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Maciejewska M, Przybyła M, Szczurek A. Aerosol penetration study for FFP2 half masks regarding protection against diesel particles in underground mines. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2023; 20:480-492. [PMID: 37656966 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2023.2238022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Filtering facepieces (FFP), mainly class FFP2 particle half masks (EN 149:2001#x02009;+ A1:2009), are commonly used in European mines to protect workers from respirable dust, especially from particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of 4 µm or less (PM4). The aerosol associated with diesel exhaust (DE) is dominated by submicrometer particles (with a diameter of less than 1 µm) and nanoparticles (size in the range between 10 and 500 nm). In the European Union (EU), the occupational exposure level (OEL) for DE has been defined in terms of elemental carbon (EC) concentration. Based on measurements in underground mines, on average, 60% of EC associated with PM4 was contained in PM with a diameter of 1 µm or less (PM1). Particle number size distribution (PNSD) of PM1 showed that the most numerous were particles in the size range of 20 to 300 nm. Four popular types of certified FFP2 half masks were tested for penetration. Brand new and thermally conditioned masks of each type were included in the study. NaCl aerosol in the particle size range of 7 to 270 nm was used for tests. Filtration efficiencies of 98.5% (median) or higher were achieved. Aerosol penetration was a function of particle size. Maximum penetration was observed between 20 and 60 nm, depending on the type of mask. During filtration, aerosol characteristics changed. Nanoparticles ranging in size from 7 to about 60 nm were removed to a very limited extent. The change was more noticeable for brand-new masks compared to the thermally conditioned ones. Usually, aerosol penetration through thermally conditioned masks was lower and more consistent. It was confirmed that the half masks of the FFP2 class are capable of filtering submicrometer aerosol in particle size range 7 to 270 nm with an efficiency exceeding 96% and can contribute to achieving compliance with the OEL for DE in the mining sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Maciejewska
- Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Marcin Przybyła
- Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
- Centrum Badań Jakości sp. z o. o., Capital Group KGHM Polska Miedź S.A, Lubin, Poland
| | - Andrzej Szczurek
- Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland
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Nie W, Liu X, Peng H, Liu C, Hua Y, Guo L. Numerically simulated behavior of diesel particulate matter emitted by hydraulic support transporters. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:3166-3181. [PMID: 35941507 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22062-4] [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: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
WC55-Y hydraulic support transporters allow an efficient transport of support equipment in fully mechanized mining faces. However, the diesel particulate matter (DPM) emitted by these transporters seriously pollutes the air environment along mine roadways, endangering the health of coal mine workers. In this paper, we simulated the diffusion dispersion of DPM during the functioning of a WC55-Y hydraulic support transporter (emitting high amounts of exhaust pollutants) by computational fluid dynamics, identifying high DPM concentration zones. While the transporter was driven along a coal auxiliary transportation roadway, the diffusion-dispersion characteristics of DPM changed: DPM reached a long horizontal diffusion distance and a high concentration. We found that to avoid the inhalation of DPM and reduce its potential harm, coal mine workers should keep a distance of at least 21.27 m from the hydraulic support transporter while the vehicle runs along the roadway. Moreover, according to our simulation, the operators responsible for disassembling the hydraulic support transporter should wear protective equipment with good filterability while unloading it. Overall, the findings of this study can be applied to outline new work practice guidelines and design new optimum auxiliary ventilation for reducing underground miner exposure to DPM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Nie
- College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266590, Shandong Province, China
- State Key Laboratory of Mining Disaster Prevention and Control Co-Found By Shandong, Shandong Province and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266590, Shandong Province, China
| | - Xiaofei Liu
- College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266590, Shandong Province, China
- State Key Laboratory of Mining Disaster Prevention and Control Co-Found By Shandong, Shandong Province and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266590, Shandong Province, China
- Licheng Urban Development Group, Jinan, 250109, Shandong Province, China
| | - Huitian Peng
- College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266590, Shandong Province, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Mining Disaster Prevention and Control Co-Found By Shandong, Shandong Province and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266590, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Chengyi Liu
- College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266590, Shandong Province, China
- State Key Laboratory of Mining Disaster Prevention and Control Co-Found By Shandong, Shandong Province and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266590, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yun Hua
- College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266590, Shandong Province, China
- State Key Laboratory of Mining Disaster Prevention and Control Co-Found By Shandong, Shandong Province and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266590, Shandong Province, China
| | - Lidian Guo
- College of Safety and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266590, Shandong Province, China
- State Key Laboratory of Mining Disaster Prevention and Control Co-Found By Shandong, Shandong Province and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266590, Shandong Province, China
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Rumchev K, Van Hoang D, Lee AH. Exposure to dust and respiratory health among Australian miners. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2023; 96:355-363. [PMID: 36089622 PMCID: PMC9968258 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-022-01922-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Occupational exposure to dust has been recognised as a significant health hazard to mine workers. This study aimed to investigate the association between exposure to inhalable (INH) and respirable (RES) dust and respiratory health among mine workers in Western Australia using an industry-wide exposure database. METHODS The database comprised cross-sectional surveys conducted by mining companies for the period 2001-2012. The study population consisted of 12,797 workers who were monitored for exposure to INH and RES dust and undertook health assessments including a respiratory questionnaire and spirometry test. RESULTS Despite the general trend of declining exposure to both INH and RES dust observed over the 12 years period, mine workers reported a higher prevalence of phlegm and cough when exposed to elevated concentrations of INH and RES dust. Logistic regression analysis further confirmed the positive association between INH dust exposure and the prevalence of phlegm with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.033 (95% CI 1.012-1.052). Overall, 6.3% of miners might have potential airway obstruction, and exposure to INH dust was associated with impaired lung function parameters. CONCLUSION Exposure levels of INH and RES dust particles among mine workers have reduced considerably and were well below currently legislated occupational exposure limits. However, given the reported higher prevalence of phlegm and cough among those with elevated dust concentrations, there is a continued need for effective dust exposure monitoring and control in the mineral mining industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krassi Rumchev
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
| | - Dong Van Hoang
- National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Andy H. Lee
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
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Rumchev K, Hoang DV, Lee A. Case Report: Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica and Respiratory Health Among Australian Mine Workers. Front Public Health 2022; 10:798472. [PMID: 35769775 PMCID: PMC9234445 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.798472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is common in a range of industries, including mining, and has been associated with adverse health effects such as silicosis, lung cancer, and non-malignant respiratory diseases. This study used a large population database of 6,563 mine workers from Western Australia who were examined for personal exposure to RCS between 2001 and 2012. A standardized respiratory questionnaire was also administered to collect information related to their respiratory health. Logistic regression analyses were performed to ascertain the association between RCS concentrations and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among mine workers. The estimated exposure levels of RCS (geometric mean 0.008mg/m3, GSD 4.151) declined over the study period (p < 0.001) and were below the exposure standard of 0.05 mg/m3. Miners exposed to RCS had a significantly higher prevalence of phlegm (p = 0.017) and any respiratory symptom (p = 0.013), even at concentrations within the exposure limit. Miners are susceptible to adverse respiratory health effects at low levels of RCS exposure. More stringent prevention strategies are therefore recommended to protect mine workers from RCS exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krassi Rumchev
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
- *Correspondence: Krassi Rumchev
| | - Dong Van Hoang
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Center for Clinical Sciences, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Andy Lee
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
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