[Bronchopulmonary diseases due to ultra-hard metal dust, with special reference to the result of the dust analysis].
In order to clarify the relationship between exposure to hard metal dust containing cobalt and bronchopulmonary diseases, cross-sectional medical and occupational hygienic investigations were conducted in a hard metal tool manufacturing factory. As a part of the environmental investigation, general air concentrations and personal exposure to both total dust and cobalt dust were measured. The highest total dust and cobalt concentrations in general atmosphere and personal samples were found in a powder handling room among all departments. The highest personal exposure concentration of cobalt was 1.29 mg/m3 (arithmetic mean value) in the dry grinder using diamond wheels. Powder handlers were exposed to cobalt 0.56 mg/m3, press operators to 0.66 mg/m3, shapers to 0.19 mg/m3, wet grinders to 0.07 mg/m3, and sintering workers to 0.03 mg/m3. In Japan TLV for cobalt has not yet been established. Dust exposure measurement should be carried out in all hard metal industries. TLV for cobalt is discussed by means of literature.
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D003035:Cobalt / Q000032:analysis*; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008670:Metals; D003035:Cobalt