Toshio Nagoya

Chemical Exposure Levels in Printing Workers with Cholangiocarcinoma

Chemical Exposure Levels in Printing Workers with Cholangiocarcinoma: Kenichi YAMADA, et al. Occupational Health Research and Development Center, Japan Industrial Safety and Health Association—

COMPARISON OF PAHS, NITRO-PAHS AND OXY-PAHS ASSOCIATED WITH AIRBORNE PARTICULATE MATTER AT ROADSIDE AND URBAN BACKGROUND SITES IN DOWNTOWN TOKYO, JAPAN

Atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), nitro-PAHs and oxy-PAHs are emitted from primary sources. Some nitro-PAHs and oxy-PAHs can also arise from secondary formation in the atmosphere. To assess the relative importance of these sources, the polycyclic aromatic compound (PAC) concentrations were determined at a roadside (Roadside site) and on a rooftop (Urban Background site) in downtown Tokyo Japan. The concentrations of PAHs, 1-nitropyrene and oxy-PAHs at the Roadside site were higher than those at the Urban Background site, while 2-nitrofluoranthene levels were the same at both sites. However, the mean ratios of concentrations at the Urban Background site to the Roadside site were in the order 1,8-naphthalic anhydride>9,10-anthraquinone>PAHs or 1-nitropyrene or acenaphthenequinone or benzanthrone. This suggests that in addition to vehicle emissions, a considerable fraction of some of the oxy-PAHs studied originates from another source, which might be secondary formation by atmospheric PAH degradation, and this contribution varied among the oxy-PAHs.

A survey on the use of respirators among dust workers in outdoor working environments

OBJECTIVES The aim of this survey was to clarify the current status of the use of respirators among dust workers in outdoor working environments. METHODS The participants were 38 male workers exposed to dust, who were engaged in arc welding or quarrying in outdoor working environments. We interviewed participants about wearing and storage of respirators on site. The participants were asked 9 questions about the selection, use, fitness, maintenance, storage, and instruction in the use of respirators. RESULTS The results of this study show that all participants wore the approved dust respirators, even though it is not legally necessary to wear a respirator in outdoor working environments. Instruction about the use of respirators was found to be effective regarding inspection of the valve and headband, the fitness between the facepiece and face, the time of wearing, and storage place. However, the interviews revealed that there was insufficient knowledge about the reasons for and frequency of filter replacement. Compared to our preliminary study, the use of a knitcover decreased from 73% to 21%. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that workers should be given better information on the selection, use, maintenance, and storage place of respirators to protect workers against dust exposure.

Guidelines for personal exposure monitoring of chemicals: Part I

This Document, “Guidelines for personal exposure monitoring of chemicals” (“this Guideline”), has been prepared by “The Committee for Personal Exposure Monitoring” (“the Committee”) of the Expert Division of Occupational Hygiene & Ergonomics, Japan Society for Occupational Health. Considering the background of the growing importance of personal exposure monitoring in risk assessment and the need to prepare for the introduction of monitoring using personal samplers from an administrative perspective in recent years, the Committee was organized in November 2012. The Committee has prepared this Guideline as a “practical guideline” for personal exposure monitoring, so as to offer proposals and recommendations to the members of the Japan Society for Occupational Health and to society in general. The scope of this Guideline covers all chemical substances and all related workplaces regarded as targets for general assessment and the management of risk. It thus is not to be considered to comment on legal regulations and methodology. The main text provides the basic methods and concepts of personal exposure monitoring, while 31 “Appendices” are provided later in this Guideline throughout the series; technical descriptions, statistical bases, and actual workplace examples are provided in these appendices, to assist better understanding. The personal exposure monitoring described as per this Guideline is equivalent to an “expert‐centered basic method to reasonably proceed with the assessment and management of risk at workplaces.” It is considered that practicing and expanding on this method will significantly contribute in reforming the overall framework of occupational hygiene management in Japan.

Adsorption and catalysis mechanism of CFC-11 in NaX zeolite

Summary Apply NaX zeolite to catch and decompose the molecules of Chlorofluorocarbons(CFCs) and determine the behaviour of CFC-11 molecules in zeolitic pores by using various methods; powder X-ray diffractometory, Rietveld analysis, Gas Chromatography, Ion Chromatography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance measurement. Each step of the decomposition process of the CFC-11 molecules in the zeolitic pores were characterized.