Pub Date : 2001-09-01DOI: 10.1080/15298660108984665
S. Levine, C. Redinger, W. P. Robert
This case study was a critical investigation of the analytical methodology and exposure assessment components of an intervention that led to the closure of a polyurethane foaming plant in Glenola, N.C., where plant neighbors reported a wide range of adverse health effects. Resident complaints and reports of nuisance odors and health effects persisted for many years, coming to a head in late 1995 and early 1996. Central to state and federal agency activities was the determination of the concentrations of air contaminants including toluene diisocyanate (TDI) at the plant fence line to establish an empirical foundation for resident complaints. Well over 2000 air concentration measurements were collected in the 18-month period prior to intervention and plant closure in September 1997. Results showed that flawed methodology, including poor quality assurance and improper interpretation of the data, may have led to improper conclusions and the inappropriate closing of this facility. Agency data did not show that ambient air concentrations of TDI at the plant fence line exceeded any required or recommended concentration limit. Furthermore, the identity and concentration of other air contaminants were not thoroughly investigated. Key lessons learned are that such interventions must be based on well-designed and executed exposure assessments. Resultant risk determinations must be based on sound science and methods.
{"title":"Community exposure assessment and intervention effectiveness at Trinity American Corporation, Glenola, North Carolina.","authors":"S. Levine, C. Redinger, W. P. Robert","doi":"10.1080/15298660108984665","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15298660108984665","url":null,"abstract":"This case study was a critical investigation of the analytical methodology and exposure assessment components of an intervention that led to the closure of a polyurethane foaming plant in Glenola, N.C., where plant neighbors reported a wide range of adverse health effects. Resident complaints and reports of nuisance odors and health effects persisted for many years, coming to a head in late 1995 and early 1996. Central to state and federal agency activities was the determination of the concentrations of air contaminants including toluene diisocyanate (TDI) at the plant fence line to establish an empirical foundation for resident complaints. Well over 2000 air concentration measurements were collected in the 18-month period prior to intervention and plant closure in September 1997. Results showed that flawed methodology, including poor quality assurance and improper interpretation of the data, may have led to improper conclusions and the inappropriate closing of this facility. Agency data did not show that ambient air concentrations of TDI at the plant fence line exceeded any required or recommended concentration limit. Furthermore, the identity and concentration of other air contaminants were not thoroughly investigated. Key lessons learned are that such interventions must be based on well-designed and executed exposure assessments. Resultant risk determinations must be based on sound science and methods.","PeriodicalId":7449,"journal":{"name":"AIHAJ : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88963381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2001-09-01DOI: 10.1080/15298660108984663
R. Brown
Filters used in industrial hygiene are of two basic types, corresponding with the two basic airborne hazards: particulate and vapor. They are as different in their construction as they are in their purpose, and each gives negligible protection against the other hazard. By use of the correct type, adequate filtration efficiency can usually be achieved. Most particulate filters are made from fibers, and finer fibers result in higher efficiency. Filters can capture particles much smaller than the fiber diameter, as a result of diffusional motion of the airborne particles and, in the case of filters that hold a permanent electric charge, electrostatic attraction. Most vapor filters are made from granules of activated carbon, which have an extremely large effective surface area, where molecules of contaminant are adsorbed. The performance of all filters tends to alter as the filter material becomes loaded. Electrically neutral particulate filters become more efficient but at the expense of increased resistance to airflow. Particulate filters that act by electric forces may become less efficient, and are often less inclined to clog. Vapor filters usually have a high initial efficiency, but the penetration of vapor increases as the filters become saturated with adsorbed vapor, and the performance of these filters is normally expressed in terms of their lifetime rather than their efficiency. It is important that the choice of a filter should be made with close reference to the situation in which it is to be used, and optimum respiratory protection should be sought, rather than maximum filtration efficiency. Special problems of filters are illustrated by some case histories, and finally the use of filters as size selectors for dust samplers is briefly described.
{"title":"Filtration in industrial hygiene.","authors":"R. Brown","doi":"10.1080/15298660108984663","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15298660108984663","url":null,"abstract":"Filters used in industrial hygiene are of two basic types, corresponding with the two basic airborne hazards: particulate and vapor. They are as different in their construction as they are in their purpose, and each gives negligible protection against the other hazard. By use of the correct type, adequate filtration efficiency can usually be achieved. Most particulate filters are made from fibers, and finer fibers result in higher efficiency. Filters can capture particles much smaller than the fiber diameter, as a result of diffusional motion of the airborne particles and, in the case of filters that hold a permanent electric charge, electrostatic attraction. Most vapor filters are made from granules of activated carbon, which have an extremely large effective surface area, where molecules of contaminant are adsorbed. The performance of all filters tends to alter as the filter material becomes loaded. Electrically neutral particulate filters become more efficient but at the expense of increased resistance to airflow. Particulate filters that act by electric forces may become less efficient, and are often less inclined to clog. Vapor filters usually have a high initial efficiency, but the penetration of vapor increases as the filters become saturated with adsorbed vapor, and the performance of these filters is normally expressed in terms of their lifetime rather than their efficiency. It is important that the choice of a filter should be made with close reference to the situation in which it is to be used, and optimum respiratory protection should be sought, rather than maximum filtration efficiency. Special problems of filters are illustrated by some case histories, and finally the use of filters as size selectors for dust samplers is briefly described.","PeriodicalId":7449,"journal":{"name":"AIHAJ : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86595249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2001-09-01DOI: 10.1080/15298660108984661
Noah S. Seixas, Kyle K. Ren, R. Neitzel, Janice Camp, Michael G. Yost
Data-logging noise dosimetry was used to assess the exposure levels of electricians working for a major electrical subcontractor in Washington State at five sites using four types of construction methods. Subjects documented activities and work environment information throughout their work shift, resulting in an activity/exposure record for each of the 174 full-shift samples collected over the 4-month duration of the study. Over 24% of the TWA samples exceeded 85 dBA; 5.2% exceeded the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health exposure metric, which specifies a 3-dB ER, was also utilized; using this metric, 67.8% of the samples exceeded 85 dBA and 27% exceeded 90 dBA. Subjects were directly observed for a subset of 4469 min during which more detailed activity and environmental information was recorded. Linear and logistic regression models using this subset were used to identify the determinants of average exposure, and exposure exceedences, respectively. These models demonstrated the importance of multiple variable modeling in interpreting exposure assessments, and the feasibility and utility of modeling exposure exceedences using logistic regression. The results further showed that presumably quiet trades such as electrician are at risk of exposure to potentially harmful noise exposures, and that other workers' activities and the general environment contribute substantially to that risk. These results indicate that noise control strategies will have to address the construction work environment as an integrated system.
{"title":"Noise exposure among construction electricians.","authors":"Noah S. Seixas, Kyle K. Ren, R. Neitzel, Janice Camp, Michael G. Yost","doi":"10.1080/15298660108984661","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15298660108984661","url":null,"abstract":"Data-logging noise dosimetry was used to assess the exposure levels of electricians working for a major electrical subcontractor in Washington State at five sites using four types of construction methods. Subjects documented activities and work environment information throughout their work shift, resulting in an activity/exposure record for each of the 174 full-shift samples collected over the 4-month duration of the study. Over 24% of the TWA samples exceeded 85 dBA; 5.2% exceeded the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure limit of 90 dBA. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health exposure metric, which specifies a 3-dB ER, was also utilized; using this metric, 67.8% of the samples exceeded 85 dBA and 27% exceeded 90 dBA. Subjects were directly observed for a subset of 4469 min during which more detailed activity and environmental information was recorded. Linear and logistic regression models using this subset were used to identify the determinants of average exposure, and exposure exceedences, respectively. These models demonstrated the importance of multiple variable modeling in interpreting exposure assessments, and the feasibility and utility of modeling exposure exceedences using logistic regression. The results further showed that presumably quiet trades such as electrician are at risk of exposure to potentially harmful noise exposures, and that other workers' activities and the general environment contribute substantially to that risk. These results indicate that noise control strategies will have to address the construction work environment as an integrated system.","PeriodicalId":7449,"journal":{"name":"AIHAJ : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85870553","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2001-09-01DOI: 10.1080/15298660108984664
E. Page, D. Trout
Recently there has been increased attention among both the public and health professionals regarding the potential role of mycotoxins, primarily from fungi of the genus Stachybotrys, as etiologic agents related to illness among persons exposed in the indoor (nonindustrial) environment. Recommendations for the remediation of buildings are being made based in part on reported health effects believed to be due to mycotoxins. A search of NIOSHTIC (a literature database maintained by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) and MEDLINE (from 1965 to present) for literature related to fungi, mycotoxins, and the indoor environment was conducted. References from relevant articles also were reviewed. This strategy yielded a total of 13 articles. Important issues concerning exposure assessment and case definitions are inadequately addressed in the literature reviewed, making it difficult to implicate mycotoxins as a cause of building-related illness. The literature review indicates that currently there is inadequate evidence supporting a causal relationship between symptoms or illness among building occupants and exposure to mycotoxins. Research involving the identification and isolation of specific fungal toxins in the environment and in humans is needed before a more definitive link between health outcomes and mycotoxins can be made.
{"title":"The role of Stachybotrys mycotoxins in building-related illness.","authors":"E. Page, D. Trout","doi":"10.1080/15298660108984664","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15298660108984664","url":null,"abstract":"Recently there has been increased attention among both the public and health professionals regarding the potential role of mycotoxins, primarily from fungi of the genus Stachybotrys, as etiologic agents related to illness among persons exposed in the indoor (nonindustrial) environment. Recommendations for the remediation of buildings are being made based in part on reported health effects believed to be due to mycotoxins. A search of NIOSHTIC (a literature database maintained by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) and MEDLINE (from 1965 to present) for literature related to fungi, mycotoxins, and the indoor environment was conducted. References from relevant articles also were reviewed. This strategy yielded a total of 13 articles. Important issues concerning exposure assessment and case definitions are inadequately addressed in the literature reviewed, making it difficult to implicate mycotoxins as a cause of building-related illness. The literature review indicates that currently there is inadequate evidence supporting a causal relationship between symptoms or illness among building occupants and exposure to mycotoxins. Research involving the identification and isolation of specific fungal toxins in the environment and in humans is needed before a more definitive link between health outcomes and mycotoxins can be made.","PeriodicalId":7449,"journal":{"name":"AIHAJ : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88120122","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2001-09-01DOI: 10.1080/15298660108984662
T. Courtney, B. Webster
Since 1992 the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) annual survey of occupational injuries and illnesses (SOII) has collected data on occupational injuries and illnesses involving 1 or more days away from work (DAW). However, to date, the BLS has not published a comprehensive set of cross-tabulated part of body (BP), nature of injury or illness (NOI), and exposure/event (EE) data. To improve the understanding of the causes of disabling occupational morbidity in the United States, the present study used a special data call and data reduction strategy to identify the leading BP-NOI-EE combinations for DAW cases by frequency, incidence rate, and severity (median DAW) for 1996. The results indicated that the majority of injury and illness morbidity reported by the BLS was related to musculoskeletal conditions of either gradual or sudden onset and traumatic injuries of sudden onset. In particular, traumatic injuries from sudden events such as falls resulted in the most disabling cases. The results indicate that the occupational morbidity identified in the SOII requires interventions focused on overexertion and falls, as well as more traditional injury prevention approaches. The BLS can improve the utility of the system by adding provisions for a second event code to the coding structure and by improving direct access to these data for occupational health and safety professionals.
{"title":"Antecedent factors and disabling occupational morbidity--insights from the new BLS data.","authors":"T. Courtney, B. Webster","doi":"10.1080/15298660108984662","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15298660108984662","url":null,"abstract":"Since 1992 the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics' (BLS) annual survey of occupational injuries and illnesses (SOII) has collected data on occupational injuries and illnesses involving 1 or more days away from work (DAW). However, to date, the BLS has not published a comprehensive set of cross-tabulated part of body (BP), nature of injury or illness (NOI), and exposure/event (EE) data. To improve the understanding of the causes of disabling occupational morbidity in the United States, the present study used a special data call and data reduction strategy to identify the leading BP-NOI-EE combinations for DAW cases by frequency, incidence rate, and severity (median DAW) for 1996. The results indicated that the majority of injury and illness morbidity reported by the BLS was related to musculoskeletal conditions of either gradual or sudden onset and traumatic injuries of sudden onset. In particular, traumatic injuries from sudden events such as falls resulted in the most disabling cases. The results indicate that the occupational morbidity identified in the SOII requires interventions focused on overexertion and falls, as well as more traditional injury prevention approaches. The BLS can improve the utility of the system by adding provisions for a second event code to the coding structure and by improving direct access to these data for occupational health and safety professionals.","PeriodicalId":7449,"journal":{"name":"AIHAJ : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78850195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2001-09-01DOI: 10.1080/15298660108984658
Howard J. Cohen, Lawrence H. Hecker, Darrell K. Mattheis, James S. Johnson, Arthur H. Biermann, Kenneth L. Foote
A study protocol was developed to obtain simulated workplace protection factor (SWPF) data for eleven models of powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) and supplied-air respirators (SAR) with hoods and helmets. Respirators were tested in a chamber that allowed the simulation of 12 exercises, including 2 exercises of interest to the pharmaceutical industry. Each respirator was tested by 12 volunteers, and a total of 144 sets of test results were obtained for each device. The testing protocol allowed SWPFs up to 250,000 to be measured (limit of quantification). Median SWPFs for all respirators, except one SAR, were at or above this reporting limit. Lower fifth percentiles were above 100,000, except for one SAR previously noted. An assigned protection factor (APF) was estimated for each respirator by dividing the lower fifth percentile by a safety factor of 25. APFs ranged from 6000-10,000 for PAPRs (including one loose-fitting PAPR) and 3400-10,000 for SARs, with one exception. This SAR had a lower fifth percentile of less than 20 and an estimated APF of 1. Results indicated that most respirators tested could provide a high degree of protection for workers, although one National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-approved SAR provided minimal, if any, protection. Direct testing in a simulated workplace seems the only method that will assure employers of choosing an adequate SAR. This may be true for other classes of respirators. Furthermore, the historical approach of establishing APFs for classes of respirators, rather than individual models, may not provide adequate protection to the wearer. This is also a serious problem for regulatory agencies seeking to promulgate respirator standard provisions such as APFs for classes of respirators.
为获得11种带头罩和安全帽的动力式空气净化呼吸器(papr)和供气式呼吸器(SAR)的模拟工作场所保护系数(SWPF)数据，制定了一项研究方案。呼吸器在一个可以模拟12种运动的房间里进行测试，其中包括制药行业感兴趣的2种运动。每个呼吸器由12名志愿者进行测试，每个呼吸器共获得144组测试结果。测试方案允许测量高达250,000的swpf(定量限制)。除一个SAR外，所有呼吸器的swpf中位数均等于或高于该报告限值。除先前提到的一个特别行政区外，较低的五个百分位数高于100,000。每个呼吸器的指定保护系数(APF)是通过将较低的5%除以25的安全系数来估计的。PAPR的apf范围为6000-10,000(包括一个宽松的PAPR)， SARs的apf范围为3400-10,000，只有一个例外。该SAR的第五百分位数低于20，估计APF为1。结果表明，尽管美国国家职业安全与卫生研究所(National Institute for Occupational Safety and health)批准的一种SAR只能提供最低程度的保护，但大多数接受测试的呼吸器都可以为工人提供高度的保护。在模拟工作场所进行直接测试似乎是确保雇主选择适当SAR的唯一方法。对于其他类别的呼吸器可能也是如此。此外，历史上为各类呼吸器而不是单个型号建立apf的方法可能无法为佩戴者提供足够的保护。对于寻求颁布呼吸器标准条款(如呼吸器类别的apf)的监管机构来说，这也是一个严重的问题。
{"title":"Simulated workplace protection factor study of powered air-purifying and supplied air respirators.","authors":"Howard J. Cohen, Lawrence H. Hecker, Darrell K. Mattheis, James S. Johnson, Arthur H. Biermann, Kenneth L. Foote","doi":"10.1080/15298660108984658","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15298660108984658","url":null,"abstract":"A study protocol was developed to obtain simulated workplace protection factor (SWPF) data for eleven models of powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) and supplied-air respirators (SAR) with hoods and helmets. Respirators were tested in a chamber that allowed the simulation of 12 exercises, including 2 exercises of interest to the pharmaceutical industry. Each respirator was tested by 12 volunteers, and a total of 144 sets of test results were obtained for each device. The testing protocol allowed SWPFs up to 250,000 to be measured (limit of quantification). Median SWPFs for all respirators, except one SAR, were at or above this reporting limit. Lower fifth percentiles were above 100,000, except for one SAR previously noted. An assigned protection factor (APF) was estimated for each respirator by dividing the lower fifth percentile by a safety factor of 25. APFs ranged from 6000-10,000 for PAPRs (including one loose-fitting PAPR) and 3400-10,000 for SARs, with one exception. This SAR had a lower fifth percentile of less than 20 and an estimated APF of 1. Results indicated that most respirators tested could provide a high degree of protection for workers, although one National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-approved SAR provided minimal, if any, protection. Direct testing in a simulated workplace seems the only method that will assure employers of choosing an adequate SAR. This may be true for other classes of respirators. Furthermore, the historical approach of establishing APFs for classes of respirators, rather than individual models, may not provide adequate protection to the wearer. This is also a serious problem for regulatory agencies seeking to promulgate respirator standard provisions such as APFs for classes of respirators.","PeriodicalId":7449,"journal":{"name":"AIHAJ : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81546460","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2001-07-01DOI: 10.1080/15298660108984650
E. Rytkönen, E. Sorainen
The vibration of new (n=4) and used (n=16) dental handpieces was tested in three directions during idling. In addition, work was simulated by drilling on plastic plate with all new and five used handpieces. The weighted vibration according to standard ISO 5349:1986 and the total acceleration of high-frequency vibration ("ultravibration") in the frequency range of 1.43-11.06 kHz were analyzed. Neither the water and air injection nor the grip force of fingers had any significant effect on the vibration level. The work simulation did increase the vibration of the handpieces, and the vibration became more broadband. The weighted accelerations were plainly below the hazardous acceleration determined in ISO 5349 and the ACGIH-TLV. The vibration spectra of the handpieces contained powerful vibration at high frequencies, but the effects of this ultravibration and exposure during work are not well known.
{"title":"Vibration of dental handpieces.","authors":"E. Rytkönen, E. Sorainen","doi":"10.1080/15298660108984650","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15298660108984650","url":null,"abstract":"The vibration of new (n=4) and used (n=16) dental handpieces was tested in three directions during idling. In addition, work was simulated by drilling on plastic plate with all new and five used handpieces. The weighted vibration according to standard ISO 5349:1986 and the total acceleration of high-frequency vibration (\"ultravibration\") in the frequency range of 1.43-11.06 kHz were analyzed. Neither the water and air injection nor the grip force of fingers had any significant effect on the vibration level. The work simulation did increase the vibration of the handpieces, and the vibration became more broadband. The weighted accelerations were plainly below the hazardous acceleration determined in ISO 5349 and the ACGIH-TLV. The vibration spectra of the handpieces contained powerful vibration at high frequencies, but the effects of this ultravibration and exposure during work are not well known.","PeriodicalId":7449,"journal":{"name":"AIHAJ : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88459268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2001-07-01DOI: 10.1080/15298660108984649
P. Middendorf, D. Macintosh, L. V. Tow, P. L. Williams
Electronic flow rate meters (EFRMs) have been used by industrial hygienists for more than 20 years and are useful because they reduce the time required to calibrate air sampling pumps. This study compared the variability of the traditional bubble burette meter with electronic flow meters and simultaneously compared several EFRMs under different calibration conditions. The flow rates of air sampling pumps were set using a standard bubble burette meter at flow rates of 2 or 50 mL/min using two pressure drops, 2 inches water and 10 inches water. Four airflow rate meters (Bios DryCal, A.P. Buck mini-Buck, MSA Accuflow, and Sensidyne Gilibrator) were concurrently compared at each of the pump flow rate and pressure drop combinations. Results indicated that the standard bubble burette method is more variable than the EFRMs and that the flow rates given by the EFRMs were significantly different (p<0.0001) at both the high and low flow rates. Although the calibrators gave significantly different flow rates, the difference was within the acceptable air sampling pump error of +/- 5%.
{"title":"Performance of electronic flow rate meters used for calibration of air sampling pumps.","authors":"P. Middendorf, D. Macintosh, L. V. Tow, P. L. Williams","doi":"10.1080/15298660108984649","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15298660108984649","url":null,"abstract":"Electronic flow rate meters (EFRMs) have been used by industrial hygienists for more than 20 years and are useful because they reduce the time required to calibrate air sampling pumps. This study compared the variability of the traditional bubble burette meter with electronic flow meters and simultaneously compared several EFRMs under different calibration conditions. The flow rates of air sampling pumps were set using a standard bubble burette meter at flow rates of 2 or 50 mL/min using two pressure drops, 2 inches water and 10 inches water. Four airflow rate meters (Bios DryCal, A.P. Buck mini-Buck, MSA Accuflow, and Sensidyne Gilibrator) were concurrently compared at each of the pump flow rate and pressure drop combinations. Results indicated that the standard bubble burette method is more variable than the EFRMs and that the flow rates given by the EFRMs were significantly different (p<0.0001) at both the high and low flow rates. Although the calibrators gave significantly different flow rates, the difference was within the acceptable air sampling pump error of +/- 5%.","PeriodicalId":7449,"journal":{"name":"AIHAJ : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76874615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2001-07-01DOI: 10.1080/15298660108984651
S. Trakumas, K. Willeke, S. Grinshpun, T. Reponen, G. Mainelis, Warren Friedman
Industrial vacuum cleaners with final high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters traditionally have been used for cleanup operations in which all of the nozzle-entrained dust must be collected with high efficiency, for example, after lead-based paint abatement in homes. In this study household vacuum cleaners ranging from $70 to $650 and an industrial vacuum cleaner costing more than $1400 were evaluated relative to their collection efficiency immediately after installing new primary dust collectors in them. Using newly developed testing technology, some of the low-cost household vacuum cleaners equipped with a final HEPA filter were found to have initial overall filtration efficiencies comparable to those of industrial vacuum cleaners equipped with a final HEPA filter. The household vacuum cleaners equipped with a final HEPA filter efficiently collect about 100% of the dry dust entrained by the nozzle. For extensive cleaning efforts and for vacuum cleaning of wet surfaces, however, industrial vacuum cleaners may have an advantage, including ruggedness and greater loading capacity. The methods and findings of this study are applicable to field evaluations of vacuum cleaners.
{"title":"Particle emission characteristics of filter-equipped vacuum cleaners.","authors":"S. Trakumas, K. Willeke, S. Grinshpun, T. Reponen, G. Mainelis, Warren Friedman","doi":"10.1080/15298660108984651","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15298660108984651","url":null,"abstract":"Industrial vacuum cleaners with final high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters traditionally have been used for cleanup operations in which all of the nozzle-entrained dust must be collected with high efficiency, for example, after lead-based paint abatement in homes. In this study household vacuum cleaners ranging from $70 to $650 and an industrial vacuum cleaner costing more than $1400 were evaluated relative to their collection efficiency immediately after installing new primary dust collectors in them. Using newly developed testing technology, some of the low-cost household vacuum cleaners equipped with a final HEPA filter were found to have initial overall filtration efficiencies comparable to those of industrial vacuum cleaners equipped with a final HEPA filter. The household vacuum cleaners equipped with a final HEPA filter efficiently collect about 100% of the dry dust entrained by the nozzle. For extensive cleaning efforts and for vacuum cleaning of wet surfaces, however, industrial vacuum cleaners may have an advantage, including ruggedness and greater loading capacity. The methods and findings of this study are applicable to field evaluations of vacuum cleaners.","PeriodicalId":7449,"journal":{"name":"AIHAJ : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"88379369","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2001-07-01DOI: 10.1080/15298660108984643
S. Guffey, M. Flanagan, G. van Belle
Tracer gas concentrations were measured on a 60%-sized mannequin holding a pure sulfur hexafluoride source in its hands at waist height while it stood in a wind tunnel. Samplers were placed at the mannequin's mouth, in front of the ear, and at three chest locations at lapel level. Simultaneous 15-min time-weighted average samples were taken by drawing air into different sampling bags with sampling pumps. For the factorial study design, test conditions included cross-draft velocities of 10, 22, 47, and 80 ft/min; three mannequin orientations (facing to, side to, and back to cross-draft), and rotating speed through an 80 degrees arc (fast, slow, and no movement). Each study condition was tested twice. Concentrations at all sampling locations when the mannequin faced to the front and side were less than a tenth of the levels measured at the nose (Cnose) when the mannequin faced downstream. Higher velocities significantly increased concentration at the Back orientation and generally reduced it at the Side and Facing orientations. Concentrations at the nose were different from concentrations at other sites. For 34 of 36 samples the mean chest concentration (Cchest,) was higher than the Cnose (geometric mean three times higher). The ratio of ear (Cear) and Cnose varied with orientation. At the Back orientation, Cear, was lower than Cnose, whereas Cear was higher than Cnose at the Side and Facing to flow orientations. Velocity affected the ratios of concentrations. At the Back orientation, the chest sampler provided lower overestimates of Cnose, at higher velocities than at lower values. Mannequin movement, done only at the Back orientation, proved important only for the ear location. Results showed significant and substantial differences between concentrations at the nose and lapel. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution because a very dense tracer gas and an unheated, nonbreathing mannequin were used. In more realistic conditions, the findings probably would show far smaller differences in concentrations at different sampling sites.
{"title":"Air sampling at the chest and ear as representative of the breathing zone.","authors":"S. Guffey, M. Flanagan, G. van Belle","doi":"10.1080/15298660108984643","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/15298660108984643","url":null,"abstract":"Tracer gas concentrations were measured on a 60%-sized mannequin holding a pure sulfur hexafluoride source in its hands at waist height while it stood in a wind tunnel. Samplers were placed at the mannequin's mouth, in front of the ear, and at three chest locations at lapel level. Simultaneous 15-min time-weighted average samples were taken by drawing air into different sampling bags with sampling pumps. For the factorial study design, test conditions included cross-draft velocities of 10, 22, 47, and 80 ft/min; three mannequin orientations (facing to, side to, and back to cross-draft), and rotating speed through an 80 degrees arc (fast, slow, and no movement). Each study condition was tested twice. Concentrations at all sampling locations when the mannequin faced to the front and side were less than a tenth of the levels measured at the nose (Cnose) when the mannequin faced downstream. Higher velocities significantly increased concentration at the Back orientation and generally reduced it at the Side and Facing orientations. Concentrations at the nose were different from concentrations at other sites. For 34 of 36 samples the mean chest concentration (Cchest,) was higher than the Cnose (geometric mean three times higher). The ratio of ear (Cear) and Cnose varied with orientation. At the Back orientation, Cear, was lower than Cnose, whereas Cear was higher than Cnose at the Side and Facing to flow orientations. Velocity affected the ratios of concentrations. At the Back orientation, the chest sampler provided lower overestimates of Cnose, at higher velocities than at lower values. Mannequin movement, done only at the Back orientation, proved important only for the ear location. Results showed significant and substantial differences between concentrations at the nose and lapel. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution because a very dense tracer gas and an unheated, nonbreathing mannequin were used. In more realistic conditions, the findings probably would show far smaller differences in concentrations at different sampling sites.","PeriodicalId":7449,"journal":{"name":"AIHAJ : a journal for the science of occupational and environmental health and safety","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85487756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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