bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovative components of Smart Cities with a special focus of Water Distribution Systems Challenges and Opportunities: A Review
Authors: Rathi Shweta , Gola Vijay Kumar
Published: June 2024

Smart cities are becoming a topic of significant interest as cities are continuously growing, facing numerous challenges in different sectors such as Environmental, Water Resources, Transportation, Structural aspects and others. Cities are facing increasing demand for resources and experiences new challenges related to sustainability, reliability and resilience in all the domains. Thus, smart cities concept is considered as an emerging way to urbanization and other challenges worldwide, using technology like the Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics, mining and artificial intelligence (AI), etc. to analyse data for intelligent choices to improve urban life and sustainability. In this study, six innovative components of smart cities are defined and critical review of all the components i.e. Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), Water management (WM), Sustainable Environment (SE), Green Infrastructure (GI), Structure health monitoring (SHM) and Governance and Citizens Participation are provided. Many studies are focused to define the city to be smart but still there are many consensuses are there to define the term “Smart City”. The focus of the study is to discuss the challenges and opportunities inwater distribution systems (WDS), one of the crucial components of water supply systems Also, to highlights the recommended solutions to the growing challenges in WDSs.
Cancer cell migration depends on adjacent ASC and adipose spheroids in a 3D bioprinted breast cancer model
Authors: Horder Hannes , Böhringer David , Endrizzi Nadine , Hildebrand Laura S , Cianciosi Alessandro , Stecher Sabrina , Dusi Franziska , Schweinitzer Sophie , Watzling Martin , Groll Jürgen , Jüngst Tomasz , Teßmar Jörg , Bauer-Kreisel Petra , Fabry Ben , Blunk Torsten
Published: June 2024

Breast cancer develops in close proximity to mammary adipose tissue and interactions with the local adipose environment have been shown to drive tumor progression. The specific role, however, of this complex tumor microenvironment in cancer cell migration still needs to be elucidated. Therefore, in this study, a 3D bioprinted breast cancer model was developed that allows for a comprehensive analysis of individual tumor cell migration parameters in dependence of adjacent adipose stroma. In this co-culture model, a breast cancer compartment with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells embedded in collagen is surrounded by an adipose tissue compartment consisting of adipose-derived stromal cell (ASC) or adipose spheroids in a printable bioink based on thiolated hyaluronic acid. Printing parameters were optimized for adipose spheroids to ensure viability and integrity of the fragile lipid-laden cells. Preservation of the adipogenic phenotype after printing was demonstrated by quantification of lipid content, expression of adipogenic marker genes, the presence of a coherent adipo-specific extracellular matrix, and cytokine secretion. The migration of tumor cells as a function of paracrine signaling of the surrounding adipose compartment was then analyzed using live-cell imaging. The presence of ASC or adipose spheroids substantially increased key migration parameters of MDA-MB-231 cells, namely motile fraction, persistence, invasion distance, and speed. These findings shed new light on the role of adipose tissue in cancer cell migration. They highlight the potential of our 3D printed breast cancer-stroma model to elucidate mechanisms of stroma-induced cancer cell migration and to serve as a screening platform for novel anti-cancer drugs targeting cancer cell dissemination.
State Capitalism(s) Redux?
Authors: Alami Ilias , Dixon Adam D
Published: June 2024

The current proliferation of social scientific signifiers old and new, such as ‘geoeconomic world order’, ‘political capitalism’, ‘post-neoliberal statism’, to name but a few, both testify to turbulent material transformations in the modalities of state intervention, and to the vitality of scholarly attempts at theorizing them. Arguably, none of these terms embodies this intellectual effervescence more than the ‘new state capitalism’, a rubric which has gained increasing traction across the social sciences as well as in business and political commentary to register the enhanced role of the state in capitalist economy and society. In setting up the scene for the remainder of the book, this introductory chapter presents a wealth of data points to illustrate the magnitude of this expansion. It then briefly reviews how the term state capitalism has recently been used in both academic and policymaking circles and notes some important conceptual and definitional problems. Despite the latter, which are explored at length in the book, an extremely lively and promising pluri-disciplinary research agenda has coalesced around the rubric state capitalism, demonstrating its potential for focusing scholarly efforts on the changing role of the state in present-day capitalism, and the drastic reconfiguration of its role as promoter, supervisor, and owner of capital. As such, the chapter contends that state capitalism deserves the attention of political economists, economic geographers, political scientists, international business and strategic management analysts, development studies scholars, and other social scientists. The chapter then offers an overview of the argument and chapter outline of the book.
Attrition and exhaustion
Authors: Echevarria II Antulio J.
Published: June 2024

Two of the more frequently used military strategies are attrition and exhaustion. Attrition means reducing an adversary’s physical capacity to fight; exhaustion entails wearing down the opponent’s willingness to do so. Both strategies can mean long wars, imposing heavy burdens on a nation’s population and economy, meaning they are not always culturally acceptable or economically practical. The Allies’ strategy in the Second World War is a modern example of attrition. A strategy of exhaustion can take several forms: blockades, sieges, guerrilla warfare, and “scorched earth” policies that destroy the physical ground an attacker might use. Physical and political geographies in the region will affect the implementation of either strategy.
Deterrence and compellence
Authors: Echevarria II Antulio J.
Published: June 2024

Compellence simply means compelling adversaries to do something, while deterrence is dissuading opponents from doing something. Together, these strategies constitute the fundamental dynamic driving most peacetime and wartime situations, at the highest echelons of diplomacy as well as the lowest levels of tactics. From the standpoint of military strategy, it is rarely sufficient to compel one’s foes to do something; usually one must also deter them from doing something else. Both strategies require similar conditions for success: reliable knowledge of one’s opponent, credible military power, active monitoring, and some shared communications and expectations. Without the latter two especially, both deterrence and compellence are vulnerable to unanticipated events.
Introduction
Authors: McMillen Christian W.
Published: June 2024

What are pandemics? The National Institutes of Health proposed pandemics must meet eight criteria: wide geographic extension, disease movement, high attack rates and explosiveness, minimal population immunity, novelty, infectiousness, contagiousness, and severity. The introduction explains that much of the way we confront pandemics now has been shaped by the past history of pandemic and epidemic disease. There is a clear relationship between disease and social conditions, conditions that vary across time and space and that will not be alleviated with biomedicine. The question of susceptibility—who gets a disease and why—is also important. Epidemics and pandemics cannot occur without a dense and mobile population.
Tuberculosis
Authors: McMillen Christian W.
Published: June 2024

Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, emerged in Africa about seventy thousand years ago. It accompanied modern humans on their migrations out of Africa, across the Indian Ocean, and then into Eurasia. Tuberculosis affects almost all parts of the body. Its most common and deadly form, carried in tiny droplets through the air from person to person and highly infectious, is pulmonary tuberculosis. It thrives in densely packed places. ‘Tuberculosis’ outlines the spread of the disease, early attempts to combat it, Robert Koch’s identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 1882, the development of the BCG vaccine in 1908, the use of antibiotics, and the growing multi-drug-resistant TB problem. Especially important is the relationship between HIV/AIDS and TB.
Surveillance technologies in context
Authors: Lyon David
Published: June 2024

This chapter considers the significance of surveillance in the modern world and today’s digital times. It considers the smartphone as a universal symbol of connectivity and surveillance since millions of people handily carry one whenever and wherever. Even though people often think of new kinds of society being produced by technology, new technologies are also the product of specific social, economic, and political arrangements. The chapter looks into surveillance technologies from different perspectives, which includes Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) as a mode of remote policing and the key symbol of surveillance. It also explains how surveillance technologies mediate social relationships, which includes the huge role that social media plays in today’s social life.
378 Revolutionizing occupational hygiene – exploring the future of real-time monitoring, remote control monitoring, and data analysis
Authors: Badenhorst Casper
Published: June 2024

Real-time occupational hygiene measurements are revolutionizing the field by providing organizations with the ability to monitor and respond to workplace health hazards in real-time. This proactive approach allows for immediate action to be taken, minimizing the potential for harm to employees. One of the key benefits of real-time monitoring is improved employee health and safety. By continuously collecting data on factors such as air quality, noise levels, and temperature, organizations can identify potential risks and address them promptly. This not only reduces the likelihood of exposures, accidents and injuries but also improves overall employee well-being and satisfaction.

The adoption of real-time monitoring systems brings about various benefits, including improved employee health and safety, increased productivity, compliance with regulations, cost savings, and a positive reputation within the community.

The practical implementation and integration of real-time occupational hygiene measurements however require expertise in different domains and jurisdictions. In this keynote, I will explore the key factors for success when incorporating real-time monitoring and delve into its advantages and benefits. Additionally, I will address the challenges and limitations that must be considered. The aim is to provide a strategic framework and potential roadmap for the long-term integration of real-time monitoring within the practice of occupational hygiene.
44 MUST - A user-friendly tool for the calculation of measurement uncertainty for methods of workplace exposure
Authors: Wippich Cornelia , Rissler Jörg , Dospil Jana
Published: June 2024

What is measurement uncertainty? Why does it need to be calculated for measurement methods of workplace exposure/ workplace air? How is the expanded measurement uncertainty calculated for these methods? These questions are an important part of the quality assurance for each method validation. The “Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement” (GUM) has basically laid the foundations for uncertainty calculation but the application of these mathematical methods is often obstructed my misunderstandings and various interpretations in several standards. The chemical laboratories at the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Germany have targeted to solve the misunderstandings and create a mathematical framework for different measurement methods to achieve a situation, where the declaration of uncertainty is a real benefit: one can show compliance, improve the methods, and rely on results based on quantitative data. For this purpose firstly influence factors on the result of a measurement, their systematic and random effects, as well as their sensitivity coefficients must be determined for both: sampling and analytical methods. In a next step a mathematical model must be created. Models for three different measurement methods of air monitoring (sampling with subsequent thermodesorption, extraction methods or metals in inhalable or respirable dust fractions) were calculated and are now conveniently dealt with in the background of a user-friendly open-source software. With this software the expanded measurement uncertainty can be calculated for various concentrations and it can be determined how strongly the individual effects of influence factors are involved.
55 Dissolution of inorganic lead compounds in synthetic sweat to assess workplace risk of dermal exposure
Authors: Niemeier Richard
Published: June 2024

Over 1.4 million U.S. workers have dermal exposures to iPb compounds.. Studies suggest that these dermal exposures could increase blood lead levels (BLLs) by as much as 6.3 µg/dl. However, little data is available on the dissolution of iPb compounds in skin surface film liquids (SSFLs) to determine the potential for Pb ion formation. Dissolution measures ion formation in SSFLs and can be influenced by interactions with the components in SSFLs. Dissolution data is useful for modeling bioavailability via dermal absorption using the concentration of ions in sweat and the permeation rate (Kp) through the skin.

The study objectives were: 1) determine the pH-dependent static dissolution and kinetics of iPb compounds in SSFLs: Pb2+ nitrate (PbN), Pb2+ acetate (PbA), Pb2+ oxide (PbO), Pb2+/4+ red oxide (PbRO); and 2) provide screening estimates of the potential impact of these compounds on BLLs. Estimated concentration of Pb ions available was used along with available Kp values to provide an understanding of the potential dermal bioavailability of these compounds.

The iPb compounds are bioaccessible in SSFLs; dissolution of PbN and PbA at 8 h was 36.4–61.1% compared to 0.01–2.5% for PbO and PbRO. Screening estimates suggest that BLLs may be increased by 0.7–8 µg/dL for these iPb compounds. The screening level estimates based on this model suggest that the impact on BLLs warrants a more comprehensive assessment. More research is needed including dissolution of iPb particles from industrial settings and the impact of particle size on dissolution.
90 Measurements of benzene exposure in the oil and gas industry – comparison between passive and active sampling
Authors: Graff Pål , Olsen Raymond
Published: June 2024

Exposure to benzene is still an occupational hazard in the oil and gas industry. The Norwegian occupational exposure limit (OEL) for benzene has recently been reduced to 0.2 ppm – which, according to the Norwegian legislation gives an OEL of 0.12 ppm for 12h shifts used in the oil and gas industry. Thus, raising the need to more up to date exposure assessment and also to measure exposure on tasks which previously might have been overlooked due to presumed low exposure.

Air sampling of benzene was performed with TD tubes (Carbopac X) both with passive sampling and active sampling (20 mL/min). For the passive sampling the TD-tubes were equipped with a diffusive cap and for the active sampling TD-tubes with a diffusion lock was used to prevent contamination.

In total 426 workers, both at offshore facilities and land-based facilities within the oil and gas industry participated in the study. Resulting in 390 active and 425 passive samples of benzene with a total of 385 measurements where both active and passive sampling were performed on the same worker.

There was no statistically significant difference in measured air concentrations of benzene offshore compared to onshore. A slightly higher benzene concentration was measured using passive air sampling compared to active air sampling, however, no statistically significant difference between active and passive air sampling was found.
99 Protecting workers from respirable crystalline silica exposure: Validity and reliability assessment of dust control climate questionnaire
Authors: Anlimah Frederick , Gopaldasani Vinod , MacPhail Catherine , Davies Brian
Published: June 2024

Aim

This research aims to assess and improve the management of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure among workers in Australian tunnelling projects by introducing and measuring the “dust control climate.”

Problem or Situation

Tunnelling projects contribute towards infrastructure development but expose workers to RCS, leading to silicosis, lung cancer, and other health issues. Despite existing control measures, RCS exposure remains a concern. Previous research has identified factors affecting RCS exposure control in tunnelling but lacks worker input. Additionally, while safety climate studies are common, little focus is given to occupational hygiene, particularly RCS exposure.

Methods

Based on the NOSACQ-50 safety climate questionnaire, the concept of dust control climate is defined as workers’ perceptions and awareness of dust prevention and control strategies. The adapted tool contained 52 items and has been reviewed by tunnelling experts for content validity. After administering the questionnaire on a tunnelling project, the psychometric properties of the dust control climate tool were tested.

Results

The questionnaire yielded a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.93, and factor analysis revealed robust inter-component relationships, affirming its reliability and validity in assessing dust control climate.

Conclusion

A tool was developed to measure dust control climate using the NOSACQ-50 safety climate tool as a foundation. Its reliability and validity were established by applying and analysing the tool’s constructs. This tool holds promise for enhancing dust control practices in tunnelling and various industries, as it considers the perspectives of workers and management.
106 Variability of within- and between-worker exposure to chemical agents in France: information from the Colchic occupational exposure database
Authors: Emili Andrea , Mater Gautier
Published: June 2024

The well-cited work of Kromhout et al. (1993) was the first large-scale study reporting workplace exposure variability and its within- and between-worker components. Few other studies are available on this central topic of exposure assessment. Here we present information on workplace exposure variability obtained from the Colchic occupational exposure database, which contains more than one million measurements for over 700 chemicals, collected since 1987 in French workplaces. We defined Similar Exposure Groups (SEGs) on the basis of occupation, task, and chemical agent and we evaluated the within- and between-worker components of exposure variability on a “by establishment” basis for the period 2010-2022. Data selection criteria included at least two workers per establishment and at least three personal measurements per worker, including measurements taken in the same or in different days. Measurements duration was comprised between 30 and 540 minutes. We evaluated variability using the total worker geometric standard deviation (GSDt) and its within- (GSDw) and between- (GSDb) components, as estimated by ANOVA. In addition, we calculated the rho heterogeneity coefficient and the R ratio. Median values for GSDt, GSDw and GSDb were 2.27, 1.92, and 1.28, respectively. Rho values were comprised between 0 and 0.92, with a median of 0.18. The R ratio was comprised between 1 and 1627, with a median of 3 and a 75th percentile of 10. Our results are similar to those published by Kromhout et al. (1993) and show that “monomorphic groups” with an R ratio ≤ 2 represent 42% of the 383 SEGs identified.
127 Assessing fungal burden and its implications for health in an elderly care center: a comprehensive study
Authors: Cervantes Renata , Dias Marta , Pena Pedro , Gomes Bianca , Almeida-Silva Marina , Viegas Carla
Published: June 2024

The study aimed to assess fungal burden in an elderly care center and its implications for health for both workers and elderly, considering the recent release of the WHO Fungal priority pathogens list (WHOFPL).

Two sampling campaigns were conducted between 2022 and 2023. The results were obtained from air samples, and fungal contamination was characterized by culture-based methods, through the inoculation onto two different culture media: malt extract agar (MEA) supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.05%) and dichloran-glycerol agar (DG18). The most prevalent species in both sampling campaigns were Cladosporium sp. followed by Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus sp. Regarding Aspergillus sections, its diversity decrease on DG18 between sampling campaigns (2022: 5 sections on DG18) and (2023: 3 sections on DG18). The most prevalent sections in 2022 campaign were Flavi on MEA (62.5%) and Circumdati and Nidulantes on DG18 (41.67%), whereas in 2023 most prevalent section was Nigri on MEA (60%) and Aspergilli on DG18 (41.67%). Notably, Aspergillus section Fumigati, belonging to the High Priority Group, was found in the 2022 campaign (1.00×101 CFU.m-3), while Mucor sp. and Rhizopus sp., both belonging to the Critical Priority Group, were found in both campaigns (2022:1.00×101 CFU.m-3 and 2023: 2.00×101 CFU.m-3).

The presence of these priority fungal pathogens supports the importance of assessing the fungal burden in the elderly care centers and to maintain the surveillance needed in the scope of patient safety and occupational health.
177 Incentives to promote OHS
Authors: Leblanc Rene
Published: June 2024

On the topic of ‘Beyond Compliance’ the presentation will discuss about incentives that can, could, should be used by Employers to implement OSH in their organisation. The presentation will review some highlights of the past hundred years from strikes, regulations, technology advance, accountability, financial and reputational impacts.
183 Chemotoxic emergency response capability at a nuclear facility
Authors: Parris Adrian
Published: June 2024

This case study details the chemotoxic emergency management arrangements including detection, identification and measurement capabilities at a nuclear facility. The presentation will provide an overview of the regulatory drivers, the emergency management structure in response to chemotoxic events and the extended benefits having this capability has provided in reducing the sites chemical footprint.
202 Determinants of asphalt fumes and potential control measures to reduce occupational exposure
Authors: van Deurssen Erik
Published: June 2024

With the current alteration of the bitumen production process, it is not exactly known to which hazardous substances road pavers are exposed to. In an ongoing Dutch exposure survey ~70 exposure measurements are performed to

1.establish these components

2.find exposure determinants

3.evaluate the effect of control measures.

Personal and stationary exposure measurements (15 different mixtures) were performed for volatile organic compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, phthalates, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, and asphalt fumes. Similar exposure groups identified were asphalt paving operator, engine driver and asphalt labourer. Furthermore, an experimental set-up was designed to evaluate the effect of ventilation system to extract bitumen fumes.

The results clarify that the exposure for some of the measured components cannot be classified as compliant according to the criteria mentioned in EN 689. Especially asphalt fumes, formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde were found for both the personal and stationary measurements. The highest exposure levels were found for the asphalt paving operator and the engine driver (20-35% OEL).

Mixtures containing a higher percentage of newly added bitumen, high temperature asphalt, polymer modified bitumen and clear bitumen binders result in the highest exposure concentrations (factor 2-3 difference). Applying a ventilation unit to extract bitumen fumes results in a significant decrease at the surface where the asphalt is dispensed, but for personal exposure this reduction in exposure is not observed. More data will be available during the conference to provide data for optimizing technical control measures in order to reduce occupational exposure to carcinogenic asphalt fumes.
233 Establishing internal occupational exposure standards for elongate mineral particles
Authors: Korchevskiy Andrey , Rasmuson James
Published: June 2024

Approaches to setting up occupational exposure standards for asbestos vary between different countries and agencies. Occupational health professionals working internationally face the need to establish internal target standards for asbestos exposure that would protect workers worldwide. It is especially important for the areas and workplaces where asbestos is present as a naturally occurring contaminant, or as a part of so called “legacy” asbestos, still present in buildings and other objects and products.

The talk will present several approaches to setting up the standards for occupational exposure to asbestos and other elongate mineral particles with consideration of the sources and characteristics of the fibrous minerals, size and habit of the fibers, and exposure scenarios. Based on the most recent epidemiological analysis, it will be shown that various exposure standards can be proposed for several major mineral types of asbestos, including chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, and tremolite. Several case studies will be reviewed to demonstrate the value of the internal occupational exposure standards.

The presentation will also cover the situation of setting up standards for emerging types of elongate mineral particles, e.g., erionite, fluoro-edenite, balangeroite, and other.

Examples of the exposure reduction programs to achieve the target levels of airborne asbestos concentrations will be presented and discussed.
237 Airborne trichloramine in Swedish indoor swimming pools
Authors: Johannesson Sandra , Eriksson Kåre , Wastensson Gunilla , Westerlund Jessica , Graff Pål
Published: June 2024

Trichloramine is a disinfection by-product in chlorinated swimming pools, it can evaporate into air and cause irritation to eyes and airways. The aim of this study was to evaluate indoor air concentrations of trichloramine in different types of swimming pools across Sweden, and to investigate factors (determinants) that affect the levels. In total 72 swimming pools; 36 exercise-, 16 instruction-, 7 adventure-, and 13 rehabilitation pools were included. Stationary measurements were performed by the pool side using active sampling on quartz filters, analyzed using suppressed ion chromatography and conductivity detection. For public exercise pools the geometric mean concentration of trichloramine was 0.12 mg/m3 (range: 0.02-0.29 mg/m3). Geometric means for instruction- and adventure pools GM were 0.18 mg/m3 and 0.20 mg/m3, respectively. Trichloramine concentrations were statistically significantly lower in rehabilitation pools compared with the other pool types. For the exercise pools, a statistically significantly effect of time of the day for sampling was found, with higher levels during evenings compared with mornings and afternoons. Free but not combined chlorine in the pool water was associated with airborne trichloramine for exercise and rehabilitation pools while the opposite was found for the instruction pools. Number of swimmers in the pool during sampling was not identified as a significant determinant for airborne trichloramine, however, some of the highest concentrations were measured during intense pool activities. With repeated samplings the variability in measured concentrations could be estimated, and it was found that between- as well as within-pool variance contributed to the total variability of airborne trichloramine. The observed day-to-day variability encourages a repeated sampling strategy.
242 Case Study: The challenges of developing and implementing a global risk management programme
Authors: Laffey Tom
Published: June 2024

The presentation uses a case study of an organisation’s development and implementation of a global Legionella risk management programme.

Internal audits concluded an inconsistent, unstructured approach to the management of the Legionella risk across facilities in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.

The presentation will step through the journey from initial baseline of the organisations regional Legionella risk management programme, review of local regulatory requirements to the development of a global standard with flexibility to adapt to local requirements. The standard’s scope covered the risk management process from designing out risk, commissioning, operation, validation, and verification.

To support the new standard, an education programme was rolled out for employees and vendors that support local operations.

The Legionella standard established a consistent, structured risk management programme which enabled global baselining and the visibility of regional compliance providing a model for developing other health, safety and environmental improvement programmes.
266 The shifting landscape of occupational health - personal protective equipment considerations
Authors: McCullough Nikki , Tredinnick Jessica , Winspear Tracey
Published: June 2024

Global trends are driving changes in the occupational health landscape. Climate change, social change, and workforce trends are changing the way and conditions in which we work, and even the definition of an occupational exposure.

Climate change is changing outdoor work – outdoor workers navigate extreme heat events and PM2.5 exposures due to inversions, wildfire smoke, and dust. Even indoor workers must travel to work – and so the lines blur between occupational exposure and personal exposure.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, entire populations of workers and their employers had to urgently, for the first time, navigate the tasks of hazard assessment, exposure assessment, and PPE selection. Lessons learned during the early days of the pandemic will be examined during this session – and, if acted upon, can help ensure greater resilience and continuity during future public health events.

Changes in workforces, including aging workforces and increasing diversity, are resulting in calls for PPE to fit an even wider range of workers, all while budgets for PPE are shrinking. Employers and manufacturers are challenged to provide training and instruction in more languages and more ways.

Responding to these changes is further complicated by often-shifting PPE recommendations due to evolving science, considerations of feasibility, and, at times, the politicization of these topics.

During this session, attendees will consider several current examples of PPE selection and use and how science, feasibility, and politics may impact recommendations for control methods including PPE selection and use.
283 The development of the Asbestos Removal Exposure Assessment Tool (AREAT), and its use for exposure assessment in a regulatory framework
Authors: Franken Remy , Schinkel Jody , Spaan Suzanne
Published: June 2024

Exposure to asbestos fibres is linked to numerous adverse health effects, and the use of asbestos is currently banned in many countries. Still, asbestos is present in numerous buildings and installations, which need to be removed in the (near) future.

Exposure measurements give good insight in exposure levels, but collecting measurements for all possible situations is costly and time-consuming, as working conditions and materials vary greatly. Therefore, the mechanistic model Asbestos Removal Exposure Assessment Tool (AREAT) was developed to estimate exposure to respirable asbestos fibres released during asbestos abatement processes. The model was developed using scientific literature, an in-house dataset containing measurements of asbestos abatements in the Netherlands, and knowledge with regard to previously developed (generic) exposure models. The model consists of several exposure determinants such as substance emission potential, activity emission potential, control measures and dilution in air, taking into account near- and far-field sources of exposure. Through an algorithm, AREAT calculates dimensionless scores based on model inputs, which are translated to estimated fibre concentrations by a mixed effect model which was applied on the dataset. The model has also been validated against additional data.

The AREAT model is integrated in an assessment tool called SMART-NS, in which users describe the asbestos removal scenario based on a series of questions with regards to the asbestos containing material, removal method and controls in place. Exposure levels are then estimated based on either validated safe working procedures, available exposure measurements or modelled exposure levels by means of the AREAT model. Based on the estimated exposure level a control regime is prescribed.
291 Applying Lessons Learnt from potent compound safe handling in pharmaceutical industry to toxic chemical agents in general industry
Authors: Sharma Ankit , Kondragunta Prasanth
Published: June 2024

Pharmaceutical industry presents unique challenges and opportunities with the need for safe handling of highly potent compounds, which not only requires use of some of the most complex controls and containment systems, but also requires stringent facility design measures to mitigate potential spread of contamination from contaminated areas to clean areas. While general industry handles highly toxic chemical agents with similar levels of low Occupational Exposure Limits (such as carcinogenic, mutagenic, reproductive toxins and sensitizers), similar level of containment/ controls and facility design elements, are often not utilized for mitigating employee exposures and spread of contamination. A few examples include machining of Beryllium containing alloys, handling of hexavalent chromium containing coating materials and weighing/ charging of sensitizers present as additives in bakeries and various other industries. The pharmaceutical industry has progressively adopted continually stringent measures to mitigate release of pharmaceutical ingredients in the environment through effective tools. A wide range of non-pharmaceutical industries can greatly benefit from learning about the challenges, solutions and the best practices adopted by pharmaceutical industries. The session intends to initiate the discussion with lessons learnt and case studies, and to raise a need for knowledge sharing between the industries, through set-up of working groups/committees and periodic meetings.
308 Containment/ Exposure Control for mainstream manufacturing - What can we learn from Pharma
Authors: Wilson Alex , Bhatt Pinky
Published: June 2024

The Pharmaceutical sector for many years have established a robust containment and exposure control regime for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to make sure employees are protected when carrying out work on processes where these APIs are present. There is guidance and processes that exist but it is very pharma centric and cannot always be applied directly to mainstream chemical manufacturing.

With constant regulatory pressures and updates in occupational exposure limits (OELs) for a number of substances we are now seeing the level of containment and or exposure control required in the pharma sector in mainstream manufacturing. This is a fundamental step forwards in terms of understanding what can and cannot be done as equipment, processes and traditional views are very different to that of the pharma sector. We stand on the edge of change and this workshop will ask the question, “what can we do about making sure appropriate containment and exposure control options are in place”?

These options need to be:

•Identified through adequate risk assessment processes

•Can exposure potential be calculated to a suitable level of confidence

•How can best practices form Pharma be translated into mainstream manufacturing regarding equipment and controls

•Proving compliance through suitable and accurate acceptance testing and sensible surrogate materials

The scene will be set after which, however there will be ample opportunity for the audience to engage, feedback and suggest how we can develop a mainstream containment/ exposure control guide for chemical manufacturing taking the best parts of what we already know but making it relevant for largescale production.
88b - Compensation of substance related occupational diseases in the Netherlands
Authors: Verbist Koen
Published: June 2024

Exposure to hazardous substances at work is estimated to cause more than 3000 deaths per year in the Netherlands. An even larger number of workers develop substance-related occupational diseases (SROD), with serious medical, social and financial consequences. Workers seeking financial compensation for developing an occupational disease are often faced with a long and difficult legal process. To improve this situation, the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment introduced a new regulation in 2023 aimed at compensating substance-related occupational diseases. This regulation offers (ex)workers and (ex)self-employed professionals who have a substance-related occupational disease a one-time financial compensation as a form of recognition. The regulation started with three diseases: lung cancer from asbestos exposure, allergic occupational asthma and chronic solvent-induced encephalopathy. The number of occupational diseases to be included on the list will be extended in the years to come. In this session the specific key elements of the regulation will be presented with in-depth explanations of the diagnostic criteria, the ways (cumulative) exposure is assessed and the determination of the plausibility of the causality between exposure and the disease. In 2023 almost 300 workers applied for a compensation. Each application was reviewed by an independent panel of three specialists: an occupational physician, an occupational hygienist and a medical specialist. The results of the first year of this new regulation will be presented, together with important lessons learned.
132b - Risk prevention and training approaches for safety and health in graphene production processes
Authors: Boccuni Fabio , Ferrante Riccardo , Tombolini Francesca
Published: June 2024

The growing development of nanomaterials (NMs) and advanced materials ask for a responsible approach to anticipate occupational health and safety (OSH) risks. After the introduction of the EC Directive 2019/1832 that rules the personal protective equipment use in the activities in which NMs exposure risk has been recognized, the need arises to support enterprises in the risk analysis process. Since knowledge gaps still remain about health effects and as long as occupational exposure limits will not be enforced by law, Prevention-through-Design (PtD) approach has been proposed to mitigate risks, taking into account OSH aspects starting from the design stages of NMs manufacturing processes. In the present study, different case studies of graphene based NMs production have been analysed. The PtD methodology has been applied by integration of the ISO/TS 12901-2:2014 Control Banding and the EN 17058 multi-metric and tiered strategy for exposure measurement. Mean and standard deviation background values of real-time particle number concentration (PNC) have been measured in order to calculate the significant levels (i.e. the PNC values beyond which NMs emission may be supposed). Evidences obtained by off-line electron microscopy techniques on airborne NMs sampled in the workplace allowed the proof that workers’ exposure can occur during graphene powders handling and cleaning/maintenance phases. Based on the data analysis, primary risk management measures are recommended for each production phase and specific training approaches have been identified addressed to the different OSH players, according to the PEROSH European guidance.
132c - Implications of the implementation of Safe and Sustainable by design on the occupational exposure assessment
Authors: Jiménez Araceli Sánchez , Makazaga Agurtzane Zugasti , Saavedra Ruth Jiménez
Published: June 2024

The European Commission (EC) introduced in 2023 a voluntary framework for the implementation of Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) in the chemical sector. The SSbD concept, is a key element of the EC Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, and recommends industry to integrate safety and sustainability considerations as early as possible into the innovation process. As part of this framework step 2 requires data on occupational exposure to estimate the risk characterization ratio. When measured data is not available modelled data can be used. The assessment of occupational exposure to nanomaterials (NMs) and Advanced Materials (AdMa) is hampered by the complex monitoring strategy that requires the use of multiple and expensive equipment as well as the lack of binding Occupational Exposure Levels in the EU. As a result very few companies do routine monitoring. The use of quantitative models is also limited because the testing and validation of models has only been done for a few tasks (mostly powder handling). The introduction of AdMa with hybrid composition brings new challenges as both the whole entity and their components have to be evaluated. To promote the use of the SSbD there is a need for a simplified affordable strategy that allows routine monitoring where a number of representative measurements can be taken for comparison with indicative OEL in a similar manner to conventional chemicals. This data can be used to populate databases and allow grouping of scenarios and reading across from data rich scenarios to new emerging processes as well as validate existing models for a wider range of tasks.
132d Smart sensors for a healthy and safe working environment
Authors: Kuijpers Eelco
Published: June 2024

Occupational diseases are a huge burden on society. Despite significant control efforts, yearly thousands of (former) workers die from occupational exposures and even more are injured or suffer from health effects. To further prevent occupational diseases, we need a way to monitor our working environment more continuously and in (near) real-time. Until now, the prevention of occupational diseases has largely involved the use of traditional measuring methods. Generally speaking, readings are taken only a few times a year and results become available long after the exposures occur. New technologies, like sensors and new types of models, offer new solutions. That is why we at TNO have launched a Virtual Occupational Hygiene Assistant, or VOHA for short. This digital support tool measures the quantity of certain chemical substances, the amount of noise, and other aspects. It automatically analyses the information and gives feedback to various relevant end-users. Our vision for the future is that monitoring will be continuous, with the help of sensors integrated on work clothing, helmets, and equipment. In this presentation I look back at 10 years of research on sensors at the workplace. How we started with evaluating the value of these low-cost sensors, how we collaborate scientifically to generate guidelines for the right use of these sensors and how we move to implementation research with the end-users playing a central role in the development of solutions.
148b - Added values of (low cost) sensors in occupational hygiene practice
Authors: le Feber Maaike
Published: June 2024

One of the challenges occupational hygienists face is to propose effective control measures that substantially reduce exposure to dangerous substances to acceptable levels for all employees, while being cost-effective at the same time.

Conventional exposure measurement methods provide average exposure levels over the measurement period. Only detailed observations performed by the occupational hygienist may identify the prominent sources or activities that cause these average exposure levels. Besides that, conventional measurements are expensive and therefore in general a relatively low number of measurements is taken, capturing a relatively large variation in exposure, and results are only available after a long time; all together hampering direct and adequate exposure reduction measures.

(Low cost) sensors hold a promise to provide more and more informative data to feed into more effective control strategies. Even though sensors are not as accurate as conventional measurements, their high time resolution provides very useful insights. Together with a groups of occupational hygienists, we explored added values of (low cost) sensors to the current approaches and what they need to benefit from these added values.
207d - Human biomonitoring in practice: Minimum information requirement for human biomonitoring studies in occupational settings
Authors: Jeddi Maryam Zare , Hopf Nancy , Galea Karen , Jones Kate , Santonen Tiina , Viegas Susana , Kumar Eva , Pasanen-Kase Robert , Duca Radu , Bader Michael
Published: June 2024

Occupational biomonitoring plays a pivotal role in the assessment and management of chemical workplace exposures. It provides a direct measure of workers’ internal dose of chemicals, integrating all sources and routes of exposure. Biomonitoring can bridge the gap between potential exposure scenarios and real-world implications for worker health. Nevertheless, the practical effectiveness of biomonitoring programs relies on the assurance of data quality, comparability, and practical application of the findings to improve occupational health standards.

The ISES Europe Human Biomonitoring working group was established in 2018 with the ambition to promote the generation of high-quality biomonitoring data and its use in occupational settings. Our group made notable progress, especially in establishing standardized Minimum Information Requirements (MIRs). MIRs are sets of guideline specifications that define the structure of minimum metadata attributes in terms of semantics, syntax, findability, and reusability of biomonitoring datasets. MIRs will help in standardising biomonitoring records. It is a complementary approach to the already established personalised medical biomonitoring of occupational medicine.

MIRs will not only improve the consistency and reliability of biomonitoring studies but also help foster a culture of safety and sustainability. By integrating advances in exposure science, including New Approach Methodologies and exposure modelling, into the biomonitoring framework, we can achieve a more robust understanding of occupational exposures. This will ultimately contribute to the refinement and application of Occupational Exposure Limits and Occupational Biomonitoring levels, the design of safer chemicals, and the implementation of effective risk management strategies, thereby safeguarding worker health.