Dose–response relationships between occupational exposure to potash, diesel exhaust and nitrogen oxides and lung function: cross-sectional and longitudinal study in two salt mines

Abstract

The effects found in both mines indicate that the mixed exposure can cause lung function disorders in salt miners exposed over a long time. Because of the high correlation of the concentrations it was not possible to determine the effects of a single exposure component separately or to recommend a specific occupational exposure limit. However, possible maximum effects associated with the mixed exposure can be evaluated in the ranges of concentrations of the individual substances in the mines.

Exposure assessment for nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide in German hard coal mining

“…This indicates a somewhat higher exposure in potash mining compared to what we found. Lotz et al (2008) consequently report considerably higher cumulative doses for NO 2 and NO compared to what we found (see Table 9). For the two mines in their study, they report cumulative doses for NO 2 of 182.6 and 230.1 ppm £ months and 343.6 and 494 ppm £ months for NO.…”

“…A further interesting comparison should be possible with a recent extensive measurement campaign in German potash mining (Lotz et al 2008;Dahmann et al 2007). For a large scale longitudinal study in two diVerent potash mines, several hundred shift concentration measurements could be performed for nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide in addition to several airborne particulate components.…”

Effect of dust exposure and nitrogen oxides on lung function parameters of German coalminers: a longitudinal study applying GEE regression 1974–1998

“…Consequently, the slight declines in lung function parameters described in a current study from German potash mines (Lotz et al 2008) could not be conWrmed in this coalminer cohort study. In this investigation, however, the nitrogen oxide exposures were clearly lower than in potash mining (Dahmann et al 2009).…”

“…In this investigation, however, the nitrogen oxide exposures were clearly lower than in potash mining (Dahmann et al 2009). In contrast to the study on potash miners (Lotz et al 2008), this study was able to separate the inXuence of NO x exposure from the dust exposures by regression modeling. In contrast to the potash miner study, the distinction of eVects was possible in this study because of the clearly diVerent sources of exposure to NO x and exposure to dust in hard coal mines.…”

Personal Exposure to Metal Fume, NO2, and O3 among Production Welders and Non-welders

“…Nitrogen dioxide is also produced during welding and during most combustion processes where high temperatures can oxidize atmospheric nitrogen. The pulmonary health effects associated with nitrogen dioxide exposure have been documented as lung function disorders from diesel exhaust exposure 29) and decrements in peak expiratory flow rate from welding fume exposure 30) .…”