Rikke Bramming Jørgensen

Sorption behaviour of volatile organic compounds on material surfaces — The influence of combinations of compounds and materials compared to sorption of single compounds on single materials

Abstract The sorption of volatile organic compounds (VOC) on material surfaces was evaluated by chamber testing. The sorption of single VOCs was compared to the sorption of the combination of the VOCs and the sorption of single material surfaces was compared to the sorption of the combination of material surfaces. The sorption compounds were α-pinene and toluene, and the material surfaces were wool carpet and nylon carpet. The sink effect of the chambers and the effect of the loading of the materials were evaluated separately. The results show that the loading has no influence by itself. Relatively high loading minimises the sink effects of the test chamber and is therefore recommended. The presence of two chemical compounds at the same time gives correspondingly higher sorption compared to experiments with one compound at a time. The results indicate that the desorbed masses of individual compounds are additive, making prediction of the desorbed mass of combinations of compounds possible. The combination of two materials at the same time leads to higher sorption than one single material. The results indicate that the effect was additive, even if the results for α-pinene are not completely clear. There is a need for further research to investigate the sorption behaviour of combinations of materials as well as other combinations of common indoor compounds. A one-sink model, based on a linear Langmuir adsorption isotherm, appears adequate to describe the results.

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), mutagenic aldehydes and particulate matter during pan frying of beefsteak

Objectives Cooking with gas or electric stoves produces fumes, especially during frying, that contain a range of harmful and potentially mutagenic compounds as well as high levels of fine and ultrafine particles. The aim of this study was to see if polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and higher mutagenic aldehydes which were collected in the breathing zone of the cook, could be detected in fumes from the frying of beefsteak. Methods The frying was performed in a model kitchen in conditions similar to those in a Western European restaurant kitchen. The levels of PAHs (16 EPA standard) and higher aldehydes (trans,trans-2,4-decadienal, 2,4-decadienal, trans-trans-2,4-nonadienal, trans-2-decenal, cis-2-decenal, trans-2-undecenal, 2-undecenal) were measured during frying on an electric or gas stove with margarine or soya bean oil as the frying fat. The number concentration of particles <100 nm in size (ultrafine) was also measured, as well as the mass concentration of total particulate matter. Results Levels of naphthalene were in the range of 0.15–0.27 μg/m3 air. Measured levels of mutagenic aldehydes were between non-detectable and 61.80 μg/m3 air. The exposure level of total aerosol was between 1.6 and 7.2 mg/m3 air. Peak number concentrations of ultrafine particles were in the range of 6.0×104–89.6×104 particles/cm3 air. Conclusion Naphthalene and mutagenic aldehydes were detected in most of the samples. The levels were variable, and seemed to be dependent on many factors involved in the frying process. However, according to the present results, frying on a gas stove instead of an electric stove causes increased occupational exposure to some of the components in cooking fumes which may cause adverse health effects.

Simulated Restaurant Cook Exposure to Emissions of PAHs, Mutagenic Aldehydes, and Particles from Frying Bacon

This study investigated the exposure of cooks to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), higher mutagenic aldehydes, total particles, and ultrafine particles during cooking. Experiments were performed by pan frying fresh and smoked bacon on both electric and gas stoves, and with the gas alone. Detailed analyses of PAHs were performed, with analyses of the levels of 32 different PAHs. A TSI-3939 scanning mobility particle sizer system was used to measure the ultrafine particles. The results showed that total PAHs were in the range of 270–300 ng/m3 air. However, the smoked bacon experiment showed a somewhat different PAH pattern, whereby retene constituted about 10% of the total PAHs, which is a level similar to that of the abundant gas phase constituent phenanthrene. The reason for the elevated retene emissions is unknown. The total cancer risk, expressed as toxic equivalency factors, showed a somewhat higher risk on the electric stove (p < 0.05) compared with the gas stove. Levels of trans, trans-2,4-decadienal were between 34 and 54 μg/m3 air. The level of total particles was between 2.2 and 4.2 mg/m3. Frying on a gas stove caused a statistically significant higher amount of ultrafine particles compared with frying on an electric stove. Large variations in the mobility diameter at peak particle concentration were found (74.4 nm–153.5 nm). The highest mobility diameter was found for frying on an electric stove. The gas flame itself showed a maximum production of 19.5-nm-sized particles and could not be the explanation for the difference between frying on the gas stove and frying on the electric stove. No single indicator for the exposure to cooking fume could be selected. Each compound should be measured independently to provide a comprehensive characterization of the cooking exposure.

Sub-micrometer Particles: Their Level and How They Spread After Pan Frying of Beefsteak

Cooking fumes are among the most important sources of indoor fine and ultrafine particles. Exposure to ultrafine particles may cause pulmonary inflammation and enhance allergic reactions, especially in susceptible individuals. Limiting particular exposure caused by cooking may be important for these individuals. In this study, the number concentration of sub-micrometer particles and their spread during and after the frying of beefsteak were measured in a kitchen and the neighboring room. The kitchen was equipped with a modern extraction hood. The level of particles increased rapidly in the kitchen when frying was started regardless of the use of the hood. The sub-micrometer particles spread rapidly to the neighboring room. In both rooms, the main size fraction of the particles was below 0.5 μm. Continuing the extraction for 30 min after the end of frying gave a significantly reduced number of particles in all size fractions in the neighboring room.

Comparison of Three Real-Time Measurement Methods for Airborne Ultrafine Particles in the Silicon Alloy Industry.

The aim of this study was to compare the applicability and the correlation between three commercially available instruments capable of detection, quantification, and characterization of ultrafine airborne particulate matter in the industrial setting of a tapping area in a silicon alloy production plant. The number concentration of ultrafine particles was evaluated using an Electric Low Pressure Impactor (ELPITM), a Fast Mobility Particle Sizer (FMPSTM), and a Condensation Particle Counter (CPC). The results are discussed in terms of particle size distribution and temporal variations linked to process operations. The instruments show excellent temporal covariation and the correlation between the FMPS and ELPI is good. The advantage of the FMPS is the excellent time- and size resolution of the results. The main advantage of the ELPI is the possibility to collect size-fractionated samples of the dust for subsequent analysis by, for example, electron microscopy. The CPC does not provide information about the particle size distribution and its correlation to the other two instruments is somewhat poor. Nonetheless, the CPC gives basic, real-time information about the ultrafine particle concentration and can therefore be used for source identification.

Characterisation of Exposure to Ultrafine Particles from Surgical Smoke by Use of a Fast Mobility Particle Sizer

INTRODUCTION Electrosurgery is a method based on a high frequency current used to cut tissue and coagulate small blood vessels during surgery. Surgical smoke is generated due to the heat created by electrosurgery. The carcinogenic potential of this smoke was assumed already in the 1980s and there has been a growing interest in the potential adverse health effects of exposure to the particles in surgical smoke. Surgical smoke is known to contain ultrafine particles (UFPs) but the knowledge about the exposure to UFPs produced by electrosurgery is however sparse. The aims of the study were therefore to characterise the exposure to UFPs in surgical smoke during different types of surgical procedures and on different job groups in the operating room, and to characterise the particle size distribution. METHODS Personal exposure measurements were performed on main surgeon, assistant surgeon, surgical nurse, and anaesthetic nurse during five different surgical procedures [nephrectomy, breast reduction surgery, abdominoplasty, hip replacement surgery, and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)]. The measurements were performed with a Fast Mobility Particle Sizer (FMPS) to assess the exposure to UPFs and to characterize the particle size distribution. Possible predictors of exposure were investigated using Linear Mixed Effect Models. RESULTS The exposure to UFPs was highest during abdominoplasty arithmetic mean (AM) 3900 particles cm(-3) and lowest during hip replacement surgeries AM 400 particles cm(-3). The different job groups had similar exposure during the same types of surgical procedures. The use of electrosurgery resulted in short term high peak exposure (highest maximum peak value 272 000 particles cm(-3)) to mainly UFPs. The size distribution of particles varied between the different types of surgical procedures, where nephrectomy, hip replacement surgery, and TURP produced UFPs with a dominating mode of 9nm while breast reduction surgery and abdominoplasty produced UFPs with a dominating mode of 70 and 81nm, respectively. Type of surgery was the strongest predictor of exposure. When only including breast reduction surgery in the analysis, the use of one or two ES pencils during surgery was a significant predictor of exposure. When only including hip replacement surgery, the operating room was a significant predictor of exposure. CONCLUSION The use of electrosurgery resulted in short-term high peak exposures to mainly UFPs in surgical smoke. Type of surgery was the strongest predictor of exposure and the different types of surgical procedures produced different sized particles. The job groups had similar exposure. Compared to other occupational exposures to UFPs involving hot processes, the personal exposure levels for UFPs were low during the use of electrosurgery.

Personal exposure to ultrafine particles from PVC welding and concrete work during tunnel rehabilitation

Objectives To investigate the exposure to number concentration of ultrafine particles and the size distribution in the breathing zone of workers during rehabilitation of a subsea tunnel. Methods Personal exposure was measured using a TSI 3091 Fast Mobility Particle Sizer (FMPS), measuring the number concentration of submicrometre particles (including ultrafine particles) and the particle size distribution in the size range 5.6–560 nm. The measurements were performed in the breathing zone of the operators by the use of a conductive silicone tubing. Working tasks studied were operation of the slipforming machine, operations related to finishing the verge, and welding the PVC membrane. In addition, background levels were measured. Results Arithmetic mean values of ultrafine particles were in the range 6.26×105–3.34×106. Vertical PVC welding gave the highest exposure. Horizontal welding was the work task with the highest maximum peak exposure, 8.1×107 particles/cm3. Background concentrations of 4.0×104–3.1×105 were found in the tunnel. The mobility diameter at peak particle concentration varied between 10.8 nm during horizontal PVC welding and during breaks and 60.4 nm while finishing the verge. Conclusions PVC welding in a vertical position resulted in very high exposure of the worker to ultrafine particles compared to other types of work tasks. In evaluations of worker exposure to ultrafine particles, it seems important to distinguish between personal samples taken in the breathing zone of the worker and more stationary work area measurements. There is a need for a portable particle-sizing instrument for measurements of ultrafine particles in working environments.

The New Managerial Challenge: Transforming Environmental and Health Issues to Competitive Advantages

The major aim of the paper is to investigate how environmental (“green”) factors may influence on international business activities and the competitiveness of firms. The paper suggests that an environmental performance lower than the industry average would represent a risk for the firm, while a performance above the industry average could result in increased cost and/or increased competitiveness. Further, it is suggested that the average environmental performance in most industries will improve, due to a situation where most firms attempt to perform better than or equal to their industry’s average levels. The author present twelve specific recommendations for managers, aimed at improving firm competitiveness in international markets.

Real-Time Measurements and Characterization of Airborne Particulate Matter from a Primary Silicon Carbide Production Plant

Airborne particulate matter in the silicon carbide (SiC) industry is a known health hazard. The aims of this study were to elucidate whether the particulate matter generated inside the Acheson furnace during active operation is representative of the overall particulate matter in the furnace hall, and whether the Acheson furnaces are the main sources of ultrafine particles (UFP) in primary SiC production. The number concentration of ultrafine particles was evaluated using an Electrical Low Pressure Impactor (ELPITM, Dekati Ltd., Tampere, Finland), a Fast Mobility Particle Sizer (FMPSTM, TSI, Shoreview, MN, USA) and a Condensation Particle Counter (CPC, TSI, Shoreview, MN, USA). The results are discussed in terms of particle number concentration, particle size distribution and are also characterized by means of electron microscopy (TEM/SEM). Two locations were investigated; the industrial Acheson process furnace hall and a pilot furnace hall; both of which represent an active operating furnace. The geometric mean of the particle number concentration in the Acheson process furnace hall was 7.7 × 104 particles/cm3 for the UFP fraction and 1.0 × 105 particles/cm3 for the submicrometre fraction. Particulate matter collected at the two sites was analysed by electron microscopy. The PM from the Acheson process furnace hall is dominated by carbonaceous particles while the samples collected near the pilot furnace are primarily rich in silicon.