Submicron Particles during Macro- and Micro-Weldings Procedures in Industrial Indoor Environments and Health Implications for Welding Operators

Avino, Pasquale; Manigrasso, Maurizio; Pandolfi, Pietro; Tornese, Cosimo; Settimi, Diego; Paolucci, Nicola

doi:10.3390/met5021045

Cited by 15 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…The methodology of particle dose calculation has been thoroughly described in previous papers [30,31,32,33,34,35,36], where the particle deposition in the human respiratory system was evaluated using the Multiple-Path Particle Dosimetry model (MPPD v2.1, ARA 2009, ARA, Arlington, VA, USA). This model calculates, in the respiratory tract, the deposition and clearance of mono- and poly-disperse aerosols in the range from ultrafine to coarse particles in the respiratory tract [37,38].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pedestrians in Traffic Environments: Ultrafine Particle Respiratory Doses

Manigrasso

Natale

Vitali

et al. 2017

IJERPH

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Particulate matter has recently received more attention than other pollutants. PM10 and PM2.5 have been primarily monitored, whereas scientists are focusing their studies on finer granulometric sizes due both to their high number concentration and their high penetration efficiency into the respiratory system. The purpose of this study is to investigate the population exposure to UltraFine Particles (UFP, submicrons in general) in outdoor environments. The particle number doses deposited into the respiratory system have been compared between healthy individuals and persons affected by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Measurements were performed by means of Dust Track and Nanoscan analyzers. Forty minute walking trails through areas with different traffic densities in downtown Rome have been considered. Furthermore, particle respiratory doses have been estimated for persons waiting at a bus stop, near a traffic light, or along a high-traffic road, as currently occurs in a big city. Large differences have been observed between workdays and weekdays: on workdays, UFP number concentrations are much higher due to the strong contribution of vehicular exhausts. COPD-affected individuals receive greater doses than healthy individuals due to their higher respiratory rate.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pedestrians in Traffic Environments: Ultrafine Particle Respiratory Doses

Manigrasso

Natale

Vitali

et al. 2017

IJERPH

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“…McGarry et al (50) laser printers operation, extruder process, clay process, MWCNT decanting, SWCNT synthesis Gomes et al (51) , Avino et al (52) welding processes…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining NSAM and CPC concentrations to determine airborne nanoparticle count median diameter: Application to various laboratory and workplace aerosols

Bau

Payet

Toussaint

et al. 2018

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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Because nanomaterials have been increasingly developed and used in many technology and industry sectors over the last 20 years, an increasing number of workers is likely to be exposed to airborne nanoparticles. In addition, the question of the nanomaterial characteristics that should be assessed in epidemiological studies remains open. Thus, assessing occupational exposure to airborne nanoparticles will not only rely on mass concentration and chemical composition. Rather, key parameters, such as particle size, have to be included in measurement strategies. We previously proposed a methodology to estimate the Count Median Diameter (CMD) of an aerosol based on the simultaneous size-integrated measurement of two particle concentrations, lung-deposited surface area, and number, thanks to field-portable, commercially available aerosol instruments (Nanoparticle Surface Area Monitor/Condensation Particle Counter combination). In addition to previous work, this study investigates the case of various polydisperse metal oxides, organic oil, and salt particles with CMDs ranging from 16-410 nm. Once corrected, the CMDs derived from the NSAM/CPC agree within ±20% with regard to the reference electrical mobility equivalent diameter, regardless of aerosol composition, morphology, or geometric standard deviation (GSD). Furthermore, the field-applicability of the method was tested through 6 sets of experimental data stemming from workplace measurement campaigns where different materials were produced and handled (TiO, SiO, Ag, Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes-MWCNT), covering a range of CMDs between 40 and 190 nm. All situations considered, the approach based on the combination of a NSAM and a CPC leads to a satisfying estimation of particle CMD, within ±20% compared to reference CMD.

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“…Järvela et al found particle number concentrations in ferrochromium and stainless steel production from 5.8 × 10 4 particles/cm 3 to 6.62 × 10 5 particles/cm 3 in the production areas [ 14 ]. Welding is another example of a relevant work-task where exposure is studied [ 29 , 30 , 50 ] the duration of welding tasks is however, shorter in time and thus les comparable in this context. Both Evans et al, (2017) and Järvela et al, (2016) report their results as total concentration measured by SMPS instruments, which could be one explanation for higher concentrations in these studies [ 14 , 15 ], another explanation could be real differences between the industries.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to Ultrafine Particles in the Ferroalloy Industry Using a Logbook Method

et al. 2020

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Background: It is difficult to assess workers’ exposure to ultrafine particles (UFP) due to the lack of personal sampling equipment available for this particle fraction. The logbook method has been proposed as a general method for exposure assessment. This method measures the time and concentration components of the time-weighted average concentration separately and could be suitable for investigation of UFP exposure. Objectives: In this study, we have assessed workers’ exposure to UFP in a ferrosilicon plant. The main tasks of the furnace workers were identified, and the logbook method was used in combination with stationary measurements of UFP taken as close to the identified task areas as possible. In order to verify the results, respirable particles were collected using stationary sampling in close proximity to the UFP measuring instrument, and personal full-shift sampling of respirable particles was performed simultaneously. Thus, exposure to respirable particles determined using the logbook method could be compared to the results of standard measurement. Methods: The particle number concentration of ultrafine particles was determined using a NanoScan SMPS. Respirable particle concentration and exposure were determined using a sampling train consisting of a pump, filter, filter cassettes, and SKC Cyclone for the respirable fraction. Attendance times for workers at each work location were registered via thorough observations made by the research team. Results: The logbook method for exposure estimation based on stationary sampling equipment made it possible to calculate UFP exposure for workers operating the furnaces at a ferrosilicon plant. The mid-size furnace and the large furnace were evaluated separately. The workers operating the largest furnace were exposed to 1.47 × 104 particles/cm3, while workers operating the mid-size furnace were exposed to 2.06 × 104 particles/cm3, with a mean of 1.74 × 104 particles/cm3. Substantial contributions from the casting area, ladle transport corridor, and both tapping areas were made. Exposure to respirable particles was 2.04 mg/m3 (logbook); 2.26 mg/m3 (personal sampling) for workers operating the large-sized furnace, 3.24 mg/m3 (logbook); 2.44 mg/m3 (personal sampling) for workers operating the medium-sized furnace, and 2.57 mg/m3 (logbook); 2.53 mg/m3(personal sampling) on average of all tappers. The average ratio of these two methods’ results was 1.02, which indicates that the logbook method could be used as a substitute for personal sampling when it is not possible to perform personal sampling, at least within this industry. Conclusions: The logbook method is a useful supplement for exposure assessment of UFP, able to identify the most polluted areas of the workplace and the contribution of different work tasks to the total exposure of workers, enabling companies to take action to reduce exposure.

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Submicron Particles during Macro- and Micro-Weldings Procedures in Industrial Indoor Environments and Health Implications for Welding Operators

Cited by 15 publications

References 41 publications

Pedestrians in Traffic Environments: Ultrafine Particle Respiratory Doses

Pedestrians in Traffic Environments: Ultrafine Particle Respiratory Doses

Combining NSAM and CPC concentrations to determine airborne nanoparticle count median diameter: Application to various laboratory and workplace aerosols

Exposure to Ultrafine Particles in the Ferroalloy Industry Using a Logbook Method

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