Occupational Exposure Assessment of Airborne Chemical Contaminants Among Professional Ski Waxers

Freberg, Baard Ingegerdsson; Olsen, Raymond; Daae, Hanne Line; Hersson, Merete; Thorud, Syvert; Ellingsen, Dag G.; Molander, Paal

doi:10.1093/annhyg/meu015

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 14 publications

(13 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Generally, exposure to some VOCs is likely to be higher in occupational settings than in residential indoor and outdoor settings (Jo and Song 2001 ; Jia et al 2008 ; Majumdar et al 2008 ; Freberg et al 2014 ; Tokumura et al 2016 ). Exposure to VOCs from solvent use tends to be high (Leung et al 2005 ; Uang et al 2006 ; Vitali et al 2006 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of the volatile organic compound recovery rates of commercial active samplers for evaluation of indoor air quality in work environments

Miyake

Tokumura

Wang

et al. 2017

Air Qual Atmos Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Industrial Safety and Health Law in Japan established administrative levels for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air. In the present study, these 49 VOCs were extracted from the absorbents of commercial active samplers from Sibata Scientific Technology (carbon-bead active sampler), SKC Inc. (Anasorb CSC sorbent tube), and Gastec (bead-shaped activated carbon tube) using carbon disulfide, and the recovery rates were compared. The VOCs were added to the adsorbents at three concentration levels relative to the administrative levels (×0.5, ×1, and ×2). The following mean recovery rates of the 49 VOCs were obtained at the ×0.5, ×1, and ×2 levels: 86, 93, and 92% for the Sibata sampler; 78, 82, and 84% for the SKC sampler; and 94, 93, and 90% for the Gastec sampler. With the Sibata sampler, the recovery rates of 78% (×0.5), 84% (×1), and 90% (×2) of the VOCs measured in this study were adequate (80–120%); the corresponding percentages for the SKC sampler were 67% (×0.5), 69% (×1), and 69% (×2), and those for the Gastec sampler were 92% (×0.5), 86% (×1), and 86% (×2). The effects of the octanol–water partition coefficients and vapor pressures of the VOCs on the recovery rates were investigated. The recovery rates increased with increases in the octanol–water partition coefficient and the vapor pressure and then leveled off. The recovery rates for the o-, m-, and p-cresol isomers were much lower than those obtained for other VOCs at all three concentration levels and with all samplers.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11869-017-0465-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of the volatile organic compound recovery rates of commercial active samplers for evaluation of indoor air quality in work environments

Miyake

Tokumura

Wang

et al. 2017

Air Qual Atmos Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Over the course of an 8-h workday, PFAS concentrations in area air samples were highest in the inhalable size fraction of aerosols [ 11 , 14 , 27 ]. PFCAs with carbon chain lengths from C 4 to C 14 dominate the PFAS profiles in air samples collected from ski waxing environments [ 11 , 14 , 27 , 28 ]. The highest reported concentrations were for perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA; mean, range 99, 1.39–333 μg/m 3 ), perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA; 26.5, 0.93–78.3 μg/m 3 ) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA; 16.0, 2.11–52.8 μg/m 3 ) [ 14 ].…”

Section: Pfas In Ski Waxmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In personal air samples collected from waxers’ breathing zones, PFAS profiles are similar to area samples, though concentrations tended to be higher [ 14 ]. In a follow-up study, PFAS comprised up to 50% by mass of the total particulate sample [ 28 ] and ironing pure fluoro powders produced the highest PM concentrations [ 12 ]. Sulfonic acids were detected in very few air samples, which is consistent with findings that show sulfonic acids are not common constituents of waxes and/or contributors to wax-related exposures.…”

Section: Pfas In Ski Waxmentioning

confidence: 99%

Respiratory Exposure to Highly Fluorinated Chemicals via Application of Ski Wax and Related Health Effects

Crawford,

Hartmann

2024

Curr Envir Health Rpt

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose Waxes containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are applied to the base of skis and snowboards (“skis”) to reduce friction with the snow surface and improve glide. PFAS exposure can adversely impact cardiometabolic, thyroid, liver, kidney, reproductive, and immune health and are associated with increased risk of certain cancers. In the present review, we summarize the state of the science on PFAS exposure from fluorinated ski wax use, including acute respiratory health effects and PFAS concentrations in biological and environmental media collected from ski waxing settings. Recent Findings Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acid (PFCA) concentrations in serum and air collected from professional wax technicians and the rooms where waxes are applied are among the highest of any occupation investigated to date, including the fluorochemical industry. High airborne concentrations of fluorotelomer alcohols contribute to high body burdens of certain PFCAs among ski waxers. Summary Fluorinated ski waxes are a significant source of PFAS exposure for people waxing skis and/or spending time in areas where waxing occurs. We highlight recommendations for future research, policy, and technologies needed to address PFAS exposures from fluorinated wax use.

show abstract

“…A Norwegian study monitoring 45 service workers during a cross-country race in Norway found the average concentration of PFCs in the air they inhaled was from 3.1 to 6.2 mg.m −3 , which exceeds the Norwegian limit (2 mg.m −3 ). These compounds can cause respiratory problems and other serious diseases [48]. Another Norwegian-Swedish study showed that PFCs in the blood of service workers was up to 45 times higher than the general population [7].…”

Section: The Health Risk Posed By Pfoamentioning

confidence: 99%

Corporate Social Responsibility of Companies Producing PFOA Containing Waxes for Cross-Country Skiing

Švermová

Černík

2020

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The chemical industry is a particularly sensitive sector that very often works with toxic, harmful and dangerous substances. This paper offers insight into the corporate socially responsible (CSR) behaviour of a specific segment of the chemical industry—the production of fluorinated ski waxes. Perfluorinated compounds, which excel in water and fat stability and repellency, are nowadays considered as harmful to human health and nature. During 2020, the basic compound, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), will be banned, and finding its replacement will be a difficult task. So far, there are no alternatives in terms of environmentally friendly compounds that can maintain the desired properties of extreme ski glide. Based on a questionnaire distributed to twenty wax producers worldwide, we have concluded that, although the attitudes of companies towards CSR certification was rather negative (87.5%), and companies had not developed or documented any CSR policy/strategy with specific goals, they found CSR activities/instruments beneficial and important. The survey highlighted the fact that companies were aware that their products are dangerous for the environment, and that environmental issues are important for all of the responders, despite them being mostly without certified systems. The size of a company had no significant effect on their attitude. Micro and small producers were involved in raising awareness of environmental policies and responsibilities to the same extent (maybe even more) as medium or large companies. We also found varying behaviours between companies involved in environmental programs and those who were not. The companies involved felt a strong attitude towards all three pillars of CSR, which are the environment, as well as social and economic aspects. Those companies not involved had a strong attitude towards their customers, but not towards their employees, suppliers or the wider community. They also had stronger feelings about the quality of their products and economic profit, but without a strong approach to the related environmental issues. The Norwegian approach and the commitment of the company Swix to CSR are two positive examples leading to a fluorine-free future.

show abstract

Occupational Exposure Assessment of Airborne Chemical Contaminants Among Professional Ski Waxers

Cited by 5 publications

References 14 publications

Comparison of the volatile organic compound recovery rates of commercial active samplers for evaluation of indoor air quality in work environments

Comparison of the volatile organic compound recovery rates of commercial active samplers for evaluation of indoor air quality in work environments

Respiratory Exposure to Highly Fluorinated Chemicals via Application of Ski Wax and Related Health Effects

Corporate Social Responsibility of Companies Producing PFOA Containing Waxes for Cross-Country Skiing

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About