title: Particulate production during orthodontic production laboratory procedures.
abstract: Dental technicians are exposed to respirable particles during their everyday work. This study investigated particulate production during dental laboratory procedures. Real-time air sampling of dental laboratory production processes was carried out, including the use of a plaster hopper, trimming study models and the trimming and polishing of removable orthodontic appliances. Respirable dust volumes in mg/m(3) were determined using real-time air sampler and were compared with the Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) advised by the Control of Substances Harmful to Health regulations. The use of the plaster hopper produced the highest level of respirable dusts, which might exceed the recommended WELs for respirable dusts. Trimming study models and removable orthodontic appliances using suitable ventilation produced levels of respirable dusts, well below the WEL. Suitable ventilation adjacent to the plaster hoppers is advisable in order to reduce any inhalation risk to dental technicians.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Dental Health, Bristol Dental School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. tony.ireland@bristol.ac.uk
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ireland
authors.forename: Andrew A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blythe
authors.forename: Nicola J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Jonathan R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sandy
mesh_terms: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D003800:Dental Technicians; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D007754:Laboratories, Dental; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000032:analysis*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D014691:Ventilation; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust; D052638:Particulate Matter