Field comparison of two inhalable samplers used in Italy to measure the wood dust exposure

Abstract

Background: Particle size affects the performance of personal air samplers used to measure dust exposure in the workplace. Few field studies have been conducted for comparing the performance of personal inhalable samplers. Objective: To compare wood dust sampling with two inhalable samplers: IOM (Institute of Occupational Medicine) and Italian cone. Methods: 136 Italian cone/IOM paired samples and 136 passive IOM samples were collected in 30 Italian woodworking industries. The valid number of sample pairs was 114. Ultra-large particles were collected by passive IOM. The sampling membranes were weighed and the size particles were measured. Mass differences in active and passive IOM samples were calculated (IOM-Δ). Results: Statistical analysis of all 114 Italian cone/active IOM paired results showed a significant mass difference (P < 0.05) and no significant mass difference for sanding and cutting woodworking processes. The Italian cone/IOM-Δ paired results consistently showed no statistically significant mass differences in any woodworking processes. Both samplers performed similarly when ultra-large particles mass contribution was not considered. Conclusions: These findings confirm the presence of ultra-large particles in woodworking. The Italian cone and IOM samplers can be used interchangeably for personal wood dust exposure assessment, when the wood activities produce small-size particles.

Review of Workplace Based Aerosol Sampler Comparison Studies, 2004–2020

“…The IOM head has been compared with other inhalable samplers, e.g., the Button sampler [ 32 ] and with the CIP 10-l sampler [ 33 ]. Inhalable samplers less commonly compared included the Italian Cone Sampler [ 34 ] which was compared with the IOM sampler and the Gesamtstaub-Probenahmesystem (GSP) sampler [ 35 , 36 ] which was compared with the Button, IOM sampler, 37-mm CFC, and the CIP-10l samplers [ 35 ] as well as the 37-mm CFC sampler [ 36 ].…”

“…Nine studies were identified in metals/metalloids workplace settings ( Appendix C ) including for aluminium [ 39 ], lead [ 41 ] and alloys such as copper-beryllium [ 36 ]. Five studies were identified as comparing samplers in wood processing environments [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 40 ]. Agriculture settings accounted for two studies [ 30 , 43 ].…”

“…However, all samplers sampled more dust than the 37-mm CFC, with the IOM sampler sampling twice as much as the 37-mm CFC. For sanding, cutting, and planning activities, Campopiano et al [ 34 ] concluded that the IOM sampler at a sampler flow rate of 2 L min −1 and Italian Cone sampler at a sampler flow rate of 3.5 L min −1 for the inhalable fraction can be interchanged when small-size particles are produced. In sanding processes (where small size particles are produced), no statistically significant differences were observed for the Italian cone/IOM sampler ( p > 0.05).…”

“…Nonmetal/metalloids settings were limited to nine publications. With the exception of agriculture (two studies; [ 30 , 43 ]) and wood settings (five studies; [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 40 ], settings with one publication included brick manufacturing (for brick dust) and road paving.…”

Oxidative stress induction in woodworkers occupationally exposed to wood dust and formaldehyde

“…These differences could be explained considering different tasks performed by workers in the industries belonging to the wood sector. The different processes are known to produce particles with different size: smaller particles are associated with sanding, while larger particles with planning and shaping processes [ 41 ]. Concerning FA, the lower mean concentrations were found in the furniture industry and in the doors factory, among which no significant differences were found.…”