Exposure Assessment to Suggest the Cause of Sinusitis Developed in GrindingOperations Utilizing Soluble Metalworking Fluids: Donguk PARK et al. Korea National Open University, Korea-A worker who ground the inner parts of camshafts for automobile engines using water-soluble metalworking fluid (MWF) for 14 yr was diagnosed with sinusitis. We postulated that the cause of sinusitis might be associated with exposure to microbes contaminating the water-soluble MWF used in the grinding operation. To uncover responsible agents for this case of sinusitis, a quantitative exposure assessment for chemical and biological agents was made and prevalence of work-related respiratory symptoms was investigated by questionnaire. The exposure ranges of MWF mist (0.59 mg/m 3 to 2.12 mg/ m 3 ) measured during grinding exceeded 0.5 mg/m 3 of the recommended exposure limit (REL). Grinders' exposures to bacteria, fungi and endotoxins were also generally higher than not only the proposed standards, but also those reported by several studies investigating the causes of respiratory effects. Statistical tests indicated that the prevalence rate of reported symptoms related to nasal cavities showed no significant differences among the operations. Evaluation of grinding operation characteristics and the quantitative exposure assessment indicated that repeated exposure to MWF mist, including water-soluble MWF contaminated with microbes may cause respiratory diseases like sinusitis or at least increase susceptibility to the development of sinusitis. Further study is underway to identify environmental risk factors for sinusitis by analyzing the relationship between medical examination results and plant characteristics including exposure data. (J Occup Health 2005; 47: 319-326)

The "type of waste-handling activity" was the only factor that significantly affected airborne levels of bacteria and GNB, accounting for 38% (P = 0.029) and 50% (P = 0.0002) of the variation observed in bacteria and GNB levels, respectively. In terms of fungi, the type of waste-handling activity (R2 = 0.76) and whether collection had also occurred on the day prior to sampling (P < 0.0001, R2 = 0.78) explained most of the observed variation. Given that the type of waste-handling activity was significantly correlated with levels of bacteria, GNB, and fungi, we suggest that various engineering, administrative, and regulatory measures should be considered to reduce the occupational exposure to airborne microorganisms in the waste-handling industry.

ObjectivesThis study examined how ethanolamines (EAs) with the same functional alcohol group (HOCH2CH2), such as mono-EA (MEA), di-EA (DEA), and tri-EA (TEA), in water-based metalworking fluids (wbMWFs) are vaporized, condensed, and transformed by heat generated during metalworking.MethodsTwo types of experimental apparatus were manufactured to achieve these objectives.ResultsVaporization tests using a water bath showed that the vaporization rate increased markedly from 0.19 mg/m2·min at 23.5℃ to 8.04 mg/m2·min at 60℃. Chamber tests with a heat bulb revealed that "spiked" MEA was fully recovered, while only 13.32% of DEA and no TEA were recovered. Interestingly, non-spiked types of EAs were detected, indicating that heat could convert EAs with more alcohol groups (TEA or DEA) into other EAs with fewer group(s) (DEA or MEA). The EA composition in fresh fluid was 4% DEA, 66% TEA, and 30% MEA, and in used fluids (n = 5) was 12.4% DEA, 68% TEA, and 23% MEA. Conversion from TEA into DEA may therefore contribute to the DEA increment. Airborne TEA was not detected in 13 samples taken from the central coolant system and near a conveyor belt where no machining work was performed. The DEA concentration was 0.45 mg/m3 in the only two samples from those locations. In contrast, airborne MEA was found in all samples (n = 53) regardless of the operation type.ConclusionMEAs easily evaporated even when MWFs were applied, cleaned, refilled, and when they were in fluid storage tanks without any metalworking being performed. The conversion of TEA to DEA and MEA was found in the machining operations.

Recycling is a main issue in protection of the environment and waste collection and sorting have much higher value in current recycling policies than they did previously. Waste collectors, like firefighters and policemen, are working for the public benefit, however, waste collection is more dangerous than either police or firefighting work. In the USA, waste collectors are 10 times more likely than the average worker to die on the job. Waste collectors also suffer from musculoskeletal disorders, infectious diseases and various injuries. If we truly appreciate the worth of waste collectors, we need to improve their working environment and personal hygiene. Furthermore, abolishing discrimination will be a very important step towards greater protection for waste collectors.

mental conditions such as traffic levels and the type of waste transport vehicle. (J Occup Health 2013; 55: 503-510) Key words: Household waste, House waste-handling work, Size-selective particulate matter Workers handling municipal wastes can be exposed to bioaerosols including bacteria, endotoxins, mold spores, glucan, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) and infectious materials 1) , as well as vehicle exhaust fumes, noise, extreme temperatures and ultraviolet radiation 2,3) . Bioaerosol exposure is associated with a high risk of respiratory health problems for waste handlers 4−10) . Few studies have assessed particulate matter (PM) levels generated during municipal waste-handling work. In addition, little is known about the environmental and occupational factors that may affect levels of PM with various size characteristics. The PM levels in this study were classified by particle size fraction into the following categories: inhalable particulate matter (IPM), respirable particulate matter (RPM), PM 10 (aerodynamic diameter, Dp≤10 µ m), PM 2.5 (aerodynamic diameter, Dp≤2.5 µ m) and PM 1 (aerodynamic diameter, Dp≤1 µ m), thus providing an indication of either the health effect or air-quality value. To our knowledge, no study has assessed PM levels including the fine PM levels, such as PM 2.5 and PM 1 , generated during municipal waste-handling work.The aims of this study were to assess PM levels and fractions characterized by size, to examine the relationship between PM levels and to assess the effect of the type of waste-handling activity on levels of coarse and fine PM. This study was conducted to assess the size characteristics of particulate matter (PM) generated during waste collection and sorting, and to assess the effect of the type of waste-handling activity on levels of coarse and fine PM. Methods: A portable aerosol spectrometer calibrated to 1.2 l/min was used to monitor PM generated during four types of wastehandling activities. The types of PM measured included inhalable particulate matter (IPM), PM 10 , respirable particulate matter (RPM), PM 2.5 and PM 1 . Twenty-eight data sets with 3,071 subsets recorded every 6 sec were categorized according to occupational and environmental classifications, including type of waste-handling activity. An ANOVA was used to compare PM levels characterized by size. Significant variables with p-values <0.25 were included in a multiple regression model for predicting levels of each PM. Results: The average levels of PM 10 and PM 2.5 greatly exceeded the air-quality levels enforced by the Korean Ministry of the Environment. The highest PM 2.5 fine-particle levels monitored were during waste-transfer work, while the highest IPM and PM 10 coarse-particle levels monitored were during waste-sorting work. The type of waste-collection activity was the only factor that significantly affected both PM 2.5 and IPM, accounting for 36% (p=0.0034) and 40% (p=0.0049), respectively, of the observed variations. None of the factors affected PM 10 or RPM levels. Conclus...