introduction: exposure to flour dust is an important risk factor in occurrence of allergic airway disorders among mill workers. the purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and its relation with exposure to respirable dust. materials and methods: in this study, all of 35 workers who worked in the flour producing section of three factories were chosen as case...

The vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana, was in operation for over 70 yr and was contaminated with asbestos-like amphibole fibers. The mining, processing, and shipping of this vermiculite led to significant fiber inhalation exposure throughout the community, and residents of Libby have developed numerous pulmonary diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. The present study describes the sep...

In this laboratory study, four drywall sanding tools were evaluated in terms of dust generation rates in the respirable and thoracic size classes. In a repeated measures study design, 16 participants performed simulated drywall finishing tasks with each of four tools: (1) ventilated sander, (2) pole sander, (3) block sander, and (4) wet sponge. Dependent variables of interest were thoracic and ...

Indoor air pollution has caused increasing concern in recent years. As we spend most of our lives indoors, it is crucial to understand the health effects caused by indoor air pollution. Household dust serve as good proxy for accessing indoor air pollution, especially smaller dust particles that can pass into the lungs are of interest. In this study we present an efficient method for the isolati...

OBJECTIVES To quantify personal time-weighted average respirable dust and quartz exposure on a sandy, a sandy loam, and a clay soil farm in the Free State and North West provinces of South Africa and to ascertain whether soil type is a determinant of exposure to respirable quartz. METHODS Three farms, located in the Free State and North West provinces of South Africa, had their soil type conf...

Aerosols are among the most important of atmospheric pollutants observed like the microscopic particulate matter in the lower parts of the troposphere. The main purpose of this study is introducing a new method based on satellite images processing results and nonlinear analysis (fractal based) to investigate the origin and dynamical mechanism of aerosols distribution in North Africa and the Mid...

OBJECTIVES To explore the effects of various factors related to the industry, the contaminant, and the period and type of sampling on long term declining trends in occupational exposure. METHODS Linear regression analyses were used to assess the relation between reductions in exposure and geographical location, industrial sector, type of contaminant, type of monitoring, carcinogenic classific...

It is widely recognised that the increasing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane can potentially drive a significant warming process of the earth’s climate. However, a topic of more recent attention is the possibility that increased atmospheric concentrations of aerosol particles might drive a significant radiative forcing process of the planet (see,...

ROBERT A. HANEY Mine Safety and Health Administration, Pittsburgh Health Technology Center The effectiveness of these dust control techniques has been evaluated primarily through the use of instantaneous dust measurements. These instantaneous dust measurements give a relative indication of whether dust control and -------------------~ employee exposure improve or deteriorate. Because the instan...