E. Vo, J. Nicholson, P. Gao, Z. Zhuang, S. Berardinelli","doi":"10.1080/15428110308984871","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15428110308984871","url":null,"abstract":"The thermo-hand method was developed to evaluate a new indicator pad for acid permeation through chemical protective gloves under in-use conditions (controlled conditions for the hand's skin temperature, hand movements, and relative humidity inside gloves). An indicator pad was used to detect both organic and inorganic acid permeation through glove materials. Breakthrough times for five types of gloves were determined and found to range from 5 to 308 min for propionic acid, from 4 to 293 min for acrylic acid, and from 15 min to >6 hours for HCl. Quantification was performed for propionic and acrylic acids following solvent desorption and gas chromatography. Both acids exhibited >99% adsorption (including the volume of acid, which reacted with an indicator to contribute the color change) on the pads at a spiking level of 1.8 micro L for each acid. Acid recovery for the system was calculated for each acid, with results ranging from 52-72% (RSD < or =4.0%) for both acids over the spiking range 0.2-1.8 micro L. The quantitative mass of the acids on the pads at the time of breakthrough detection ranged from 253-276 and 270-296 micro g/cm(2) for propionic acid and acrylic acid, respectively. The thermo-hand method and a new acid indicator pad together should be useful in detecting, collecting, and quantitatively analyzing acid permeation samples in the workplace.","PeriodicalId":83618,"journal":{"name":"AIHA journal : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":"1 1","pages":"771-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88137145","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":"Farmers' exposure to airborne microorganisms in composting swine confinement buildings.","authors":"S. Rautiala, J. Kangas, K. Louhelainen, M. Reiman","doi":"10.1080/15428110308984862","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15428110308984862","url":null,"abstract":"Farmers' exposure to airborne microorganisms was studied in 12 composting swine confinement buildings and in 7 buildings with traditional slatted-floor pit systems. Airborne cultivable mesophilic, xerophilic, and thermotolerant fungi, mesophilic bacteria, and thermophilic actinobacteria were determined with a six-stage impactor. Furthermore, the total concentrations of microorganisms were determined with filter sampling and direct count using a microscope. In swine confinement buildings where the composting system was functioning properly, the concentrations of microorganisms were 10-1000 times higher than in traditional swine buildings. High concentrations of thermotolerant fungi and thermophilic actinobacteria (up to 10(5) CFU/m(3)), which have been considered to be the main causative agents of farmer's lung, were found in the composting swine confinement buildings that were studied. The conclusion was reached that farmers are exposed to high concentrations of fungal and actinobacterial spores also in swineries, at least in composting confinement buildings. Therefore, personal protection is strongly recommended in composting swineries, especially during the turning of the compost bed.","PeriodicalId":83618,"journal":{"name":"AIHA journal : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":"44 1","pages":"673-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88608659","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":"Maximum handgrip force in relation to upper limb posture--a meta-analysis.","authors":"D. Roman-Liu","doi":"10.1080/15428110308984853","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15428110308984853","url":null,"abstract":"It is essential to establish normative values of handgrip force in relation to factors influencing the force. This study developed a predictive equation that expresses the maximum force of the handgrip in relation to upper limb posture and gender. To create the equation, data from published studies on experimental results of maximum handgrip force in different upper limb postures were used. Selected were only those studies that describe upper limb posture during experiments clearly enough so that it could be transferred according to the Seven Degrees of Freedom Model, which unambiguously defines upper limb posture with values of seven angles. A predictive equation for male maximum handgrip force in relation to angles of wrist flexion/extension, wrist adduction/abduction, forearm pronation/supination, elbow flexion, shoulder flexion/extension, shoulder horizontal adduction/abduction, and arm medial/lateral rotation along the long axis was developed. Also developed was a mathematical formula that expresses maximum handgrip force for men in relation to maximum handgrip force for women. The equation is general and can be used for calculating norm values. It can also be applied to a specific population by performing an experimental study for one upper limb posture and assessing maximum force on the basis of the predictive equation for others.","PeriodicalId":83618,"journal":{"name":"AIHA journal : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":"3 1","pages":"609-17"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91248349","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}
Charles E Neumeister, Larry D Olsen, Donald D Dollberg
{"title":"Development of a flow-injection fluorescence method for estimation of total polycyclic aromatic compounds in asphalt fumes.","authors":"Charles E Neumeister, Larry D Olsen, Donald D Dollberg","doi":"10.1202/441.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1202/441.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Traditionally, measurements of specific polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) have been attempted as an estimate of asphalt fume exposure. However, asphalt fumes contain numerous alkyl substituted PACs, including PACs containing heteroatoms of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. Many of these compounds coelute precluding the resolution of the individual compounds resulting in ambiguous data. Moreover, many researchers believe that some observed health hazards are associated with PACs overall and not just a few select PACs. Therefore, NIOSH method 5800 was developed to evaluate total PACs as a chemical class in asphalt fumes. Asphalt fume samples were collected on a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) filter backed by an XAD-2 sorbent tube. The samples were extracted with hexane; then, a cyano-solid-phase-extraction column was used to remove the polar compounds while the aliphatic and aromatic compounds were eluted with hexane. An equal volume of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was added to the hexane extract, causing the aromatic compounds to partition into the DMSO, thus isolating the PACs. The PACs were then analyzed for fluorescence using a flow-injection method with two fluorescence detectors. Wavelength settings for the first detector (254-nm excitation, 370-nm emission) emphasized the 2- to 4-ring PACs that may cause eye and respiratory tract irritation. Wavelength settings of the second detector (254-nm excitation, 400-nm emission) emphasized the 4- and higher-ring PACs that are often mutagenic and possibly carcinogenic.</p>","PeriodicalId":83618,"journal":{"name":"AIHA journal : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":"64 5","pages":"618-24"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"24008245","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":"Confidence intervals for the mean of sound exposure levels.","authors":"Michel Grzebyk, Léon Thiéry","doi":"10.1202/430.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1202/430.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This text transposes standard statistical estimators of the mean and its confidence intervals to the field of occupational noise exposure, assuming that the samples are independent and lognormally distributed. The hypothesis of lognormality is applied to the values of A-weighted sound exposure as defined in ISO 1999 and expressed in Pa(2).h, which is equivalent to the currently accepted hypothesis of normality applied to the values of equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level L(Aeq,T) expressed in dB(A). By expressing the initial data and results in dB(A), the text provides an unbiased estimator of the mean sound exposure level and tables of confidence intervals according to the sample size n and the standard deviation S(L) of the L(Aeq,T) measured values. The values of the following confidence intervals are given: exact one-sided upper and lower 95 and 97.5% confidence intervals and exact two-sided symmetrical 95% confidence interval. These results are compared with the approximate two-sided symmetrical 95% confidence interval proposed in standard, ISO 9612. This comparison demonstrates that the use of the approximate confidence interval can markedly underestimate the upper limit of the confidence interval when n is small and if S(L) is above 3 dB(A).</p>","PeriodicalId":83618,"journal":{"name":"AIHA journal : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":"64 5","pages":"640-5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"24008246","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}
Sirpa Rautiala, Juhani Kangas, Kyösti Louhelainen, Marjut Reiman
{"title":"Farmers' exposure to airborne microorganisms in composting swine confinement buildings.","authors":"Sirpa Rautiala, Juhani Kangas, Kyösti Louhelainen, Marjut Reiman","doi":"10.1202/471.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1202/471.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Farmers' exposure to airborne microorganisms was studied in 12 composting swine confinement buildings and in 7 buildings with traditional slatted-floor pit systems. Airborne cultivable mesophilic, xerophilic, and thermotolerant fungi, mesophilic bacteria, and thermophilic actinobacteria were determined with a six-stage impactor. Furthermore, the total concentrations of microorganisms were determined with filter sampling and direct count using a microscope. In swine confinement buildings where the composting system was functioning properly, the concentrations of microorganisms were 10-1000 times higher than in traditional swine buildings. High concentrations of thermotolerant fungi and thermophilic actinobacteria (up to 10(5) CFU/m(3)), which have been considered to be the main causative agents of farmer's lung, were found in the composting swine confinement buildings that were studied. The conclusion was reached that farmers are exposed to high concentrations of fungal and actinobacterial spores also in swineries, at least in composting confinement buildings. Therefore, personal protection is strongly recommended in composting swineries, especially during the turning of the compost bed.</p>","PeriodicalId":83618,"journal":{"name":"AIHA journal : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":"64 5","pages":"673-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"24007694","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":"Application of statistical models to estimate the correlation between urinary benzene as biological indicator of exposure and air concentrations determined by personal monitoring.","authors":"Daniela Tolentino, Ezio Zenari, Maurizio Dall'Olio, Gabriella Ruani, Alfonso Gelormini, Gregorio Mirone","doi":"10.1202/362.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1202/362.1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluated the correlation between benzene in urine and in workplace air at low airborne benzene levels (below 1 ppm). Eleven workers were monitored over a period of 1-4 days at a petrochemical plant in Italy; samples of end-of-shift urine and workplace air were analyzed for benzene. A significant correlation, with a coefficient of determination R(2)=0.63, was found between urine and airborne benzene, confirming the results of previous studies. Two different statistical models were utilized to estimate urine benzene values of 9-16 microg/L corresponding to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists' threshold limit value (TLV) of 0.5 ppm in workplace air. Not withstanding the variability inherent to biological monitoring, the results suggest application of biomonitoring as a trigger for identification of lower exposure level below, but approaching the TLV. Additionally, the proposed benzene biomonitoring may be useful in evaluating PPE effectiveness and use characteristics as well as dermal contribution to total exposure.</p>","PeriodicalId":83618,"journal":{"name":"AIHA journal : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":"64 5","pages":"625-9"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2003-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"24008169","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}