Peak Inhalation Exposure Metrics Used in Occupational Epidemiologic and Exposure Studies

Virji, M. Abbas; Kurth, Laura

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2020.611693

Cited by 13 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 191 publications

(129 reference statements)

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“…Different evaluation indices have been proposed to measure the exposure to particulate matter in the breathing zone. The authors 71 did not consider the peak exposure and assumed that the release of particulate matter was a slow process. The average or cumulative exposure index was used to measure the impact of particulate matter on human health.(1) Personal exposure effectiveness…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of human thermal plume and its influence on the inhalation exposure to particulate matter

Zong

Liu

et al. 2022

Indoor and Built Environment

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This paper reviews studies on the human thermal plume and its influence on the inhalation exposure to particulate matter in the breathing zone under different conditions. The human thermal plume transports particle pollutants from the floor to the breathing zone, increasing the inhaled particulate matter concentration. The concentration can be four times higher than that in the ambient environment. Studies have reported that the human thermal plume may prevent particulate matter from entering the breathing zone under specific conditions. Indoor airflow patterns significantly affect the dispersion of pollutants, especially in rooms equipped with displacement ventilation at low airflow velocities. It has been shown that the particle concentration is two times lower in the breathing zone of a rotating manikin than a static manikin. Understanding the characteristics and influencing factors of the human thermal plume is crucial to formulate measures to mitigate the inhalation exposure to particulate matter, achieve independent and personalized control of the human microenvironment, and create a healthy, intelligent and energy-saving indoor environment.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of human thermal plume and its influence on the inhalation exposure to particulate matter

Zong

Liu

et al. 2022

Indoor and Built Environment

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“…Assessing the potential for occupational exposures to chemicals from an emission source can be more accurately approximated using a two-zone, near field/far field model, which accounts for incomplete mixing of air ( 31 ). Peak exposures at the emission source should be considered in epidemiologic and exposure studies because high concentration exposures for short durations can potentially overwhelm the body's natural defense mechanisms against adverse health effects ( 32 ). Near field/far field models are more realistic of these peak exposures when considering the employee may be near the emission source and exposed to higher concentrations, then move away from the emission source thus decreasing exposure.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Model Predictions of Occupational Exposures to Diacetyl and 2,3-Pentanedione Emitted From Roasted Whole Bean and Ground Coffee: Influence of Roast Level and Physical Form on Specific Emission Rates

LeBouf

Ranpara

Fernández

et al. 2022

Front. Public Health

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Roasted coffee emits hazardous volatile organic compounds including diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione. Workers in non-flavored coffee roasting and packaging facilities might inhale diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione from roasted coffee above occupational exposure limits depending on their work activities and proximity to the source of emissions. Objectives of this laboratory study were to: (1) investigate factors affecting specific emission rates (SERs) of diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione from freshly roasted coffee, (2) explore the effect of time on SERs of coffee stored in sealed bags for 10-days, and (3) predict exposures to workers in hypothetical workplace scenarios. Two roast levels (light and dark) and three physical forms (whole bean, coarse ground, and fine ground) were investigated. Particle size for whole bean and ground coffee were analyzed using geometric mean of Feret diameter. Emitted chemicals were collected on thermal desorption tubes and quantified using mass spectrometry analysis. SERs developed here coupled with information from previous field surveys provided model input to estimate worker exposures during various activities using a probabilistic, near-field/far-field model. For freshly roasted coffee, mean SER of diacetyl and 2,3-pentantedione increased with decreasing particle size of the physical form (whole bean < coarse ground < fine ground) but was not consistent with roast levels. SERs from freshly roasted coffee increased with roast level for diacetyl but did not change for 2,3-pentanedione. Mean SERs were greatest for diacetyl at 3.60 mg kg−1 h−1 for dark, fine ground and for 2,3-pentanedione at 3.88 mg kg−1 h−1 for light, fine ground. For storage, SERs of whole bean remained constant while SERs of dark roast ground coffee decreased and light roast ground coffee increased. Modeling demonstrated that near-field exposures depend on proximity to the source, duration of exposure, and air velocities in the near-field further supporting previously reported chemical air measurements in coffee roasting and packaging facilities. Control of source emissions using local exhaust ventilation especially around grinding activities as well as modification of work practices could be used to reduce exposures in this workforce.

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“…The investigations focused on characterizing both long-term average exposures and high-intensity, short-duration “peak” exposures to diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione, because these exposures may be associated with small airways damage related to OB; peak exposures can potentially overwhelm the capacity of normal defense mechanisms and induce adverse health effects ( 31 , 32 ). Peak exposures to diacetyl have been documented in the microwave popcorn industry and at the sentinel coffee facility and may have contributed to disease in OB cases with relatively lower average exposures ( 28 , 33 , 34 ); the role of peak exposure is asthma is also well recognized ( 35 ), though relevant exposure to asthmagens such as green coffee dust and allergens could not be assessed quantitatively due to limited time and resources.…”

Section: Methods and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Strategy for Field Evaluations of Exposures and Respiratory Health of Workers at Small- to Medium-Sized Coffee Facilities

Virji

Cummings

Cox‐Ganser

2021

Front. Public Health

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Coffee production is a global industry with roasteries throughout the world. Workers in this industry are exposed to complex mixtures of gases, dusts, and vapors including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, coffee dust, allergens, alpha-diketones, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Adverse respiratory health outcomes such as respiratory symptoms, reduced pulmonary function, asthma, and obliterative bronchiolitis can occur among exposed workers. In response to health hazard evaluations requests received from 17 small- to medium-sized coffee facilities across the United States, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conducted investigations during 2016–2017 to understand the burden of respiratory abnormalities, exposure characteristics, relationships between exposures and respiratory effects, and opportunities for exposure mitigation. Full-shift, task-based, and instantaneous personal and area air samples for diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione and other VOCs were collected, and engineering controls were evaluated. Medical evaluations included questionnaire, spirometry, impulse oscillometry, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide. Exposure and health assessments were conducted using standardized tools and approaches, which enabled pooling data for aggregate analysis. The pooled data provided a larger population to better address the requestors' concern of the effect of exposure to alpha-diketones on the respiratory heath of coffee workers. This paper describes the rationale for the exposure and health assessment strategy, the approach used to achieve the study objectives, and its advantages and limitations.

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Peak Inhalation Exposure Metrics Used in Occupational Epidemiologic and Exposure Studies

Cited by 13 publications

References 191 publications

A review of human thermal plume and its influence on the inhalation exposure to particulate matter

A review of human thermal plume and its influence on the inhalation exposure to particulate matter

Model Predictions of Occupational Exposures to Diacetyl and 2,3-Pentanedione Emitted From Roasted Whole Bean and Ground Coffee: Influence of Roast Level and Physical Form on Specific Emission Rates

A Strategy for Field Evaluations of Exposures and Respiratory Health of Workers at Small- to Medium-Sized Coffee Facilities

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