Occupational Exposures in an Equestrian Centre to Respirable Dust and Respirable Crystalline Silica

Abstract

Sand-based products are regularly used as footing material on indoor equestrian arenas, creating a potential occupational exposure risk for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) for equestrian workers training and exercising horses in these environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate an equestrian worker’s personal RCS and respirable dust (RD) exposure. Sixteen personal full-shift RD measurements were collected from an equestrian worker and analysed for RD, quartz and cristobalite. Geometric mean exposures of 0.12 mg m−3 and 0.02 mg m−3 were calculated for RD and RCS concentrations, respectively. RCS exposures of between 0.01 to 0.09 mg m−3 were measured on days when the indoor arena surface was not watered, compared to lower exposures (<LOD-0.03 mg m−3) on days when the indoor arena was watered (p < 0.01); however, manual watering is time intensive and less likely to be implemented in practice. This small-scale study provides new data on RCS and RD exposures among equestrian workers. RCS exposures are within the range considered to be associated with increased risk for lung cancer. The use of dust control solutions such as water suppression should be promoted for equestrian work in horse riding arenas. Equestrian workers need to receive occupational health training on the health risks associated with RCS exposure.

Human exposure to air contaminants in sports environments

“…Venable et al 151 showed that recycled rubber material can reduce particulate matter in the air during an indoor riding event when applied over the layer of sand. The personal exposure of an equestrian worker to crystalline silica and respirable dust was studied over 16 days by Bulfin et al 152 The concentrations measured over 8 hours per day resulted in time‐weighted averages of <0.01‐0.34 mg/m 3 for respirable dust (see Figure 1) and <0.01‐0.09 mg/m 3 for crystalline silica. The concentrations were lower on days when the arena was watered.…”

“…Concentrations of PM 10 and respirable dust in different sports environments. Fitness center: eleven facilities, range of PM 10 during the morning program 68 ; gymnasium: one facility, different types of activity, range of PM 10 ; 97 indoor climbing facility: nine facilities, range of PM 10 during periods of high activity 143 ; indoor riding arena: one facility, range of total suspended particles (TSP) 150 ; equestrian center: one facility (sixteen measurements), eight‐hour time‐weighted average (TWA) of respirable dust 152 ; go‐kart facility: eight facilities (spectators area), range of PM 10 maximum values during activity 158 ; indoor golf: sixty‐four facilities, range of PM 10 during activity 148 ; ice skating arena: four facilities, range of PM 10 concentrations during activities, including resurfacing 129,136 ; sports hall: three facilities, range of PM 10 concentrations during activities 211 …”

A 2019 Update on Occupational Lung Diseases: A Narrative Review

“…While recommending watering of arena grounds to reduce airborne particle exposure, the authors acknowledged this is a labor-intensive practice and therefore unlikely to be widely implemented. A comprehensive approach utilizing a group of efforts to reduce equestrian worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica and dust, such as occupational health training of these workers, is a more achievable solution [ 5 ].…”

Framing Future of Work Considerations through Climate and Built Environment Assessment of Volunteer Work Practices in the United States Equine Assisted Services

“…In more open settings, dust exposure is dependent on natural airflow and arena footing moisture content is different based on footing type, ambient temperature, and moisture [ 9 ]. In a prior study, exposure to respirable dust and respirable crystalline silica was increased when conditions external to the arena were dry and no water was applied to the footing surface [ 17 ]. Changes in ambient temperature were positively correlated with variability in dust concentrations in barns [ 26 ].…”

“…The permissible exposure limits (PELs) for respirable dust and silica are 50 mg/m 3 and 0.05 mg/m 3 over an 8 h time-weighted average, respectively [ 19 ]. Respirable silica concentrations measured during work tasks completed in an indoor arena ranged from 0.01 mg/m 3 to 0.09 mg/m 3 and concentrations exceeding the PELs were observed [ 17 ]. Respirable dust concentrations in barn/horse housing have also been reported from less than 1 mg/m 3 to over 15 mg/m 3 , with variability impacted by external door positions, method of sampling, time of day, presence of horse feedstuffs, and activity level in the space [ 12 , 18 ].…”