Size selective dustiness and exposure; simulated workplace comparisons.
A simulated workplace study was conducted to investigate the relation between inhalation exposure and dustiness determined with a rotating drum dustiness tester. Three powders were used in the study, i.e. magnesium stearate, representing a very dusty powder, and aluminium oxide and calcium carbonate, representing low and very low dusty powders, respectively. Two scenarios of handling small volume of powders were included; sweeping/cleaning and scooping/weighing/adding. Size-selective dust exposure was assessed using MultiDust (dual-fraction) IOM and RespiCon sampling heads. For the present operation scenarios, dustiness showed itself to be the major determinant of exposure and explained approximately 70% of the exposure variances. The ratios of respirable and inhalable fractions as determined by dustiness tests were comparable with the ratios observed for exposure. The results emphasize the relevance of dustiness as a parameter to characterize substances according to potential for exposure.
Brouwer
Derk H
DH
TNO Quality of Life, Food and Chemical Risk Analysis PO Box 360, 3700 AJ Zeist, The Netherlands. Brouwer@chemie.tno.nl
Links
Ingrid H M
IH
De Vreede
Sjaak A F
SA
Christopher
Yvette
Y
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000032:analysis; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000032:analysis; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D010316:Particle Size; D013229:Stearic Acids / Q000032:analysis
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust; D013229:Stearic Acids; C031183:stearic acid; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D000537:Aluminum Oxide