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OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE jobs in "Corpus Christi" - TX
Mon, 14 May 2012 12:15:44 -0600
Occupational medicine opportunity near Corpus Christi, TX! Occupational medicine clinic in Alice, TX seeks additional provider! Mon thru Fri practice with normal office hours. Clinic see anywhere
OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE jobs in "Detroit" - MI
Mon, 14 May 2012 12:15:44 -0600
Occupational-Medicine physician needed for Metro Detroit area Monday - Friday, 8a - 6p Salary depending on experience Family Paid Health Insurance, Vacation, Sick/Personal and CME paid time Large

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health (Online First™)

Job demands, job resources, and work engagement of Japanese employees: a prospective cohort study
Sun, 06 May 2012 06:27:13 -0000
Abstract Purpose  Research on the prospective association of job demands and job resources with work engagement is still limited in Asian countries, such as Japan. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prospective association of job demands (i.e., psychological demands and extrinsic effort) and job resources (i.e., decision latitude, supervisor support, co-worker support, and extrinsic reward), based on the job demands-control (JD-C) [or demand-control-support (DCS)] model and the effort-reward imbalance (ERI) model, with work engagement among Japanese employees. Methods  The participants included 423 males and 672 females from five branches of a manufacturing company in Japan. Self-administered questionnaires, including the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), the Effort-Reward Imbalance Questionnaire (ERIQ), the nine-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9), and demographic characteristics, were administered at baseline (August 2009). At one-year follow-up (August 2010), the UWES-9 was used again to assess work engagement. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted. Results  After adjusting for demographic characteristics and work engagement at baseline, higher psychological demands and decision latitude were positively and significantly associated with greater work engagement at follow-up (β = 0.054, p = 0.020 for psychological demands and β = 0.061, p = 0.020 for decision latitude). Conclusions  Having higher psychological demands and decision latitude may enhance work engagement among Japanese employees. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s00420-012-0777-1Authors Akiomi Inoue, Department of Mental Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, 1-1 Iseigaoka, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, 807-8555 JapanNorito Kawakami, Department of Mental Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, JapanKanami Tsuno, Department of Mental Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, JapanAkihito Shimazu, Department of Mental Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, JapanKimiko Tomioka, Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijocho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8521, JapanMayuko Nakanishi, Nakanishi Healthcare Office, 1-27-39 Hiyoshihoncho, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-0062, Japan Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131
Use of health services by Finnish employees in regard to health-related factors: the population-based Health 2000 study
Sun, 06 May 2012 06:27:10 -0000
Abstract Objectives  The aims of this study were to describe the use of occupational health services and other health care of Finnish employees and to examine associations between health problems and risks, and primary care visits to occupational health nurses and physicians and other health care. Methods  A nationally representative sample of 3,126 employees aged 30–64 participated in the Health 2000 study, which consisted of a health interview, questionnaires, a clinical health examination, and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. The use of health services was measured by self-reported visits. Results  During the previous 12 months, 74 % of the employees visited occupational health services or municipal health centers, 52 % visited only occupational health services. From a third to a half of employees with lifestyle risks, depressive disorders or other health problems visited occupational health professionals. Obesity, burnout, insomnia, depressive mood, chronic impairing illnesses, and poor work ability were associated with visits to occupational health nurses. Among women, musculoskeletal diseases, chronic impairing illnesses, and poor work ability were associated with visits to occupational health physicians. Lower educational level, smoking, musculoskeletal diseases, chronic impairing illnesses, and poor work ability were associated with visits to health center physicians. Conclusions  This study showed the importance of occupational health services in the primary health care of Finnish employees. However, a considerable proportion of employees with lifestyle risks, depressive mood, and other health problems did not use health services. Occupational health professionals are in an advantageous position to detect health risks in primary care visits. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-12DOI 10.1007/s00420-012-0778-0Authors Annukka Ikonen, Vehkakulma 4 D, 02180 Espoo, FinlandKimmo Räsänen, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, FinlandPirjo Manninen, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Kuopio, FinlandMaria Rautio, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, FinlandPäivi Husman, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, FinlandAnneli Ojajärvi, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, FinlandPirkko Alha, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, FinlandKaj Husman, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131
Effectiveness of participatory training for prevention of musculoskeletal disorders: a randomized controlled trial
Sun, 29 Apr 2012 05:47:23 -0000
Abstract Purpose  Health and safety training program has been applied to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in workplace. We evaluated the effectiveness of participatory training and didactic training programs on MSD prevention among frontline workers in Shenzhen, China. Methods  The authors randomly assigned 918 workers from intervention factories to receive participatory training (intervention group), and 907 workers from intervention factories and 1,654 workers from control factories to receive didactic training (control_1 group, control_2 group, respectively) from June 1, 2008 to November 30, 2009. Participants were asked to report experience of ache, pain or discomfort in 10 body parts at baseline and 1 year after training. Data were analyzed to compare the MSD prevalence 1 year before and 1 year after training in different groups from 2009 to 2010. Results  The follow-up rate was 61 % (2,120/3,479) at 1 year after training. In the year after training, there were no statistically significant changes in the proportion of workers who reported MSD in any body part. MSD prevalence rates in the intervention group reduced from 16.8 to 9.9 % for lower extremities (χ2 = 13.102, p < 0.001) and from 12.9 to 8.3 % (χ2 = 9.433, p = 0.002) for wrist and finger at 1 year after training. However, the rates did not change significantly for upper back, lower back, neck, shoulder and elbow in the intervention group and for all 10 body parts in two control groups. Conclusions  Overall, the training programs did not seem to prevent the occurrence of MSD among frontline workers. However, participatory training might be effective to reduce MSD in the lower extremities and wrist and finger. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s00420-012-0775-3Authors Wenzhou Yu, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, ChinaIgnatius T. S. Yu, The School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, ChinaXiaorong Wang, The School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, ChinaZhimin Li, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Disease, Shenzhen, ChinaSabrina Wan, Hong Kong Workers’ Health Centre, Kowloon, Hong Kong, ChinaHong Qiu, The School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, ChinaHui Lin, Shenzhen Prevention and Treatment Center for Occupational Disease, Shenzhen, ChinaShaohua Xie, The School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, ChinaTrevor Sun, Hong Kong Workers’ Health Centre, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131
Is specific IgE antibody analysis feasible for the diagnosis of methylenediphenyl diisocyanate-induced occupational asthma?
Sat, 28 Apr 2012 05:56:08 -0000
Abstract Purpose  Early recognition improves the prognosis of isocyanate asthma. A major unanswered question is whether IgE-dependent mechanisms are of diagnostic value? Our objective was to appraise serological methods using various methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI)-albumin conjugates and weigh up the data versus the outcome of standardized comprehensive clinical diagnostics to evaluate the viability of immunological analysis in supportive MDI-asthma diagnosis (OAI). Methods  Specific IgE (sIgE) and IgG (sIgG) binding was measured with fluorescence enzyme immunoassay in 43 study subjects (using conjugates prepared in-vapor, in-solution and commercial preparations). The differential clinical diagnosis included standardized measurement of pulmonary function, non-specific bronchial hyper-responsiveness, specific MDI-prick test (MDI-SPT) and specific inhalation challenge (MDI-SIC). Results  Detailed diagnostic scheme allows the differential OAI and MDI-induced hypersensitivity pneumonitis (PI). The presumed OAI diagnoses were confirmed in 84 % (45 % cases having demonstrable sIgE antibodies) with RR 5.7, P > 0.001, when OAI diagnosis is correlated with MDI-SIC/MDI-SPT (RR 1.28 for MDI-SIC alone); sIgG antibodies were clinically relevant for PI and not for the OA diagnosis. MDI-specific IgE data generated with commercial ImmunoCAP preparations show high correlation with our in-vapor generated MDI conjugates. Conclusions  Isocyanate-specific IgE antibodies are not always detectable but their presence is strongly predictive of OAI and supportive for the diagnosis. MDI-SPT can be a valuable parameter differentiating OAI and PI. We have confirmed and extended published data showing that isocyanate-albumin conjugates perform better in specific antibody assays when prepared with volatile phase formulations and would like to stress additionally the necessity for further refinements and standardization in clinical diagnostics procedures. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-14DOI 10.1007/s00420-012-0772-6Authors Lygia Therese Budnik, Division of Occupational Toxicology and Immunology, Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University of Hamburg, Marckmannstrasse 129 b, Bld. 3, 20539 Hamburg, GermanyAlexandra M. Preisser, Division of Clinical Occupational Medicine, Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine and Outpatient Clinic, University Medical Center, Hamburg Eppendorf, GermanyHjalmar Permentier, Institute for Analytical Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry Center, University of Groningen, Groningen, The NetherlandsXaver Baur, Chair for Occupational Medicine, Medical Faculty, Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine, University of Hamburg, Hamburg Eppendorf, Germany Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131
Erratum to: Association between chronic morbidity and early retirement in Italy
Thu, 26 Apr 2012 06:26:13 -0000
Erratum to: Association between chronic morbidity and early retirement in Italy Content Type Journal ArticleCategory ErratumPages 1-2DOI 10.1007/s00420-012-0774-4Authors Tiziana Li Ranzi, Local Health Unit ASL TO3, Epidemiology Department, Piedmont Region, Via Sabaudia 164, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, ItalyAngelo d’Errico, Local Health Unit ASL TO3, Epidemiology Department, Piedmont Region, Via Sabaudia 164, 10095 Grugliasco, TO, ItalyGiuseppe Costa, Department of Public Health, University of Turin, Turin, Italy Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131
Burnout syndrome in seafarers in the merchant marine service
Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:45:33 -0000
Abstract Purpose  As seafarers face a wide range of psychosocial stressors on board, they may be endangered to develop burnout syndrome. This study aims to investigate respective indicators. Methods  In a cross-sectional study, 251 seafarers were asked about demographic data and job-related stressors. Particularly, the subscale emotional exhaustion (EE) of the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were used to assess the respective risks of job-related burnout and daytime sleepiness among seafarers. The statistical analysis was carried out using multiple logistic regression. Results  Within the whole study group, the EE score was elevated in 10.8 %. A higher EE score was found in 10.7 % of officers, in 4.5 % of lower crew ranks and in 25.0 % of the galley staff (p = 0.05). Furthermore, long working days were associated with an elevated EE score [OR 3.83 (CI 1.46–10.03)]. Emotional exhaustion was associated with a subjective perception of enough sleep on board [OR 3.33 (CI 1.17–9.46)], lack of care taken by the shipboard superiors and/or the shipping company [OR 1.19 (CI 1.04–1.36)], with high responsibility for work organisation of those involved in leadership [OR 1.46 (CI 1.20–1.78)] and with social problems due to the long periods of separation from their families [OR 1.19 (CI 1.02–1.39)], taking into account relevant demographic parameters. Conclusions  Compared with the majority of on-shore occupations, the burnout risk in seafaring seems to be moderate. To reduce the EE among seafarers, it is recommended to extend the sleeping time, to avoid long working hours, to improve the superiors’ communication and leadership skills, to diminish the superiors’ stress load caused by organisational duties and to support low-price telecommunication possibilities at home. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-10DOI 10.1007/s00420-012-0771-7Authors M. Oldenburg, Department of Maritime Medicine, Hamburg Port Health Centre, Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), Hamburg State Department for Health and Consumer Protection, University of Hamburg, Seewartenstrasse 10, 20459 Hamburg, GermanyH.-J. Jensen, Department of Maritime Medicine, Hamburg Port Health Centre, Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), Hamburg State Department for Health and Consumer Protection, University of Hamburg, Seewartenstrasse 10, 20459 Hamburg, GermanyR. Wegner, Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), Hamburg State Department for Health and Consumer Protection, University of Hamburg, Seewartenstrasse 10, 20459 Hamburg, Germany Journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental HealthOnline ISSN 1432-1246Print ISSN 0340-0131

Occupational Medicine - current issue

In this issue of Occupational Medicine
Noone, P. Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:12:13 -0700

What clinical records should we retain and for how long?
Torrance, I. Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:12:13 -0700

OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE CALENDAR
Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:12:13 -0700


pubmed: 0355-3140

Occupational lifting and pelvic pain during pregnancy: a study within the Danish National Birth Cohort.
Larsen PS, Strandberg-Larsen K, Juhl M, Svendsen SW, Bonde JP, Nybo Andersen AM Occupational lifting and pelvic pain during pregnancy: a study within the Danish National Birth Cohort. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2012 May 8; Authors: Larsen PS, Strandberg-Larsen K, Juhl M, Svendsen SW, Bonde JP, Nybo Andersen AM Abstract OBJECTIVES: Pelvic pain during pregnancy is a common ailment, and the disease is a major cause of sickness absence during pregnancy. It is plausible that occupational lifting may be a risk factor of pelvic pain during pregnancy, but no previous studies have examined this specific exposure. The aim of this study was to examine the association between occupational lifting and pelvic pain during pregnancy. METHODS: The study comprised 50 143 pregnant women, enrolled in the Danish National Birth Cohort in the period from 1996-2002. During pregnancy, the women provided information on occupational lifting (weight load and daily frequency), and six months post partum on pelvic pain. Adjusted odds ratios for pelvic pain during pregnancy according to occupational lifting were calculated by logistic regression. RESULTS: Any self-reported occupational lifting (>1 time/day and loads weighing >10 kg) was associated with an increased risk of pelvic pain during pregnancy as compared to no such lifting. A confounder-adjusted exposure-response relation was observed between self-reported total loads lifted and pelvic pain during pregnancy. Daily lifting of both medium (11-20 kg) and heavy loads (>20 kg) were associated with increased risk, and the highest risk was observed among women who lifted heavy loads independent of exposure to medium loads. CONCLUSION: Occupational lifting may increase the risk of pelvic pain during pregnancy. PMID: 22569778 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Annals of Occupational Hygiene - current issue

Diesel Exhaust Assessment
Ogden, T. L. Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:15:45 -0700

Systematic Review of Respiratory Outbreaks Associated with Exposure to Water-Based Metalworking Fluids
Burton, C. M., Crook, B., Scaife, H., Evans, G. S., Barber, C. M. Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:15:45 -0700
Introduction: Potential demographic risk factors for outbreaks of respiratory disease due to water-based metalworking fluids (MWFs) were investigated through systematic review of published outbreak investigations. Methods: Search terms were selected by a multidisciplinary team, assisted by an experienced library information service. Several computerized literature databases were searched for articles published between January 1990 and October 2011, relating to ill health outbreaks due to MWFs. Papers meeting the search criteria were reviewed in detail, and their references checked for additional articles. Study design and demographic details of the outbreak were extracted from the selected articles and entered into standardized evidence tables. Results: Thirty-five articles relating to investigations of 27 outbreaks of respiratory ill health attributed to MWF exposure were identified. The majority of reports were case series of disease or observational cross-sectional studies of symptoms and hygiene measurements. Eight of the outbreak investigations included an element of case–control analysis. Most outbreaks were from the USA, had occurred in large car- or aeronautical-manufacturing plants, and were associated with the use of central shared sumps. Hygiene studies have not demonstrated consistent risk factors for respiratory outbreaks, in terms of the type of MWF utilized, degree of microbial contamination, or levels of personal exposure. Six studies were identified that found workers with MWF exposure during outbreaks were more likely to report respiratory or systemic symptoms than unexposed control workers. Six case–control analyses were also identified that found workers with extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) were more likely to demonstrate certain immune responses to microbial contaminants and/or used MWFs than workers without EAA. Conclusion: Despite a number of detailed workplace and immunological studies of asthma and alveolitis outbreaks in MWF-exposed workforces, our understanding of their aetiology remains limited.
The Diesel Exhaust in Miners Study: V. Evaluation of the Exposure Assessment Methods
Stewart, P. A., Vermeulen, R., Coble, J. B., Blair, A., Schleiff, P., Lubin, J. H., Attfield, M., Silverman, D. T. Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:15:45 -0700
Exposure to respirable elemental carbon (REC), a component of diesel exhaust (DE), was assessed for an epidemiologic study investigating the association between DE and mortality, particularly from lung cancer, among miners at eight mining facilities from the date of dieselization (1947–1967) through 1997. To provide insight into the quality of the estimates for use in the epidemiologic analyses, several approaches were taken to evaluate the exposure assessment process and the quality of the estimates. An analysis of variance was conducted to evaluate the variability of 1998–2001 REC measurements within and between exposure groups of underground jobs. Estimates for the surface exposure groups were evaluated to determine if the arithmetic means (AMs) of the REC measurements increased with increased proximity to, or use of, diesel-powered equipment, which was the basis on which the surface groups were formed. Estimates of carbon monoxide (CO) (another component of DE) air concentrations in 1976–1977, derived from models developed to predict estimated historical exposures, were compared to 1976–1977 CO measurement data that had not been used in the model development. Alternative sets of estimates were developed to investigate the robustness of various model assumptions. These estimates were based on prediction models using: (i) REC medians rather AMs, (ii) a different CO:REC proportionality than a 1:1 relation, and (iii) 5-year averages of historical CO measurements rather than modeled historical CO measurements and DE-related determinants. The analysis of variance found that in three of the facilities, most of the between-group variability in the underground measurements was explained by the use of job titles. There was relatively little between-group variability in the other facilities. The estimated REC AMs for the surface exposure groups rose overall from 1 to 5 μg m–3 as proximity to, and use of, diesel equipment increased. The alternative estimates overall were highly correlated (~0.9) with the primary set of estimates. The median of the relative differences between the 1976–1977 CO measurement means and the 1976–1977 estimates for six facilities was 29%. Comparison of estimated CO air concentrations from the facility-specific prediction models with historical CO measurement data found an overall agreement similar to that observed in other epidemiologic studies. Other evaluations of components of the exposure assessment process found moderate to excellent agreement. Thus, the overall evidence suggests that the estimates were likely accurate representations of historical personal exposure levels to DE and are useful for epidemiologic analyses.
A Comparative Field Study on Dust Measurements by Different Sampling Methods with Emphasis on Estimating Factors for Recalculation from Chinese 'Total Dust' Measurements to Respirable Dust Concentrations
Yang, L., Chen, W., Wang, Z., Sun, J., Wang, L., Yi, G., Yang, J., Li, J., Mao, G., Mattenklott, M., Koob, M., Sun, Y., Bochmann, F., Dahmann, D. Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:15:45 -0700
In China, dust samplers were originally designed to collect ‘total dust’ for a short term during production, which is different from the widely adopted sampling strategy for dust. With the aim to provide the conversion factor from Chinese total dust to US and German respirable dust and to look at the influences on conversion factors from environment, production, and instruments, a comparative field study on the dust concentration measurements by different sampling methods was carried out in the same Chinese industries as in the 1989–1990 study and in some other factories. A supplemental experiment was also conducted in a wind tunnel. Dust concentration was measured with a parallel sampling strategy by using the following samplers: 10-mm nylon cyclone for US respirable dust (AR), FSP-Berufsgenossenschaftliches Institut für Arbeitssicherheit (BIA) cyclone for German respirable dust (GR), and samplers for Chinese total dust (CT). Totally, 1434 samples were collected (269 AR, 198 GR, and 967 CT), from which 429 matched sample pairs (249 pairs of AR/CT, 180 GR/CT) were available to calculate conversion ratios. Industry- and job-based conversion factors are presented in this study. The conversion factor of AR/CT was 0.38 for tungsten mines, 0.19 for copper/iron mines, 0.65 for tin mines, and 0.20 for pottery industry, while the factor of GR/CT was 0.69 for tungsten, 0.37 for copper/iron, and 0.52 for pottery. In the job category, AR/CT factors varied from 0.16 to 0.96 and GR/CT from 0.12 to 0.72. For the industries studied in 1988–1989, the AR/CT and GR/CT factors were 0.29 and 0.45, respectively. Both factors were definitely influenced by production, CT dust concentration, sample gain, and variation of dust concentration. Moreover, the respirable dust concentration by FSP-BIA was significantly higher than that by 10-mm cyclones, 63.27–73.10% more as showed also by the wind tunnel experiment. Meanwhile, the GR/CT ratio was significantly larger than the AR/CT in every industry or job with only few exceptions. The GR/CT estimates should be considered as independent ones. Following these results, there is a need to use ‘ideal samplers’ (consistent with the internationally accepted respirable fraction) in practice and to assess the existent samplers in order to homogenize the exposure data situation.
Quartz Measurement in Coal Dust with High-Flow Rate Samplers: Laboratory Study
Lee, T., Lee, E. G., Kim, S. W., Chisholm, W. P., Kashon, M., Harper, M. Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:15:45 -0700
A laboratory study was performed to measure quartz in coal dust using high-flow rate samplers (CIP10-R, GK2.69 cyclone, and FSP10 cyclone) and low-flow rate samplers [10-mm nylon and Higgins–Dewell type (BGI4L) cyclones] and to determine whether an increased mass collection from high-flow rate samplers would affect the subsequent quartz measurement by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analytical procedures. Two different sizes of coal dusts, mass median aerodynamic diameter 4.48 μm (Coal Dust A) and 2.33 μm (Coal Dust B), were aerosolized in a calm air chamber. The mass of coal dust collected by the samplers was measured gravimetrically, while the mass of quartz collected by the samplers was determined by FTIR (NIOSH Manual of Analytical Method 7603) and XRD (NIOSH Manual of Analytical Method 7500) after one of two different indirect preparations. Comparisons between high-flow rate samplers and low-flow rate samplers were made by calculating mass concentration ratios of coal dusts, net mass ratios of coal dusts, and quartz net mass. Mass concentrations of coal dust from the FSP10 cyclone were significantly higher than those from other samplers and mass concentrations of coal dust from 10-mm nylon cyclone were significantly lower than those from other samplers, while the CIP10-R, GK2.69, and BGI4L samplers did not show significant difference in the comparison of mass concentration of coal dusts. The BGI4L cyclone showed larger mass concentration of ~9% compared to the 10-mm nylon cyclone. All cyclones provided dust mass concentrations that can be used in complying with the International Standard Organization standard for the determination of respirable dust concentration. The amount of coal dust collected from the high-flow rate samplers was found to be higher with a factor of 2–8 compared to the low-flow rate samplers but not in direct proportion of increased flow rates. The high-flow rate samplers collected more quartz compared to low-flow rate samplers in the range of 2–10. There was no significant difference between the per cent (%) quartz in coal dust between the FTIR and XRD analyses. The findings of this study indicated that the increased mass of quartz collected with high-flow rate samplers would provide precise analytical results (i.e. significantly above the limit of detection and/or limit of quantification) compared to the mass collected with low-flow rate samplers, especially in environments with low concentrations of quartz or where short sampling times are desired.
Use of the MEGA Exposure Database for the Validation of the Stoffenmanager Model
Koppisch, D., Schinkel, J., Gabriel, S., Fransman, W., Tielemans, E. Mon, 09 Apr 2012 08:15:45 -0700
Objectives: This paper explores the usefulness of the exposure database MEGA for model validation and evaluates the capability of two Stoffenmanager model equations (i.e. handling of powders/granules and machining) to estimate workers exposure to inhalable dust. Methods: For the task groups, ‘handling of powders and granules’ (handling) and ‘machining of wood and stone’ (machining) measurements were selected from MEGA and grouped in scenarios depending on task, product, and control measures. The predictive capability of the model was tested by calculating the relative bias of the single measurements and the correlation between geometric means (GMs) for scenarios. The conservatism of the model was evaluated by checking if the percentage of measurement values above the 90th percentile estimate was ≤10%. Results: From 22 596 personal measurements on inhalable dust within MEGA, 390 could be selected for handling and 1133 for machining. The relative bias for the task groups was –25 and 68%, respectively, the percentage of measurements with a higher result than the estimated 90th percentile 11 and 7%. Correlations on a scenario level were good for both model equations as well for the GM (handling: rs = 0.90, n = 15 scenarios; machining: rs = 0.84, n = 22 scenarios) as for the 90th percentile (handling: rs = 0.79; machining: rs = 0.76). Conclusions: The MEGA database could be used for model validation, although the presented analyses have learned that improvements in the database are necessary for modelling purposes in the future. For a substantial amount of data, contextual information on exposure determinants in addition to basic core information is stored in this database. The relative low bias, the good correlation, and the level of conservatism of the tested model show that the Stoffenmanager can be regarded as a useful Tier 1 model for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals legislation.

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