Background: Particle size affects the performance of personal air samplers used to measure dust exposure in the workplace. Few field studies have been conducted for comparing the performance of personal inhalable samplers. Objective: To compare wood dust sampling with two inhalable samplers: IOM (Institute of Occupational Medicine) and Italian cone. Methods: 136 Italian cone/IOM paired samples and 136 passive IOM samples were collected in 30 Italian woodworking industries. The valid number of sample pairs was 114. Ultra-large particles were collected by passive IOM. The sampling membranes were weighed and the size particles were measured. Mass differences in active and passive IOM samples were calculated (IOM-Δ). Results: Statistical analysis of all 114 Italian cone/active IOM paired results showed a significant mass difference (P < 0.05) and no significant mass difference for sanding and cutting woodworking processes. The Italian cone/IOM-Δ paired results consistently showed no statistically significant mass differences in any woodworking processes. Both samplers performed similarly when ultra-large particles mass contribution was not considered. Conclusions: These findings confirm the presence of ultra-large particles in woodworking. The Italian cone and IOM samplers can be used interchangeably for personal wood dust exposure assessment, when the wood activities produce small-size particles.
Despite Italy banning use and production of asbestos in 1992, it continues to represent a risk to human health due to its permanence in the places where it was located. The aim of this work is to estimate how many schools in Rome (Italy) have asbestos containing materials (ACM), and to assess whether the location, condition and nature of ACM can influence the level of risk for student health. 3,672 schools were contacted and 1,451 participated to asbestos survey. 692 bulk samples were collected and analyzed by optical and electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. About 16% of the surveyed schools had ACM. Most of the ACM were not accessible to students (water tanks, boiler thermal insulations). Asbestos-cement materials and vinyl floor tiles were the most common non-friable materials found in schools and equipment insulation linings and Bunsen burner gauze mats were the friable ACM found in science laboratories. Measures to prevent or reduce asbestos hazards were applied where necessary. This study allowed to develop the awareness of the asbestos health hazard among headteachers and the need to manage these hazards appropriately. It represents the beginning of a larger study leading to ACM national mapping in schools.
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