title: Determining the exposure of chipper operators to inhalable wood dust.
abstract: The study surveyed wood chipping operations in order to determine the exposure of chipper operators to wood dust and suggest suitable countermeasures. The survey included both industrial and small-scale chipping operations, all located in Central Italy, on the Apennine mountain range. During the survey, 60 samples were collected using standardized methods. For the purpose of the tests, each operator carried a wearable active sampler connected to a suction pump. When operators sat inside an enclosed cab, samples were also collected outside the cab in order to gauge the dust abatement effect of a protected work station. Exposure to dust varied widely with wood conditions and machine productivity, and only occasionally exceeded the 5mg m(-3) legal limit. Operators working inside a cab were three times less exposed than operators working outside, and they were never exposed to concentrations exceeding the legal limit. It is adviceable that people working full-time as chipper operators are positioned inside an enclosed cab, for limiting their exposure to wood dust. Small-scale operators are generally part-timers, which further reduces their long-term exposure.
authors: CNR IVALSA, Via Biasi 75, 38010 San Michele all'Adige (TN), Italy.
authors: Natascia
authors: N
authors: Magagnotti
authors: Cecilia
authors: C
authors: Nannicini
authors: Gianfranco
authors: G
authors: Sciarra
authors: Raffaele
authors: R
authors: Spinelli
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Volpi
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D016468:Forestry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D007558:Italy; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D010316:Particle Size; D014934:Wood
chemical_list: D004391:Dust
keywords: biomass; forestry; inhalable dust exposure; wood chipper measurement; wood dust measurement