Many insulating materials are used in construction, although few have been reported to cause non-malignant respiratory illnesses. We aimed to investigate associations between exposures to insulating materials and non-malignant respiratory illnesses in insulators. In this cross-sectional study, 990 insulators (45 ± 14 years) were screened from 2011–2017 in Alberta. All participants underwent pulmonary function tests and chest radiography. Demographics, work history, and history of chest infections were obtained through questionnaires. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was diagnosed according to established guidelines. Associations between exposures and respiratory illnesses were assessed by modified Poisson regression. Of those screened, 875 (88%) were males. 457 (46%) participants reported having ≥ 1 chest infection in the past 3 years, while 156 (16%) were diagnosed with COPD. In multivariate models, all materials (asbestos, calcium silicate, carbon fibers, fiberglass, and refractory ceramic fibers) except aerogels and mineral fibers were associated with recurrent chest infections (prevalence ratio [PR] range: 1.18–1.42). Only asbestos was associated with COPD (PR: 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01, 2.05). Therefore, occupational exposure to insulating materials was associated with non-malignant respiratory illnesses, specifically, recurrent chest infections and COPD. Longitudinal studies are urgently needed to assess the risk of exposure to these newly implemented insulation materials.

Welding fumes vary in composition depending on the materials and processes used, and while health outcomes in full-time welders have been widely studied, limited research on apprentices exists. Besides, few data are available for metals such as vanadium and antimony. This study aimed to look at individual metals present in welding fumes in the learning environment of apprentice welders. Forty-three welders and 41 controls were chosen from trade programmes at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. Ambient and personal air samples were collected at days 0, 1, 7, and 50 of their training and analysed for mass and metal concentrations using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Results showed increases in particle and metal concentrations as apprentices progressed throughout their education and that concentrations at day 50 were similar to levels found in the literature for professional welders. Variable concentrations indicate that some individuals may not properly use the local exhaust ventilation system. Other possible explanation for variations are the position of the sampler on the shoulder, the time spent welding and in each welding position, and the skills of the welders. Strong relationships were observed between particle and metal concentrations, suggesting that these relationships could be used to estimate metal exposure in welders from particle exposure. Welding processes were the most important determinant of exposure in apprentice welders, with Metal Core Arc Welding producing the largest particle concentrations followed by oxyacetylene cutting, and Gas Metal Arc Welding. Health risk assessment showed that welder apprentices are at risk for overexposure to manganese, which suggests that professional welders should be monitored for manganese as they are exposed more than apprentices. Training in proper positioning of local exhaust ventilation system and proper use of respirators are recommended in training facilities.

This research investigates the effect of adsorbent bed configuration on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) adsorption with beaded activated carbon (BAC). Five-cycle adsorption/desorption tests using a single VOC (1,2,4-trimethylbenzene) and a mixture of nine VOCs were completed using fixed and fluidized bed adsorber configurations. Adsorption tests were completed with full loading of the adsorbent. All regeneration tests were completed in the fixed bed arrangement. The adsorption capacity of the BAC was not affected by the adsorption bed's configuration in case of reaching full breakthrough. For the VOC mixture, however, 30% less heel buildup was observed for the fluidized bed configuration. Higher accumulation of heavy adsorbates was found in fixed bed as opposed to fluidized bed, explaining the higher heel buildup in the former. On the other hand, improved mass transfer was found across the entire fluidized bed as a result of better gas-particle contact. These results show that, besides the expected engineering advantages of a fluidized bed adsorption system (e.g., lower pressure drop), decreased heel buildup is an additional advantage when using fluidized bed adsorption in industrial settings.

The increasing incidence of extreme wildfire is becoming a concern for public health. Although long-term exposure to wildfire smoke is associated with respiratory illnesses, reports on the association between short-term occupational exposure to wildfire smoke and lung function remain scarce. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from 218 Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers (mean age: 38 ± 9 years) deployed at the Fort McMurray wildfires in 2016. Individual exposure to air pollutants was calculated by integrating the duration of exposure with the air quality parameters obtained from the nearest air quality monitoring station during the phase of deployment. Lung function was measured using spirometry and body plethysmography. Association between exposure and lung function was examined using principal component linear regression analysis, adjusting for potential confounders. In our findings, the participants were predominantly male (71%). Mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and residual volume (RV) were 76.5 ± 5.9 and 80.1 ± 19.5 (% predicted). A marginal association was observed between air pollution and higher RV [β: 1.55; 95% CI: −0.28 to 3.37 per interquartile change of air pollution index], but not with other lung function indices. The association between air pollution index and RV was significantly higher in participants who were screened within the first three months of deployment (2.80; 0.91 to 4.70) than those screened later (−0.28; −2.58 to 2.03), indicating a stronger effect of air pollution on peripheral airways. Acute short-term exposure to wildfire-associated air pollutants may impose subtle but clinically important deleterious respiratory effects, particularly in the peripheral airways.

A Monte Carlo simulation technique is used to accurately measure metabolite concentrations in urine.