Exposure to Ski-Wax Smoke and Health Effects in Ski Waxers

Dahlqvist, Monica; Alexandersson, R; Andersson, Barbro; Andersson, Kerstin; Kolmodin-Hedman, B; Malker, Hans

doi:10.1080/1047322x.1992.10388070

Cited by 15 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…It has previously been reported that ski wax is a petroleum based product which contains various PFAS including linear hydrocarbons with 20-80 carbon atoms and peruoroalkanes with 12-24 carbon atoms where all hydrogen atoms are substituted by uorine. 9,10 Inhalation of uoropolymers and their pyrolysis products can cause alveolar edema, 11 polymer fume fever, commonly called Teon u, 12,13 severe dyspnea, decreased pulmonary function, 14 and respiratory distress syndrome. 2,4 The ski wax is applied to the skis using heat of approximately 130-220 C. [5][6][7][8] This process releases particles and vapors containing a blend of gaseous organouorine compounds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2,4 The ski wax is applied to the skis using heat of approximately 130-220 C. [5][6][7][8] This process releases particles and vapors containing a blend of gaseous organouorine compounds. 9,10 Inhalation of uoropolymers and their pyrolysis products can cause alveolar edema, 11 polymer fume fever, commonly called Teon u, 12,13 severe dyspnea, decreased pulmonary function, 14 and respiratory distress syndrome. 15 A Norwegian study showed that ski wax technicians experience a 25% decrease of lung function aer waxing skis; 16 data from a Swedish study showed decreased lung function aer 2-3 hours of exposure and 10-25% aer a week.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…15 A Norwegian study showed that ski wax technicians experience a 25% decrease of lung function aer waxing skis; 16 data from a Swedish study showed decreased lung function aer 2-3 hours of exposure and 10-25% aer a week. 14 PFAS is a group of environmental pollutants that are ubiquitous, bioaccumulative and persistent. They have wide commercial applications because of their chemical and thermal stability and are oen used when a dirt and water repelling surface is desired.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Professional ski waxers' exposure to PFAS and aerosol concentrations in gas phase and different particle size fractions

Nilsson

Kärrman

Rotander

et al. 2013

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts

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Previous reports show that professional ski waxers have elevated blood levels of perfluorinated substances (PFAS) such as perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and are exposed to very high concentrations of PFAS in air during ski waxing. Aerosol exposure increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, and PFOA is a potential hormonal disruptor and carcinogen, and can affect the fatty acid metabolism. Animal studies have shown that 8:2 FTOH can undergo biotransformation to PFOA. For the first time, this study presents an occupational scenario of professional ski waxers who are exposed to extremely high dust levels as well as per- and polyfluorinated compounds. Personal and fixed measurements of total aerosol, inhalable and respirable fractions were performed during World Cup events 2007-2010. The occupational exposure limit (OEL) is exceeded in 37% of the personal measurements with concentrations up to 15 mg m(-3) in air. There are differences between personal and area total aerosol concentrations with levels from personal measurements twice as high as those from the area measurements. The personal levels for FTOH ranged up to 996 μg m(-3) (mean = 114 μg m(-3)) and for PFOA up to 4.89 μg m(-3) (mean = 0.53 μg m(-3)) in ENV+ sorbent samples as compared to the general exposure levels from air reaching only low ng m(-3) (<30 ng m(-3)) levels. FTOHs were not detected in aerosols but PFOA showed an average level of 12 μg m(-3) (range = 1.2-47 μg m(-3)). The ski waxers' exposure to paraffin fumes and PFAS is not in compliance with the occupational exposure standards and by far exceed the general populations' exposure. Preventive measures must be taken to minimize the exposure in this occupational group.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Professional ski waxers' exposure to PFAS and aerosol concentrations in gas phase and different particle size fractions

Nilsson

Kärrman

Rotander

et al. 2013

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts

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“…Despite this potential, only a few small studies of exposure are available. Particle concentrations of up to 2.4 mg·m −3 by personal sampling during the melting of paraffin glide wax or up to 9.6 mg·m −3 during application of fluorine-containing glide waxes have been reported (Dahlqvist et al, 1992;Liesivuori et al, 1994). A larger model experiment study showed mass concentrations of up to 32.2 mg·m −3 in the inhalable aerosol fraction and particle number concentrations ranging from 650 000 to 900 000 particles·cm −3 with particle sizes ranging from 50 to 350 nm when applying PFA-based glide wax powders, respectively (Freberg et al, 2013).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Also reduced lung diffusion capacity for carbonmonoxide and pulmonary symptoms among a limited number of professional ski waxers have been reported (Dahlqvist et al, 1992;Knöpfli et al, 1992).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupational Exposure Assessment of Airborne Chemical Contaminants Among Professional Ski Waxers

Freberg

Olsen

Daae

et al. 2014

The Annals of Occupational Hygiene

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Background: Ski waxes are applied onto the skis to improve the performance. They contain different chemical substances, e.g. perfluoro-n-alkanes. Due to evaporation and sublimation processes as well as mechanically generated dust, vapours, fumes, and particulates can contaminate the workroom atmosphere. The number of professional ski waxers is increasing, but occupational exposure assessments among professional ski waxers are lacking.Objectives: The aim was to assess exposure to airborne chemical contaminants among professional ski waxers. It was also a goal to construct a ventilation system designed for ski waxing work operations.Methods: Forty-five professional ski waxers were included. Personal measurements of the inhalable and the respirable aerosol mass fractions were executed in 36 different waxing cabins using Conical Inhalable Sampler cassettes equipped with 37-mm PVC filters (5 µm) and Casella respirable cyclones equipped with 37-mm PVC filters (0.8 µm), respectively. Volatile organic components were collected using Anasorb CSC charcoal tubes. To examine time trends in exposure patterns, stationary real-time measurements of the aerosol mass fractions were conducted using a direct-reading Respicon® sampler. Results: Mean aerosol particle mass concentrations of 3.1 mg·m −3 (range: 0.2-12.0) and 6.2 mg·m

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