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Abstract

Introduction
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is a risk agent with known effects well correlated with exposure levels in the building sector. The aim of this work was to evaluate the trend in the last 20 years of RCS exposure levels in two companies operating in glass plate production and in cement production.


Methodology
The personal exposure data of 54 workers from a company producing glass plate and 76 workers from a company producing cement were analysed. The quantification of the SCR exposure levels was carried out by the respirable dust monitoring and the subsequent X-ray diffractometric analysis. The exposure levels were compared with the ACGIH, SCOEL and Italian occupational limit values.


Results
RCS exposure levels were in the range <0.004-0.074 mg/m3. Only two personal exposure levels (0.054 mg/m3 and 0.074 mg/m3), found at the glass plate production company were higher than ACGIH TLV-TWA and the SCOEL exposure limit. A reduction of personal RCS exposure was observed across the years in the glass plate production company, instead in the cement production company the personal RCS levels were almost constant. The tasks characterized by the highest levels of exposure to RCS were the oven maintenance workers in the glass plate production company and the grindings raw materials workers in the cement production company (mean 0.015 mg/m3 and 0.009 mg/m3 respectively).


Conclusions
This study revealed how exposure levels in the companies studied remained constant or decreased over time. In light of the most recent data, we underline the importance of carrying out periodic monitoring investigations in order to protect the health of workers.

Abstract

Introduction
Desflurane, sevoflurane and isoflurane are halogenated anaesthetics used in human and animal surgery. The airborne dispersion of volatile anaesthetics during surgical procedures gives rise to some unavoidable exposure of the operating room personnel. The aim of this study was to evaluate the exposure to anaesthetics gases of personnel of operating rooms by environmental and biological monitoring.


Methodology
The study was carried out on 176 workers involved in human (n. 167) and animal (n. 9) surgery. Personal exposure was measured using the diffusive air sampler Radiello placed near the breathing zone (only 68 subjects). At the end of the work shift (lasting at least 4 h) a urine sample from each subject was collected to measure the anaesthetic gases concentration. All analysis were performed by HS-GC-MS.


Results
Personal environmental exposure to sevoflurane, desflurane and isoflurane was in the range <0.003-1.214 ppm, 0.035-0.253 ppm and 1.371-5.034 ppm, respectively. Urinary concentrations were in the range <0.1-5.2 µg/L for sevoflurane, <0.1-2.2 µg/L for desflurane and 29.7-40.1 µg/L for isoflurane. The anaesthetic gases exposure of workers in human surgery was low. Higher exposure levels were found for the personnel performing surgery on animals, in particular for isoflurane (used only for animal surgery) where, in some cases, the levels were above 2 ppm (occupational limit value recommended by NIOSH for halogenated anaesthetics). This result, even if is based on few data could be due to the physical characteristics of patients (horses), the quantity of anaesthetics used, surgical procedures and scavenging methods.

Abstract

Introduction
Clusters of silicosis cases related to the fabrication of quartz conglomerate products and accessories for the furnishing of kitchens and bathrooms are recently reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the exposure to airborne respirable dust and crystalline silica (RCS) in a company specialized in the production of quartz conglomerates countertops and to investigate the effectiveness of introduced preventive measures (wet finishing, increasing of exhaust ventilation, closing in cabins some of the sanding and finishing operations).


Materials and Methods
The study was carried out on 51 workers involved in cutting and finishing operations in four facilities. Exposure to respirable dust was evaluated using GS3 cyclones positioned at the breathing zone level for the entire duration of the work shift. RCS content was measured by X-ray diffractometric analysis.


Results and Discussion
Respirable dust levels were in the range 0.046-1.154 mg/m3 (mean 0.160 mg/m3) with RCS levels within the range <0.003-0.098 mg/m3 (mean 0.022 mg/m3). All RCS levels were lower than the Italian OEL of 0.100 mg/m3 and the 22% above the more restrictive ACGIH-TLV of 0.025 mg/m3. Statistically higher levels were found in correspondence with finishing operations than in cut operations (p<0.05) and during dry operations than in wet (p=0.02). RCS levels were lower than those found in the past before the introduction of preventive technical measures where RCS levels were up to 0.744 mg/m3. Although there was a decisive reduction in exposure levels compared to what was observed in the past, the data still showed a risk condition for some activities. Board of the Italian Association of Industrial Hygienists (AIDII). Her scientific activity is documented by over 80 printed publications both as articles in Journals and contributions to National Congresses.

The adverse effects associated with exposure to flour dust have been known since the 1700s. The aim of the study was to assess the occupational exposure to flour dust in Italian facilities, identify the activities characterized by the highest exposure, and provide information to reduce workers' exposure. The study was performed in different facilities such as flourmills (n = 2), confectioneries (n = 2), bakeries (n = 24), and pizzerias (n = 2). Inhalable flour dust was assessed by personal and area samplings (n = 250) using IOM (Institute of Occupational Medicine) samplers. The results showed personal occupational exposure to flour dust over the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygiene (ACGIH) and the Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limit (SCOEL) occupational limits (mean 1.987 mg/m(3); range 0.093–14.055 mg/m(3)). The levels were significantly higher for dough makers in comparison to the dough formers and packaging area subjects. In four bakeries the industrial hygiene surveys were re-performed after some control measures, such as installation of a sleeve to the end of pipeline, a lid on the mixer tub or local exhaust ventilation system, were installed. The exposure levels were significantly lower than those measured before the introduction of control measures. The exposure level reduction was observed not only in the dough making area but also in all bakeries locals.