Analysis of Airborne Dust as a Result of Plaster Cast Sawing

Abstract

Plaster splints are used daily in surgical and orthopedic fields in order to immobilize injured children and adults. The aim of this study was to measure the aerodynamic diameter and concentration of dust particles in the air caused by sawing plaster splints (calcium sulfate dehy-drate). We performed fractional measurements of airborne dust particles. The measured particles, which can potentially be inhaled, may have a specific negative effect on human health. Measurements were conducted in laboratory research facilities that simulated hospital conditions within a casting room and the associated waiting room. Measurements within the casting room were made using two particle collector devices and one laser photometer. The measurement for the simulated waiting room was performed using the same principles and devices. The collected plaster dust particles differed in aerodynamic diameter and concentration according to the various locations observed. The highest concentration of particles of all sizes was recorded at the site of cast sawing. There was direct correlation between distance from the source and concentration of airborne particles; this concentration was lowest in the waiting room. The concentrations of plaster dust recorded were lower than the recommended minimal limit values for total and respiratory fractions in Croatia. Accordingly, it can be assumed that sawing of plaster splints has no harmful health effects on the exposed patients and health personnel.

Influence of number of visitors and weather conditions on airborne particulate matter mass concentrations at the Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia during summer and autumn

“…We also wanted to see the behaviour of the indoor PM 1 fraction over these months (that is, under the same local outdoor meteorological conditions), as – to the best of our knowledge – only a few studies reported any PM levels in indoor environments in Croatia, mostly urban, including schools and universities ( 10 , 11 ), or related to simulated or real occupational exposure in hospitals ( 12 ) and metal workshops ( 13 ), but none in rural background environment.…”

Measurement of Airborne Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds Produced During the Heat Treatment Process in Manufacturing Welding Materials

“…Health hazards associated with nanoparticles have been extensively reported [ 24 ]. As shown in Table 4 , for the Inlets and Outlets evaluated in this study, the airborne particles corresponding to the sizes of 10–100 nm accounted for 77–86% of all particles, significantly higher than that at workplaces investigated in previous studies [ [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] ]. In addition, the contribution of nanoparticles (100 nm) in airborne particles during heat treatment was higher than in other workplaces, indicating that there are many fine particles present even when the mass concentration of airborne particles is low.…”