Suchergebnisse

Stosowanie nanomateriałów w różnych dziedzinach krajowej gospodarki z jednej strony przyczynia się do wytwarzania produktów ułatwiających życie człowieka i do poprawy komfortu tego życia, z drugiej zaś, w przypadku nieprawidłowego zarządzania ryzykiem, może powodować zagrożenie dla zdrowia pracowników. Z tego względu konieczne jest identyfikowanie, ocenianie i ograniczanie zagrożenia związanego z narażeniem pracowników na te niebezpieczne materiały. Przedstawione w artykule szacunkowe metody oceny ryzyka zawodowego są obecnie jedynym rozwiązaniem umożliwiającym prawidłowe zarządzanie ryzykiem stwarzanym przez projektowane nanomateriały (ENMs) i podejmowanie odpowiednich działań w celu ograniczenia zagrożeń. Wdrożenie tych metod umożliwi polskim pracodawcom dostosowanie się do zaleceń wynikających z dyrektywy 98/24 EC w obszarze zarządzania ryzykiem zawodowym związanym z tymi specyficznymi substancjami chemicznymi.
Podstawowymi rozwiązaniami problemu oceny ryzyka zawodowego stwarzanego przez nanomateriały są metody control banding (metody CB), uwzględniające właściwości fizykochemiczne i specyfikę oddziaływania nanocząstek na żywe organizmy. Metody te są coraz powszechniej stosowane w państwach UE, w USA i Kanadzie, a także zalecane przez Międzynarodową Organizację Pracy, Światową Organizację Zdrowia oraz Europejską Agencję Bezpieczeństwa i Zdrowia w Pracy.

AbstractPhthalate esters (PAEs) are endocrine disrupters and can disrupt the functioning of different hormones, causing adverse effects on human health. Due to the potential exposure to phthalates in office rooms, their concentrations in the air of these premises after their renovation and furnishing were determined. The aim of the study was to determine the content of these compounds in the gas phase and adsorbed on the particles. Thus, the combined sampler with filters and adsorption tube was used for air sampling. Samples were analyzed by GC-MS. The gas fraction was dominated by dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), and the inhalable fraction by dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and 2-(diethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The total concentration of phthalates in the respirable fraction in the furnished rooms was as much as 92% of the phthalates determined in the inhalable fraction. In the rooms immediately after renovation and those arranged and used by employees for 7 months, their concentration in the respirable fraction did not exceed 25% of the phthalates in the inhalable fraction. Phthalate concentration in the renovated rooms after 7 months of their usage dropped by 84% in relation to PAEs concentration in newly arranged rooms and by 68% in relation to the phthalate concentration in empty rooms.

The commercially available filtering half masks designed to protect against smog do not meet the requirements for protection against aerosols (dusts, fumes), and even more so, against chemical substances found in the smog; often do not have the CE marking. The article presents legal requirements and presents the basic methods for assessment the effectiveness of such half masks, so that it is a safe for a potential user. The influence of the half mask construction on the protective and functional parameters was described. It is very important to use adequate filtering half mask with CE mark when so-called Smog is present in the atmospheric air.

Among the forms of crystalline silica (silicon dioxide minerals) that are most common in the natural and work environments are quartz and cristobalite. They are used in various industries, including in the ceramics, glass and construction industries and pose a serious health risk to workers. The respirable of crystalline silica (RCS), which penetrates into the gas exchange area of the lungs causes chronic inflammatory reactions, followed by fibrotic changes in the lung tissue and, as a result, silicosis pneumoconiosis, often leading to lung cancer. Both employers and health and safety managers have great difficulties with the interpretation and application of legal provisions concerning the measurement of RCS concentrations (for the purpose of occupational exposure assessment) and the classification of work involving exposure to respirable dust generated during technological processes. The information in this article should help you resolve these issues.