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Chhetry BSK, Dewangan KN, Kulkarni N. Respirable dust and crystalline silica exposure among rice mill workers of northeast India. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2024:1-11. [PMID: 39208406 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2024.2392811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Crystalline silica is a Group I lung carcinogen primarily known as a causative agent for silicosis. A study was performed to quantify respirable dust, and respirable crystalline silica (RCS) in the rice mills of northeast India. Seventy-two respirable dust samples were collected from the worker's breathing zone from four rice mills at three locations: feeding, sieving, and polishing sections for two paddy varieties: Ranjit and Sali. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), method #7602, was used to determine RCS. The results show that geometric mean TWA dust and RCS emissions in the rice mills varied from 3.97 to 455.00 mg/m3 and 0.02 to 5.38 mg/m3, respectively. RCS exposures were higher during milling of the Sali variety paddy (GM: 0.76 mg/m3) than the Ranjit variety paddy (GM: 0.25 mg/m3). Respirable dust and RCS emissions were considerably higher in the feeding and sieving sections than in the polishing section. Respirable dust and RCS exposure varied significantly (p < 0.001) with paddy variety. Respirable dust and RCS were highly correlated for different rice mills; however, the proportion of RCS in the dust was higher in the Sali variety paddy than in the Ranjit variety paddy. RCS exposure to the workers at the feeding and sieving sections was observed to be higher than the occupational exposure limits (OELs) published by Safe Work Australia, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and Factories Amendment Act, 1987, Government of India.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Surya Kumar Chhetry
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Nirjuli, Arunachal Pradesh, India
| | - K N Dewangan
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology, Nirjuli, Arunachal Pradesh, India
| | - Nikhil Kulkarni
- Chemical Sciences Division, ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
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Chang TY, Chen GY, Chen JJ, Young LH, Chang LT. Application of artificial intelligence algorithms and low-cost sensors to estimate respirable dust in the workplace. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 182:108317. [PMID: 37963425 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
The Internet of Things (IoT) and low-cost sensor technology have become common tools for environmental exposure monitoring; however, their application in measuring respirable dust (RD) in the workplace remains limited. This study aimed to develop a predictive model for RD using artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and low-cost sensors and subsequently assess its validity using a standard sampling approach. Various low-cost sensors were combined into an RD sensor module and mounted on a portable aerosol monitor (GRIMM 11-D) for two weeks. AI algorithms were used to capture data per minute over 14 days to establish predictive RD models. The best-fitting model was validated using an aluminum cyclone equipped with an air pump and polytetrafluoroethylene filters to sample the 8-hour RD for 5 days at an aircraft manufacturing company. This module was continuously monitored for two weeks to evaluate its stability. The RD concentration measured by GRIMM 11-D in a general outdoor environment over two weeks was 28.1 ± 16.1 μg/m3 (range: 2.4-85.3 μg/m3). Among the various established models, random forest regression was observed to have the best prediction capacity (R2 = 0.97 and root mean square error = 2.82 μg/m3) in comparison to the other 19 methods. Field-based validation revealed that the predicted RD concentration (35.9 ± 4.1 μg/m3, range: 32.7-42.9 μg/m3) closely approximated the results obtained by the traditional method (38.1 ± 8.9 μg/m3, range: 28.1-52.5 μg/m3), and a strong positive Spearman correlation was observed between the two (rs = 0.70). The average bias was -2.2 μg/m3 and the precision was 5.8 μg/m3, resulting in an accuracy of 6.2 μg/m3 (94.2 %). Data completeness was 99.7 % during the continuous two-week monitoring period. The developed sensor module of RD exhibited excellent predictive performance and good data stability that can be applied to exposure assessments in occupational epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ta-Yuan Chang
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Guan-Yu Chen
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Jie Chen
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Li-Hao Young
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Li-Te Chang
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Science, Feng Chia University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Khuniqi HN, Rasoulzadeh Y, Mohammadian Y. DNA damage in foundry workers using non-invasive micronucleus cytome assay. MUTATION RESEARCH. GENETIC TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MUTAGENESIS 2023; 891:503686. [PMID: 37770143 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2023.503686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Workers in the foundry industry are exposed to hazardous chemical agents such as metal fumes, gases, vapor of molten metal, and respirable dust and hazardous physical agents such as heat, noise, and electromagnetic fields. Co-exposures to hazardous physical and chemical agents in foundry workplaces may cause DNA damage in workers. This study aimed to evaluate DNA damage in foundry workers. Thirty-three exposed foundry workers as a exposure groups and 33 non-exposed individuals as a control groups participated in this study. Buccal micronucleus cytome (BMCyt assay) assay was used to assess DNA damage. Results showed that foundry workers were under exposure to hazardous chemical and physical agents such as metal fumes and noise. The percentage of micronucleus (MN) cells in exposure group (0.59 ± 0.93 %) were statistically higher than control group (0.23 ± 0.23 %) (P < 0.05) %). Also, the percentage of nuclear bud cells and binucleated cells in exposure group were statistically higher than control group (P < 0.05). The percentage of differentiated normal cells were significantly higher in the control group compared to the exposed group (P < 0.05). Foundry workers are at risk of DNA damage; therefore, prevention measures need to be implemented to reduce exposure to air pollutants in foundry workplaces.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yahya Rasoulzadeh
- Road Traffic Injury Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yousef Mohammadian
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Couture A, Charuvil Elizabeth RM, Lefsrud L, Sattari F. Evaluation of workplace exposure to respirable crystalline silica in road construction industries in Alberta. Toxicol Ind Health 2023:7482337231176602. [PMID: 37258490 DOI: 10.1177/07482337231176602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is common for several occupations in construction, not only because of its presence in many handling materials but also in processes such as grinding and sawing. This study investigated workplace exposure to RCS as quartz in industries and occupations within road construction in Alberta through the RCS monitoring database provided by the Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association (ARHCA) between 2007 and 2016. Descriptive statistics were calculated for exposure-related variables, and mixed model analysis was performed to determine factors affecting the exposure levels. Results showed that the highest exposed workers were in the sand and gravel industry (GM = 45 μg/m3). For worker occupations, geometric means ranged from 78 μg/m3 for crusher operators to 10 μg/m3 for concrete truck operators. The maximum exposure severity was 33.3 times the occupational exposure limit (OEL) for the sand and gravel and 31 times the OEL for tower operators. The results also showed the effect of seasonal variability on RCS exposure levels. The heterogeneous exposure results indicated significant room for improvement and that controls should focus more on the activity performed than the occupation to lower exposure to RCS levels in industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Couture
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Rose Marie Charuvil Elizabeth
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, School of Engineering Safety and Risk Management, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Lianne Lefsrud
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, School of Engineering Safety and Risk Management, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Fereshteh Sattari
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, School of Engineering Safety and Risk Management, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Margan A, Verlak D, Roj G, Fikfak MD. Occupational exposure to silica dust in Slovenia is grossly underestimated. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2022; 73:297-302. [PMID: 36607727 PMCID: PMC9985347 DOI: 10.2478/aiht-2022-73-3668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As a by-product or material used in various industries crystalline silica contaminates the air many occupational settings. If its fine particles are inhaled, they are deposited in the lungs and may cause the development of silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. The goal of this study was to estimate occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) in Slovenia and the associated health risks. To do that, we ran two cross-sectional studies, one to determine the number of workers at risk of occupational exposure to RCS in Slovene industries and the other to determine and classify changes in the lung radiographs of glass factory workers exposed to RCS, as a means to infer health risks for other RCS exposed workers in Slovenia. However, the first study shows that official public data on occupational exposure to silica in Slovenia are unreliable and incomplete and that company representatives strongly underestimate occupational exposure to silica. Measurements of total and silica dust are made by 8.3 % and 1.8 % of companies working with silica, respectively. The second study shows that about a third of the exposed workers had lung changes associated with silicosis. We have failed to achieve the goal of our study, as the obtained data are grossly underestimated and unreliable, but it has opened our eyes as to what needs to be improved. All companies need to systematically be informed about occupational health risks, field inspections need to be consistent, regular, and intensified, and health surveillance of all exposed workers implemented regularly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Margan
- Ljubljana University Medical Centre, Institute of Occupational, Traffic, and Sports Medicine, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Dominika Verlak
- Ptuj Medical Centre, Department of Occupational, Traffic, and Sports Medicine, Ptuj, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Roj
- Roj Private Medical Centre, Department of Occupational, Traffic, and Sports Medicine, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenia
| | - Metoda Dodič Fikfak
- Ljubljana University Medical Centre, Institute of Occupational, Traffic, and Sports Medicine, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Sahihazar ZM, Ghahramani A, Galvani S, Hajaghazadeh M. Probabilistic health risk assessment of occupational exposure to crystalline silica in an iron foundry in Urmia, Iran. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:82014-82029. [PMID: 35748987 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21487-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to quantify the exposure of foundry workers to crystalline silica and associated cancer and non-cancer health risks using a probabilistic approach. Breathing zone air samples were collected according to the NIOSH 7602 method and analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The health risks posed by crystalline silica were then assessed using the EPA-developed inhalation risk assessment model and Monte Carlo simulation. The sensitivity analysis was also conducted to determine the contribution of input parameters to the health risks. The mean concentration of crystalline silica in six foundry stations ranged from 0.029 to 0.064 mg m-3, exceeding the occupational exposure limits. The average values of cancer risks were greater than the USEPA level, i.e., 1E - 6 in all workstations of the foundry. Workers in sand preparation and molding stations suffered the greatest cancer risks, with the mean value of 2.35E - 5 and 2.10E - 5, respectively. Non-cancer hazard quotient exceeded 1 in all foundry stations ranging from 1.56 (in melting and pouring) to 3.37 (in sand preparation). The 95% upper-bound values of the health risks decreased by 77.52% and 56.77%, assuming the use of engineering controls and wearing respirators by workers, respectively. Sensitivity analyses indicate that concentration was the most sensitive factor contributing to the carcinogenic (46.13%) and non-carcinogenic (67.08%) risks. These findings can aid managers in gaining a better understanding of the silica risks faced by foundry workers and the role of engineering controls and respirators in protecting workers' health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Moutab Sahihazar
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Ghahramani
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Sadjad Galvani
- Department of Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical, and Computer Engineering, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hajaghazadeh
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
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Farhangian M, Dehghan SF, Jafari MJ, Pirposhteh EA, Khalilinejad A, Tavakol E. Feasibility study on the application of electrospun nanofiber webs for the air sampling of crystalline silica. INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 2021; 59:415-426. [PMID: 34588378 PMCID: PMC8655750 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2020-0236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to first fabricate an electrospun PVC nanofiber web and then assess its applicability in sampling and measuring the concentration of airborne crystalline silica by comparing analysis results with a commercial PVC membrane filter under different ranges of airborne silica concentration. A filtration performance comparison was also made between an electrospun PVC web with nano-sized fibers and a commercial PVC membrane filter. Overall, the measured concentration of silica by the electrospun webs was 1.022 times higher than that of the commercial PVC filter in all studied ranges of silica concentration and the nanofiber media had higher filtration efficiency and lower pressure drop compared to the PVC membrane filter. This can be considered to be due to the lower fiber diameter and greater porosity (obtained from the 2D SEM image) of the electrospun nanofiber webs. This makes them suited for air pollutant sampling and determining its airborne concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohadese Farhangian
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety at Work, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Somayeh Farhang Dehghan
- Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Jafari
- Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Center (SPIPRC), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Elham Akhlaghi Pirposhteh
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety at Work, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Amin Khalilinejad
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety at Work, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Elaheh Tavakol
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety at Work, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
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Kuijpers E, van Wel L, Loh M, Galea KS, Makris KC, Stierum R, Fransman W, Pronk A. A Scoping Review of Technologies and Their Applicability for Exposome-Based Risk Assessment in the Oil and Gas Industry. Ann Work Expo Health 2021; 65:1011-1028. [PMID: 34219141 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxab039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Oil and gas workers have been shown to be at increased risk of chronic diseases including cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hearing loss, among others. Technological advances may be used to assess the external (e.g. personal sensors, smartphone apps and online platforms, exposure models) and internal exposome (e.g. physiologically based kinetic modeling (PBK), biomonitoring, omics), offering numerous possibilities for chronic disease prevention strategies and risk management measures. The objective of this study was to review the literature on these technologies, by focusing on: (i) evaluating their applicability for exposome research in the oil and gas industry, and (ii) identifying key challenges that may hamper the successful application of such technologies in the oil and gas industry. METHOD A scoping review was conducted by identifying peer-reviewed literature with searches in MEDLINE/PubMed and SciVerse Scopus. Two assessors trained on the search strategy screened retrieved articles on title and abstract. The inclusion criteria used for this review were: application of the aforementioned technologies at a workplace in the oil and gas industry or, application of these technologies for an exposure relevant to the oil and gas industry but in another occupational sector, English language and publication period 2005-end of 2019. RESULTS In total, 72 articles were included in this scoping review with most articles focused on omics and bioinformatics (N = 22), followed by biomonitoring and biomarkers (N = 20), external exposure modeling (N = 11), PBK modeling (N = 10), and personal sensors (N = 9). Several studies were identified in the oil and gas industry on the application of PBK models and biomarkers, mainly focusing on workers exposed to benzene. The application of personal sensors, new types of exposure models, and omics technology are still in their infancy with respect to the oil and gas industry. Nevertheless, applications of these technologies in other occupational sectors showed the potential for application in this sector. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION New exposome technologies offer great promise for personal monitoring of workers in the oil and gas industry, but more applied research is needed in collaboration with the industry. Current challenges hindering a successful application of such technologies include (i) the technological readiness of sensors, (ii) the availability of data, (iii) the absence of standardized and validated methods, and (iv) the need for new study designs to study the development of disease during working life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Miranda Loh
- Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), Edinburgh, UK
| | - Karen S Galea
- Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), Edinburgh, UK
| | - Konstantinos C Makris
- Cyprus International Institute for Environmental and Public Health, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
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Sager TM, Roberts JR, Umbright CM, Barger M, Kashon ML, Fedan JS, Joseph P. Biological effects of inhaled hydraulic fracturing sand dust. V. Pulmonary inflammatory, cytotoxic and oxidant effects. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 408:115280. [PMID: 33065154 PMCID: PMC7748298 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The pulmonary inflammatory response to inhalation exposure to a fracking sand dust (FSD 8) was investigated in a rat model. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed by whole-body inhalation to air or an aerosol of a FSD, i.e., FSD 8, at concentrations of 10 or 30 mg/m3, 6 h/d for 4 d. The control and FSD 8-exposed rats were euthanized at post-exposure time intervals of 1, 7 or 27 d and pulmonary inflammatory, cytotoxic and oxidant responses were determined. Deposition of FSD 8 particles was detected in the lungs of all the FSD 8-exposed rats. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage parameters of toxicity, oxidant generation, and inflammation did not reveal any significant persistent pulmonary toxicity in the FSD 8-exposed rats. Similarly, the lung histology of the FSD 8-exposed rats showed only minimal changes in influx of macrophages following the exposure. Determination of global gene expression profiles detected statistically significant differential expressions of only six and five genes in the 10 mg/m3, 1-d post-exposure, and the 30 mg/m3, 7-d post-exposure FSD 8 groups, respectively. Taken together, data obtained from the present study demonstrated that FSD 8 inhalation exposure resulted in no statistically significant toxicity or gene expression changes in the lungs of the rats. In the absence of any information about its potential toxicity, a comprehensive rat animal model study (see Fedan, J.S., Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 000, 000-000, 2020) has been designed to investigate the bioactivities of several FSDs in comparison to MIN-U-SIL® 5, a respirable α-quartz reference dust used in previous animal models of silicosis, in several organ systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina M Sager
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States of America.
| | - Jenny R Roberts
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States of America
| | - Christina M Umbright
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States of America
| | - Mark Barger
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States of America
| | - Michael L Kashon
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey S Fedan
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States of America
| | - Pius Joseph
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505, United States of America
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