title: Assessing the occupational risk of dust particles in the Kenyan tanning industry using rapid image processing and microscopy techniques.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the occupational hazards within the tanning industry caused by contaminated dust. A qualitative assessment of the risk of human exposure to dust was made throughout a commercial Kenyan tannery. Using this information, high-risk points in the processing line were identified and dust sampling regimes developed. An optical set-up using microscopy and digital imaging techniques was used to determine dust particle numbers and size distributions. The results showed that chemical handling was the most hazardous (12 mg m(-3)). A Monte Carlo method was used to estimate the concentration of the dust in the air throughout the tannery during an 8 h working day. This showed that the high-risk area of the tannery was associated with mean concentrations of dust greater than the UK Statutory Instrument 2002 No. 2677. stipulated limits (exceeding 10 mg m(-3) (Inhalable dust limits) and 4 mg m(-3) (Respirable dust limits). This therefore has implications in terms of provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the tannery workers for the mitigation of occupational risk.
authors: School of Biological Sciences, Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Aberdeen, St. Machar Drive, Cruickshank Building, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, UK. m.mwinyihija@abdn.ac.uk
authors: Mwinykione
authors: M
authors: Mwinyihija
authors: Ken
authors: K
authors: Killham
authors: Ovidiu
authors: O
authors: Rotariu
authors: Andy
authors: A
authors: Meharg
authors: Norval J C
authors: NJ
authors: Strachan
mesh_terms: D004391:Dust; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008853:Microscopy; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010316:Particle Size; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013633:Tanning
chemical_list: D004391:Dust