Lorraine Conroy

Indoor air quality in a middle school, Part II: Development of emission factors for particulate matter and bioaerosols.

A middle school (grades 6 to 8) in a residential section of Springfield, Illinois, with no known air quality problems, was selected for a baseline indoor air quality survey. The study was designed to measure and evaluate air quality at the middle school with the objective of providing a benchmark for comparisons with measurements in schools with potential air quality problems. The focus of this article is on the development of emission factors for particulate matter and bioaerosols. The school was characterized as having no health complaints and good maintenance schedules. Four indoor locations including the cafeteria, a science classroom, an art classroom, the lobby outside the main office, and one outdoor location were sampled for various environmental comfort and pollutant parameters for one week in February 1997. Integrated samples (eight-hour sampling time) for respirable and total particulate matter, and short-term measurements (two-minute samples, three times per day) for bioaerosols were collected on three consecutive days at each of the sampling sites. Continuous measurements of carbon dioxide were logged at all locations for five days. Continuous measurements of respirable particulate matter were also collected in the lobby area. A linear relationship between occupancy and corresponding carbon dioxide and particle concentrations was seen. A completely mixed space, one compartment mass balance model with estimated CO2 generation rates and actual CO2 and particulate matter concentrations was used to model ventilation and pollutant emission rates. Emission factors for occupancy were represented by the slope of emission rate versus occupancy scatter plots. The following particle and bioaerosol emission factors were derived from the indoor measurements: total particles: 1.28 mg/hr/person-hr; respirable particles: 0.154 g/hr/person-hr; total fungi: 167 CFU/hr/person-min; thermophilic fungi: 35.8 CFU/hr/person-min; mesophilic fungi: 119 CFU/hr/person-min; total bacteria: 227 CFU/hr/person-min; gram-negative bacteria: 69.5 CFU/hr/person-min; gram-positive bacteria: 191 CFU/hr/person-min; Aspergillus: 17.0 CFU/hr/person-min; Penicillium: 161 CFU/hr/person-min; and yeasts: 16.4 CFU/hr/person-min.

Fatal falls in the US construction industry, 1990 to 1999.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) database allows for the detailed analysis of risk factors surrounding fatal occupational events. This study used IMIS data to (1) perform a risk factor analysis of fatal construction falls, and (2) assess the impact of the February 1995 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart M OSHA fall protection regulations for construction by calculating trends in fatal fall rates. In addition, IMIS data on fatal construction falls were compared with data from other occupational fatality surveillance systems. For falls in construction, the study identified several demographic factors that may indicate increased risk. A statistically significant downward trend in fatal falls was evident in all construction and within several construction categories during the decade. Although the study failed to show a statistically significant intervention effect from the new OSHA regulations, it may have lacked the power to do so.

Respiratory disease mortality among US coal miners; results after 37 years of follow-up

Objectives To evaluate respiratory related mortality among underground coal miners after 37 years of follow-up. Methods Underlying cause of death for 9033 underground coal miners from 31 US mines enrolled between 1969 and 1971 was evaluated with life table analysis. Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to evaluate the exposure-response relationships between cumulative exposure to coal mine dust and respirable silica and mortality from pneumoconiosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Results Excess mortality was observed for pneumoconiosis (SMR=79.70, 95% CI 72.1 to 87.67), COPD (SMR=1.11, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.24) and lung cancer (SMR=1.08; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.18). Coal mine dust exposure increased risk for mortality from pneumoconiosis and COPD. Mortality from COPD was significantly elevated among ever smokers and former smokers (HR=1.84, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.22; HRK=1.52, 95% CI 0.98 to 2.34, respectively) but not current smokers (HR=0.99, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.28). Respirable silica was positively associated with mortality from pneumoconiosis (HR=1.33, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.33) and COPD (HR=1.04, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.52) in models controlling for coal mine dust. We saw a significant relationship between coal mine dust exposure and lung cancer mortality (HR=1.70; 95% CI 1.02 to 2.83) but not with respirable silica (HR=1.05; 95% CI 0.90 to 1.23). In the most recent follow-up period (2000–2007) both exposures were positively associated with lung cancer mortality, coal mine dust significantly so. Conclusions Our findings support previous studies showing that exposure to coal mine dust and respirable silica leads to increased mortality from malignant and non-malignant respiratory diseases even in the absence of smoking.

VOC emission rates and emission factors for a sheetfed offset printing shop.

Emission rates were determined during production for a sheetfed offset printing shop by combining the measured concentrations and ventilation rates with mass balance models that characterized the printing space. Air samples were collected simultaneously on charcoal tubes for 12 separate 1-hour periods at 6 locations. Air samples and cleaning solvents were analyzed by gas chromatography for total volatile organic compounds (VOC) and 13 hydrocarbons. The average VOC emission rate was 470 g/hr with a range of 160-1100 g/hr. These values were in good agreement with the amounts of VOC, hexane, toluene, and aromatic C9s determined from estimated solvent usage and measured solvent compositions. Comparison of the emission rates with source activities indicated an emission factor of 30-51 g VOC/press cleaning. Based on the test observations it was estimated that this typical small printing facility was likely to release 1-2 T VOC/year. The methodology also may be useful for the surface coating industry, as emission rates in this study were determined without recourse to a temporary total enclosure and without interfering with worker activities, increasing worker exposure, or increasing safety and explosion hazards.

Demolition of High-Rise Public Housing Increases Particulate Matter Air Pollution in Communities of High-Risk Asthmatics

Abstract Public housing developments across the United States are being demolished, potentially increasing local concentrations of particulate matter (PM) in communities with high burdens of severe asthma. Little is known about the impact of demolition on local air quality. At three public housing developments in Chicago, IL, PM with an aerodynamic diameter <10 μm (PM10) and <2.5 μm were measured before and during high-rise demolition. Additionally, size-selective sampling and real-time monitoring were concurrently performed upwind and downwind of one demolition site. The concentration of particulates attributable to demolition was estimated after accounting for background urban air pollution. Particle microscopy was performed on a small number of samples. Substantial increases of PM10 occurred during demolition, with the magnitude of that increase varying based on sampler distance, wind direction, and averaging time. During structural demolition, local concentrations of PM10 42 m downwind of a demolition site increased 4- to 9-fold above upwind concentrations (6-hr averaging time). After adjusting for background PM10, the presence of dusty conditions was associated with a 74% increase in PM10 100 m downwind of demolition sites (24-hr averaging times). During structural demolition, short-term peaks in real-time PM10 (30-sec averaging time) occasionally exceeded 500 μg/m3. The median particle size downwind of a demolition site (17.3 μm) was significantly larger than background (3 μm). Specific activities are associated with real-time particulate measures. Microscopy did not identify asbestos or high concentrations of mold spores. In conclusion, individuals living near sites of public housing demolition are at risk for exposure to high particulate concentrations. This increase is characterized by relatively large particles and high short-term peaks in PM concentration.

Source Activity Modeling of Freon® Emissions from Open-Top Vapor Degreasers

Abstract Freon® emissions from vapor degreasing operations at an electronics manufacturing firm were studied. Freon concentrations were measured at nine locations around two open-top vapor degreasers (OTVDs) while simultaneous activity observations were made. Concentration measurements were obtained using both charcoal tube/gas chromatographic and Tedlar bag/infrared absorption methods. Advective air flow was found to influence the concentration pattern in the sampling area surrounding the degreasers. Because of this, the box model and an advective-diffusion model were used to translate area concentration measurements into emission rates. Regression analysis between emission rates and activity factors was used to develop emission factors for the degreasing operation. The two models gave very similar estimates of the total emissions from the two degreasers. The average emission predicted by the box model for the 6 hours with bag and charcoal-tube data was 74 g/hour, very close to the 95 g/hour predicted by...

Evaluating the association of workplace psychosocial stressors with occupational injury, illness, and assault.

This research project characterizes occupational injuries, illnesses, and assaults (OIIAs) as a negative outcome associated with worker exposure to generalized workplace abuse/harassment, sexual harassment, and job threat and pressure. Data were collected in a nationwide random-digit-dial telephone survey conducted during 2003–2004. There were 2151 study interviews conducted in English and Spanish. Analyses included cross tabulation with Pearsons Chi-Square and logistic regression analyses. Three hundred and fifty-one study participants reported having an OIIA during the 12 months preceding the study. Occurrences of generalized workplace harassment (OR = 1.53; CI = 1.33–1.75, p ⩽ 0.05); sexual harassment (OR = 1. 18; CI = 1.04–.34, p ⩽ 0.05); and job pressure and threat (OR = 1.26; CI = 1.10–1.45, p ⩽ 0.05) were significantly associated with reporting an OIIA. The psychosocial environment is significantly associated with an increased risk of OIIA. Further research is needed to understand causal pathways and to explore potential interventions.

Eye Injury in Migrant Farm Workers and Suggested Hazard Controls

The eyes are a common site of injury in agricultural operations. Identification of the cause of injury is important to inform preventive interventions. The objective of this study was to describe the hazards and mechanisms of acute traumatic injury to the eyes of agricultural workers who are hired in farming operations on a seasonal basis. A review of the literature was performed to summarize the mechanisms of eye injuries in agriculture. Field observations and informal interviews were performed to verify the literature and to determine whether there are eye hazards for farm workers that have not been reported in the literature. Additional mechanisms of injury were elicited, and suggested methods of injury prevention are presented here.

Positive tuberculin skin test reactions among house staff at a public hospital in the era of resurgent tuberculosis

BACKGROUND The number and significance of tuberculin skin test reactions were compared with self-reported baseline values among house staff working in a public hospital. High-risk medical specialties, locations, and infection control practices were examined. METHODS House staff interviews, tuberculin skin test applications, review of employee health service records, and environmental monitoring of high-risk areas were performed. RESULTS Among house staff self-reported as having negative tuberculin skin test status, 46.2% (95% CI 27.0% to 65.4%) of internal medicine house staff, compared with 4.8% (95% CI 4.3% to 13.9%) of house staff from other areas (p < 0.005), had positive results on a repeat tuberculin skin testing before graduation. These differences were not entirely explained by the use of surgical masks, year of training, or previous vaccination with bacille Calmette-Guérin. Most skin test reactions (69%) occurred among house staff who had not been vaccinated with bacille Calmette-Guérin. Increased skin reactivity probably represented excess conversions from unprotected exposure. Tuberculosis transmission was facilitated by delays in diagnosis, inadequate isolation facilities, and suboptimal ventilation. House staff did not comply with recommended tuberculosis surveillance because of time constraints, fear, and misunderstandings about tuberculin skin test interpretations in light of previous bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination. CONCLUSIONS House staff in high-exposure settings with suboptimal environmental controls are at increased risk for tuberculosis infection. Participation in surveillance programs can be increased by enlisting the participation and advocacy of respected medical colleagues, screening house staff differentially according to exposure and job classifications, and more accurately interpreting subsequent test results from baseline two-step testing.

Workplace Emission Factors for Hexavalent Chromium Plating

Abstract Effective control of emissions from electroplating is necessary to maintain a healthy workplace. However, in many cases the emission rates are not well characterized. This study describes a methodology to determine such rates with application to a hexavalent chromium plating line under production conditions. Area concentrations were determined from particulate samples collected on open-face filters using calibrated personal sampling pumps. Twelve sets of 1-hour samples were collected at six locations at different distances from the plating tanks and in the hood of the local exhaust system. The filters were analyzed using proton-induced X-ray emission spectroscopy. For each 1-hour period, measurements of area concentrations were transformed to emission rates by using a multipoint diffusion mass balance model in conjunction with measured ventilation rates. In addition, source activities such as area plated, ampere-hours consumed, and total power usage were recorded simultaneously with concentration...