Although considerable research has been conducted regarding airborne lead exposures during lead paint removal, little data has been collected measuring the lead concentration on workers’ hands in the construction ind...Although considerable research has been conducted regarding airborne lead exposures during lead paint removal, little data has been collected measuring the lead concentration on workers’ hands in the construction industry. As a result, there are gaps in our understanding of the effectiveness of a standard work practice control (handwashing) in the prevention and control of elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in the workplace. The primary objective of this study was to assess if a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) formulation intended to remove lead from skin (Hygenall<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">© </span></sup>Leadoff<sup>TM</sup> Foaming Soap) is more effective than a commonly used soap in the industrial painting industry (Zep Cherry Bomb Soap) in reducing the concentration of lead on workers’ hands after exposure. A secondary aim was to assess if using Leadoff<sup>TM</sup> Foaming Soap during handwashing reduces worker uptake of lead on bridge painting projects. We evaluated hand wipe, air sample and blood lead level data collected by two industrial bridge painting contractors. Airborne exposures ranged from 350 μg/m<sup>3</sup> to 19,700 μg/m<sup>3</sup>. The geometric mean lead concentration remaining on workers’ hands after using Zep Cherry Bomb Soap was 77 μg per hand wipe compared with 61 μg per hand wipe after use of Leadoff<sup>TM</sup> Foaming Soap for all work classifications. The geometric lead concentration on workers’ hands decreased by 16 μg/hand wipe for all work classifications combined after using Leadoff<sup>TM</sup> Foaming Soap—a decrease of 21%. The use of Hygenall Leadoff<sup>TM</sup> Foaming Soap reduced the maximum lead concentration on workers’ hands by 85%. The geometric mean BLL for all work classifications was 12.1 μg/dl before the use of Leadoff<sup>TM</sup>. After two months of airborne exposure and use of Leadoff<sup>TM</sup> Foaming Soap at breaks and at the end of the workday, the geometric mean BLL for all work classifications increased to 18.1 μg/dl. Worker BLLs increased despite the reduction in the concentration of lead measured on workers’ hands—most likely a result of ineffective inhalation exposure controls. We found that the Leadoff<sup>TM</sup> Foaming Soap was more effective in removing lead from workers’ hands than Zep Cherry Bomb.展开更多
To evaluate the effectiveness of personal hygiene (handwashing) amongst workers at industrial sites to remove lead from their hands, a retrospective analysis of hand wipe samples was conducted using data collected by ...To evaluate the effectiveness of personal hygiene (handwashing) amongst workers at industrial sites to remove lead from their hands, a retrospective analysis of hand wipe samples was conducted using data collected by two contractors from two bridge painting projects for total lead using method ASTM E-1979-17/EPA SW846 7000B. Exposures resulted from the removal of lead-based paint from the structure and trace elements of lead found in the abrasive blast media. In total, six work tasks were evaluated and sixty unique hand wipe samples were evaluated. Thirty samples were collected during the worker’s lunch break, after they had reportedly washed their hands with a further 30 collected at the end of the workday following the same protocol. To be included in this evaluation, the contractors were required to follow NIOSH Method 9105 (Lead in Dust Wipes-Dermal Surfaces) with subsequent analysis of samples for total lead by an American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) accredited laboratory. All 60 samples contained detectable lead. The lead exposures ranged from 19.5 μg to 3420 μg. The geometric mean for the samples collected was 337 μg. These results indicate that current personal hygiene practices at the evaluated sites are not effective at removing lead from worker’s hands during and after the workday. They also suggest that the residual lead measured on the workers’ hands, at the end of the shift, is likely contributing to the elevated blood lead levels in this population.展开更多
Naphthalene, a constituent of coal tar, is a contaminant frequently found at former manufactured gas plants (MGP). Development at these sites has resulted in residential and commercial areas with potential exposures f...Naphthalene, a constituent of coal tar, is a contaminant frequently found at former manufactured gas plants (MGP). Development at these sites has resulted in residential and commercial areas with potential exposures from vapor intrusion adversely affecting indoor air of residences and buildings. Naphthalene is routinely analyzed in soil vapor intrusion assessments for properties overlying and surrounding former MGP sites. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a proposed unit risk factor and the State of California has promulgated a unit risk factor for naphthalene. Naphthalene exposure from vapor intrusion is potentially a public health risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate three sites located in the northeast United States to determine the frequency of naphthalene detection in indoor air. A total of 79 properties were included in the study. A total of 546 indoor air samples were analyzed for naphthalene on 161 occasions. Naphthalene concentrations ranged from 0.26 to 51 μg/m3 of air. Only 3 of the 546 indoor air samples detected naphthalene above the ninety-fifth percentile background value of 12 μg/m3 of air. Risk analysis indicated naphthalene vapor intrusion was not a public health risk among the 79 properties built on or near the former MGP sites.展开更多
This research measured ambient levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) surrounding a petrochemical complex on the island of Curacao using passive air sampling. In addition, source elucidation of PAHs was con...This research measured ambient levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) surrounding a petrochemical complex on the island of Curacao using passive air sampling. In addition, source elucidation of PAHs was conducted using concentration profiles, distribution profiles, binary diagnostic ratios and factor analysis. Passive air samplers with polyurethane foam collection disks (PAS-PUFs) were deployed in 2011 (n = 43) and in 2014 (n = 30) to evaluate the extent of the emission plume as well as spatial and temporal differences in ambient PAH concentrations. In general, ambient PAH concentrations in Curacao were consistent with other urban and industrialized regions of the world;however, the levels measured downwind of Isla Refineriá petrochemical complex were among some of the highest reported ambient PAHs globally. Ambient PAH concentrations ranged from 1.2 to 790 ng/m3 in 2011 and 27 to 660 ng/m3 in 2014, demonstrating no temporal differences. However, significant spatial differences were detected between samples collected upwind and downwind of the petrochemical complex. Significantly higher ambient PAH concentrations were found in the samples collected downwind of the petrochemical complex compared to those upwind in 2014展开更多
Primary sources of atmospheric sulfur dioxide are anthropogenic activities associated with the burning of fossil fuels and industrial processes that may have associations with various morbidities and mortalities. As s...Primary sources of atmospheric sulfur dioxide are anthropogenic activities associated with the burning of fossil fuels and industrial processes that may have associations with various morbidities and mortalities. As such, several regional and global regulatory agencies have recommended ambient air limits to reduce environmental exposures. The objectives of this study were to evaluate ambient levels of sulfur dioxide surrounding an oil refinery on the island of Cura?ao. Levels which were then compared to literature values and recommended public health guidelines to determine potential public health risks. Concentrations of sulfur dioxide in Curacao were found to be among the highest globally with an increasing trend over time. While the epidemiological evidence does not conclusively suggest there is a health risk from these levels of exposure, SO2 concentrations greatly exceed regulatory and guidance levels and suggest that further emissions control is warranted. Future recommendations include a more rigorous epidemiological study in Cura?ao and expand the air monitoring efforts to include areas upwind of the refinery as well as additional petrochemical emissions.展开更多
Inhalation and atmospheric pollution studies have focused on particulate matter due to correlations and associations with various morbidities and mortalities. This research analyzed ambient concentrations of inhalable...Inhalation and atmospheric pollution studies have focused on particulate matter due to correlations and associations with various morbidities and mortalities. This research analyzed ambient concentrations of inhalable particulate matter (PM10) on the island of Curaçao in order to evaluate through comparative literature analysis and recommended public health guidelines the potential health risks. Available hourly, daily and monthly PM10 measurements were accessed from June 2010 through December 2014 from a local air monitoring station in Willemstad. Mean annual concentrations of PM10 (31 - 122 μg/m3) in Curaçao are among the highest reported globally, demonstrating an increasing trend over time and exceed current public health guidelines recommended by local and international agencies. While the epidemiological evidence is inadequate to infer a causal association between health effects and long-term exposures of the measured PM10 concentrations, the results indicate that emissions controls are not adequate for compliance with international exposure standards.展开更多
文摘Although considerable research has been conducted regarding airborne lead exposures during lead paint removal, little data has been collected measuring the lead concentration on workers’ hands in the construction industry. As a result, there are gaps in our understanding of the effectiveness of a standard work practice control (handwashing) in the prevention and control of elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in the workplace. The primary objective of this study was to assess if a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) formulation intended to remove lead from skin (Hygenall<sup><span style="white-space:nowrap;">© </span></sup>Leadoff<sup>TM</sup> Foaming Soap) is more effective than a commonly used soap in the industrial painting industry (Zep Cherry Bomb Soap) in reducing the concentration of lead on workers’ hands after exposure. A secondary aim was to assess if using Leadoff<sup>TM</sup> Foaming Soap during handwashing reduces worker uptake of lead on bridge painting projects. We evaluated hand wipe, air sample and blood lead level data collected by two industrial bridge painting contractors. Airborne exposures ranged from 350 μg/m<sup>3</sup> to 19,700 μg/m<sup>3</sup>. The geometric mean lead concentration remaining on workers’ hands after using Zep Cherry Bomb Soap was 77 μg per hand wipe compared with 61 μg per hand wipe after use of Leadoff<sup>TM</sup> Foaming Soap for all work classifications. The geometric lead concentration on workers’ hands decreased by 16 μg/hand wipe for all work classifications combined after using Leadoff<sup>TM</sup> Foaming Soap—a decrease of 21%. The use of Hygenall Leadoff<sup>TM</sup> Foaming Soap reduced the maximum lead concentration on workers’ hands by 85%. The geometric mean BLL for all work classifications was 12.1 μg/dl before the use of Leadoff<sup>TM</sup>. After two months of airborne exposure and use of Leadoff<sup>TM</sup> Foaming Soap at breaks and at the end of the workday, the geometric mean BLL for all work classifications increased to 18.1 μg/dl. Worker BLLs increased despite the reduction in the concentration of lead measured on workers’ hands—most likely a result of ineffective inhalation exposure controls. We found that the Leadoff<sup>TM</sup> Foaming Soap was more effective in removing lead from workers’ hands than Zep Cherry Bomb.
文摘To evaluate the effectiveness of personal hygiene (handwashing) amongst workers at industrial sites to remove lead from their hands, a retrospective analysis of hand wipe samples was conducted using data collected by two contractors from two bridge painting projects for total lead using method ASTM E-1979-17/EPA SW846 7000B. Exposures resulted from the removal of lead-based paint from the structure and trace elements of lead found in the abrasive blast media. In total, six work tasks were evaluated and sixty unique hand wipe samples were evaluated. Thirty samples were collected during the worker’s lunch break, after they had reportedly washed their hands with a further 30 collected at the end of the workday following the same protocol. To be included in this evaluation, the contractors were required to follow NIOSH Method 9105 (Lead in Dust Wipes-Dermal Surfaces) with subsequent analysis of samples for total lead by an American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) accredited laboratory. All 60 samples contained detectable lead. The lead exposures ranged from 19.5 μg to 3420 μg. The geometric mean for the samples collected was 337 μg. These results indicate that current personal hygiene practices at the evaluated sites are not effective at removing lead from worker’s hands during and after the workday. They also suggest that the residual lead measured on the workers’ hands, at the end of the shift, is likely contributing to the elevated blood lead levels in this population.
文摘Naphthalene, a constituent of coal tar, is a contaminant frequently found at former manufactured gas plants (MGP). Development at these sites has resulted in residential and commercial areas with potential exposures from vapor intrusion adversely affecting indoor air of residences and buildings. Naphthalene is routinely analyzed in soil vapor intrusion assessments for properties overlying and surrounding former MGP sites. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a proposed unit risk factor and the State of California has promulgated a unit risk factor for naphthalene. Naphthalene exposure from vapor intrusion is potentially a public health risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate three sites located in the northeast United States to determine the frequency of naphthalene detection in indoor air. A total of 79 properties were included in the study. A total of 546 indoor air samples were analyzed for naphthalene on 161 occasions. Naphthalene concentrations ranged from 0.26 to 51 μg/m3 of air. Only 3 of the 546 indoor air samples detected naphthalene above the ninety-fifth percentile background value of 12 μg/m3 of air. Risk analysis indicated naphthalene vapor intrusion was not a public health risk among the 79 properties built on or near the former MGP sites.
基金the Environmental Fund Netherlands Antilles(MINA Fund)and Mote Marine Laboratory for the financial support of this work
文摘This research measured ambient levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) surrounding a petrochemical complex on the island of Curacao using passive air sampling. In addition, source elucidation of PAHs was conducted using concentration profiles, distribution profiles, binary diagnostic ratios and factor analysis. Passive air samplers with polyurethane foam collection disks (PAS-PUFs) were deployed in 2011 (n = 43) and in 2014 (n = 30) to evaluate the extent of the emission plume as well as spatial and temporal differences in ambient PAH concentrations. In general, ambient PAH concentrations in Curacao were consistent with other urban and industrialized regions of the world;however, the levels measured downwind of Isla Refineriá petrochemical complex were among some of the highest reported ambient PAHs globally. Ambient PAH concentrations ranged from 1.2 to 790 ng/m3 in 2011 and 27 to 660 ng/m3 in 2014, demonstrating no temporal differences. However, significant spatial differences were detected between samples collected upwind and downwind of the petrochemical complex. Significantly higher ambient PAH concentrations were found in the samples collected downwind of the petrochemical complex compared to those upwind in 2014
基金the Environmental Fund Netherlands Antilles(MINA Fund)and Mote Marine Laboratory for the financial support of this work
文摘Primary sources of atmospheric sulfur dioxide are anthropogenic activities associated with the burning of fossil fuels and industrial processes that may have associations with various morbidities and mortalities. As such, several regional and global regulatory agencies have recommended ambient air limits to reduce environmental exposures. The objectives of this study were to evaluate ambient levels of sulfur dioxide surrounding an oil refinery on the island of Cura?ao. Levels which were then compared to literature values and recommended public health guidelines to determine potential public health risks. Concentrations of sulfur dioxide in Curacao were found to be among the highest globally with an increasing trend over time. While the epidemiological evidence does not conclusively suggest there is a health risk from these levels of exposure, SO2 concentrations greatly exceed regulatory and guidance levels and suggest that further emissions control is warranted. Future recommendations include a more rigorous epidemiological study in Cura?ao and expand the air monitoring efforts to include areas upwind of the refinery as well as additional petrochemical emissions.
文摘Inhalation and atmospheric pollution studies have focused on particulate matter due to correlations and associations with various morbidities and mortalities. This research analyzed ambient concentrations of inhalable particulate matter (PM10) on the island of Curaçao in order to evaluate through comparative literature analysis and recommended public health guidelines the potential health risks. Available hourly, daily and monthly PM10 measurements were accessed from June 2010 through December 2014 from a local air monitoring station in Willemstad. Mean annual concentrations of PM10 (31 - 122 μg/m3) in Curaçao are among the highest reported globally, demonstrating an increasing trend over time and exceed current public health guidelines recommended by local and international agencies. While the epidemiological evidence is inadequate to infer a causal association between health effects and long-term exposures of the measured PM10 concentrations, the results indicate that emissions controls are not adequate for compliance with international exposure standards.
