bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
118 Human Biomonitoring (HBM) for emergency responders – Preparedness for exposure assessment after chemical incidents
Authors: Jäger, Thomas 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a versatile tool for exposure analysis and assessment, not only under routine conditions but also in the case of short-term exposure or after accidental release of hazardous substances. Due to the generally short half-lives of hazardous substances in the body, the reaction time between exposure and sampling is crucial for the success of HBM analyses. Therefore, a standardized HBM program after emergency operations with possible product contact was developed and implemented at a large chemical production site. Emergency responders can provide urine or blood samples after operations with contact to hazardous substances and hand them in at the HBM laboratory, together with a questionnaire about the general conditions of the operations: hazardous substances, duration of emergency works, proximity to the source of exposure, personal protective equipment, and time of sampling. In altogether 21 deployments in 2023, 205 urine samples of 123 emergency responders were collected and 508 single analyses were carried out. In 2 cases, the internal action value for the acrylonitrile metabolite 2-cyanoethyl mercapturic acid (75 μg/g creatinine) was exceeded (maximum: 106 μg/g creatinine). The results show a generally high level of personal safety of the emergency responders. The standardized and easy-to-access HBM program addresses critical aspects of HBM for emergency responders after chemical incidents. It provides feedback on the efficiency of health and safety measures, it enables the continued optimization of procedures, and it constitutes a central element of preparedness for exposure analysis and assessment in case of larger incidents.
123 Respirable crystalline silica exposure in the building materials production: monitoring data over the last 20 years
Authors: Martinelli Andrea , Salamon Fabiola , Carrieri Mariella 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is a risk agent with known effects well correlated with exposure levels in the building sector. The aim of this work was to evaluate the trend in the last 20 years of RCS exposure levels in two companies operating in glass plate production and in cement production.

Methodology
The personal exposure data of 54 workers from a company producing glass plate and 76 workers from a company producing cement were analysed. The quantification of the SCR exposure levels was carried out by the respirable dust monitoring and the subsequent X-ray diffractometric analysis. The exposure levels were compared with the ACGIH, SCOEL and Italian occupational limit values.

Results
RCS exposure levels were in the range &lt;0.004-0.074 mg/m3. Only two personal exposure levels (0.054 mg/m3 and 0.074 mg/m3), found at the glass plate production company were higher than ACGIH TLV-TWA and the SCOEL exposure limit. A reduction of personal RCS exposure was observed across the years in the glass plate production company, instead in the cement production company the personal RCS levels were almost constant. The tasks characterized by the highest levels of exposure to RCS were the oven maintenance workers in the glass plate production company and the grindings raw materials workers in the cement production company (mean 0.015 mg/m3 and 0.009 mg/m3 respectively).

Conclusions
This study revealed how exposure levels in the companies studied remained constant or decreased over time. In light of the most recent data, we underline the importance of carrying out periodic monitoring investigations in order to protect the health of workers.
133 Elevating worker health: safeguarding against reprotoxic substances exposure
Authors: Tranfo Giovanna , Caporossi Lidia , Papaleo Bruno , Pera Alessandra 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
The environmental contributors to reproductive health begin in utero and include the social, physical and nutritional environment, and physical and chemical agents. In the past 70 years, there has been a dramatic increase in human exposure to both natural and synthetic chemicals.
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that may interfere with the hormonal system and thereby produce harmful effects in both humans and wildlife.
Under the European REACH regulation, endocrine disruptors are identified as substances of very high concern alongside chemicals known to cause cancer, mutations and toxicity to reproduction.
Similarly to carcinogens or mutagens, reprotoxic substances may have serious and irreversible effects also on workers’ health. Therefore, occupational exposure to reprotoxic substances should also be regulated under the same directive on the protection of workers from carcinogens or mutagens at work (Directive 2004/37/EC).
Occupational exposure limit values have been set for 12 widely used substances in the new directive 2022/431/EC, and therefore validated exposure assessment methods should be made available.
The health surveillance is requested for workers exposed to these substances, that is the assessment of the health status of an individual worker based on exposure to specific substances during work. Therefore, cooperation with obstetrician, gynaecologist and other reproductive health professionals is needed, for the assessment of male and female fertility status.
On the other side clinicians should always ask women of childbearing age about occupational exposures as legal exposure limits for most workplace chemicals are not designed to protect against harm to a pregnancy or the developing fetus.
139 Characteristic evaluation of bacteria in air and oral samples in surgical and medical intensive care units
Authors: Chen Pei-Yu , Yeh Yi-Chiao , Chang Yu-Nung , Kung Pan-Chin , Lai Chane-Yu 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
The characteristics of bacteria taxonomy, biodiversity, and human-associated bacteria (HAB) in patients’ mouths and indoor air were evaluated and compared in surgical and medical intensive care units (ICUs). A six-stage viable Andersen cascade impactor was used to collect bioaerosols and to determine their size distributions. The sterilized cotton swabs were used to collect oral samples from four randomly selected patient’s mouths. A BD Phoenix-100 automated interpretation system was used to identify the sampled bacteria species.
The results was showed Tatumella ptyseos, Staphylococcus scouri, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Moellerella wisconsensis, and Enterococcus faecalis were isolated from oral samples. Mannheimia spp. (28.5%), Staphylococcus spp. (19%), and Burkholderia spp. were the dominated bacteria which were isolated from the air samples. The proportion of HAB concentration in the oral sample was 6.3%, while the HAB concentration in the air was 19%. The low HAB rate indicated most of the cultured bacteria (non HAB) were possibly from the outside environment during work shifting or guest-visiting. Fifteen species of bacteria were collected in the air, and 2 species of them matched the bacteria collected from oral samples. The source of bacteria cultured from the patient’s mouth might be related to the distribution of bacteria in the air. However, the airborne bacteria might also come from the patient’s cough droplets. The phenomenon deserves further research in the future.
It is recommended that the patient’s mouth should be cleaned regularly with sterilized cotton swabs or covered with sterilized gauze to reduce infection.
145 Sampling Evaluation of Bacteria antibiotic-resistance from air and oral samples in surgical and medical intensive care units
Authors: Kung Pan-Chin , Yeh Yi-Chiao , Chen Pei-Yu , Chang Yo-Nong , Lai Chane-Yu 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
The antibiotic-resistance of bioaerosols and bacteria from patients’ mouth were evaluated in surgical and medical intensive care units (ICUs). A six-stage viable Andersen cascade impactor was used to collect bioaerosols. The sterilized cotton swabs were used to collect oral samples from four randomly selected patient’s mouths. Antibiotic susceptibility tests (AST) were performed using a BD Phoenix-100 automated interpretation system. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of the antimicrobial agents for these bacteria isolates were determined using the BD Phoenix-100 instrument.
A total of 199 bacterial isolates were tested for the AST, of which 92.8% were Gram-positive bacteria. The dominated bacteria was Staphylococcus spp. (71.3%), and the others were Micrococcus spp. (15%), Burkholderia spp. (3 %) and Bacillus spp. (2%). According to the AST, 75.9% of sampled airborne bacteria in medical and surgical ICUs were recognized as antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The results of oral samples showed that a total of 3 over 6 bacteria species revealed multidrug resistant to antibiotics. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found to resist 9 type of antibiotics, such as AM, SAM (Penicillin), CZ, CTX, CRO (cephalosporins), ET (carbapenem), MINO (Tetracycline TCs), TGCs (glycylcycline), and TMP-SMX (co-trimoxazole). Burkholderia cepacia and Ralstonia pickettii were found to resist 5 antibiotics: AM, SAM (Penicillin), CZ (cephalosporins), CL (Polypeptide), and ETPs (carbapenems).
The presence of antibiotic resistance in ICUs poses a potential risk to the health of medical staff and patients. Therefore, it is recommended that the ventilation design of ICUs should be evaluated to ensure the effectiveness of nosocomial control.
147 Association between mixed exposures to cleaning chemicals and asthma outcomes
Authors: Virji Mohammed Abbas , Groth Caroline , Liang Xiaoming , Henneberger Paul 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Cleaning products are complex mixtures of chemicals and their use in healthcare is associated with elevated prevalence/odds of asthma outcomes in models with single exposure variables. To better represent workplace mixed exposures, we explored the use of Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) combined with prior toxicological knowledge on asthmagenic potential to understand the combined effect of correlated mixtures.

Methods
Healthcare workers from nine occupations completed a questionnaire with modules on cleaning and disinfecting tasks and product use. Quantitative exposure to total and eight specific volatile organic compounds were assessed at five different hospitals and were assigned to participants based on predictive statistical models and responses on questionnaires. Exposures were classified as asthmagens or non-classified based on toxicological evidence. A five-level asthma outcome variable was created by hierarchical clustering of 27 respiratory symptom/care variables. Exposure-response relationships for asthma clusters were explored using BKMR for mixed exposures. All models were adjusted for age, sex, education, smoking and allergic status.

Results
Group probability of inclusion was always higher for asthmagens compared to non-classified for all asthma clusters. Within asthmagens, acetone and chloroform had the higher probabilities of inclusion for several asthma clusters. Higher levels of acetone had the highest risk for all health clusters when evaluating the effect of mixed asthmagens. Among non-classified, BTEX chemicals and methyl-methacrylate had the higher probabilities of inclusion for several asthma clusters.

Conclusions
Multipollutant models combined with toxicological knowledge is a more realistic approach to model workplace mixed exposures although the effect of correlated variables cannot be entirely eliminated.
164 The aerosol emission characteristics and control strategies of flushing toilets
Authors: Hsu Shun Hao , Huang Sheng Hsiu , Lin Chih Wei , Chen Chih Chieh 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
A poorly designed toilet can be a flaw in epidemic prevention. Previous studies have confirmed that humans are easily infected by related bioaerosols generated from toilets, and these droplet particles also have been proven to have the ability to carry out bacteria or viruses. In other words, whether in public places or homes or even in health care agencies and isolation wards, it has been a long-neglected source of airborne pathogen production.
Three types of toilets were measured for aerosol emission characteristics, including the siphon toilet, washdown toilet, and siphon jet toilet. Two different commercial toilet cleaning products were added to the water tank to compare the effects on particle emissions under different surface tension. Then, the impact of different flushing conditions and the effectiveness of commercial toilet lids in preventing the escape of particles were compared.
Under the standard flush situation (6 L) the total count of particles was 5.5x105 #, the CMD was 0.2 μm and the GSD was about 1.8. Flush volume is positively correlated with the total particle count. However, other factors must also be considered between different types of toilets. The toilet cleaning products, while helping to clean the toilet surface, may lead to generate more particles. Then, the toilet lids can effectively reduce particle escape, but there is still a need for improvement in preventing particle escape.
Based on the existing data, these results will provide the basic techniques to reduce droplet particle generation. And it can be concluded that there is still a need for improvement in current toilets, particularly in epidemic prevention.
168 The impact of mask use and wearing methods on protection effectiveness
Authors: Lee Shu-An , Chang Feng-Ching 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Introduction
During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical masks are recommended for the public and healthcare workers by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control. To increase the use time and protection effectiveness of masks, many methods of using and wearing masks have been developed.

Methodology
A mannequin with artificial leakage was used to investigate the effects of washing frequency, the number of masks donned, the use of cloth masks, and the use of mask covers on the protection efficiency of medical masks.

Results
The results show that the filtration efficiency, protection factor, and pressure drop of masks decrease with increasing the number of washes. The filtration efficiency and pressure drop of masks increase with increasing the number of masks donned, but the protection factor is influenced by the number of masks donned and inhalation flow. Especially at low and moderate inhalation flows (16 and 32L/min), the protection factor decreases with increasing the number of masks donned. The filtration efficiency and pressure drop of medical masks with cloth masks are higher than when using medical masks alone, but the protection factor is influenced by the wearing conditions of cloth masks and the inhalation flow. Particularly at low and moderate inhalation flows, the protection factor of medical masks with cloth masks is smaller than when using medical masks alone.

Conclusions
This study concludes that increasing the number of mask washes, the number of masks donned, and using cloth masks do not increase the protection efficiency of medical masks. Precaution is needed when using these methods.
172 Experimental study on optimum CADR filter thickness of air purifiers
Authors: Tsai Pei Yao , Huang Sheng Hsiu , Chen Chih Chieh , Lin Chih Wei 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
People spend most of their time indoors. Additionally, concentrations of certain pollutants are sometimes higher indoors than outdoors. Therefore, there is a need to ensure good indoor air quality, and air purifiers can provide valuable assistance.
We constructed a system to compare the filtration efficiency of different air purifier filter media brands when stacked in multiple layers. In addition, the filtration efficiency was obtained by using a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer to measure the aerosol number concentrations and size distributions upstream and downstream of the air purifier, and the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) was calculated by multiplying the filtration efficiency and the flow rate.
In particular, we show that the tested filter media thickness significantly affects the CADR. When the thickness of the filter material reaches a specific value, the filtration efficiency benefit brought by the increase of the filter material thickness is not enough to make up for the loss caused by the reduction of the air volume, and the CADR value begins to decrease as the thickness of the filter material increases. We find that the ideal filter thickness at 2.7 watts is approximately 12 mm for the blower and filter materials examined in this study. When using the MPPS as an indicator, the capture efficiency of the optimally thick filter material ranges from 7% to 35%.
In the follow-up, we further explore the influence of the combination of filter materials and blowers with different characteristics and the particulate matter load on designing the optimal CADR value.
201 Occupational exposure of workers manufacturing chrysotile asbestos cement products: a case study in Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Kurzhunbaeva Zhyldyz , Spinazzè Andrea , Campagnolo Davide , Rovelli Sabrina , Fanti Giacomo , Kasymov Omor , Colosio Claudio , Cavallo Domenico Maria 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Introduction
An increasing number of countries are banning the production and use of asbestos because of the 1986 Basel Convention and its reconsideration in 2022. Nevertheless, some countries, including central Asian ones (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan), are still miners and consumers of asbestos. The main objective of the study is to assess the occupational exposure to asbestos of workers engaged in the production facility of asbestos-cement products in Kyrgyzstan.

Methodology
Samples were collected through personal sampling, by drawing a measured volume of air through a membrane filter, which was subsequently examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Individual fibres in a randomly selected area of the filter were then counted at a magnification of 2000× following ISO 14966:2019 criteria. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) was used to classify the fibres according to their chemical composition. Monitored workers (n = 18) were divided into three “Similar Exposure Groups” (SEGs; SEG-1: asbestos loading; SEG-2; asbestos-cement mixing; SEG-3: cutting of asbestos-cement sheets) according to EN 689 standard.

Results
Investigated workers resulted to be exposed to chrysotile fibres. Preliminary results (to be validated) outlined extremely high exposures for SEG-1 (average values &gt; 2000 ff/L) and SEG-3 (average values &gt; 4000 ff/L) and lower - but still relevant – exposure values for SEG-2 (average values &gt; 500 ff/L).

Conclusions
The results obtained in this case study help document potentially critical situations of occupational exposure to asbestos that can still occur nowadays in low and middle-income countries where asbestos is still mined and processed.
204 Embracing tech for tomorrow workplace
Authors: Haszelina Hassan , Zulkarnaen Long Zainudin Long 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
In the era of digitalization and rapid evolution of technologies, the adoption of technologies must be at par with the latest trend to business to remain competitive without jeopardizing HSE areas. The selection of technology are based on the criteria for real online data, remote monitoring, reliability, safety enhancement and integration capability to support plant operations and potentially increase work productivity, quality and efficiency. Among current technology that the team is focusing on is deploying drone for confined space inspection, which can potentially eliminate confined space hazard such as asphyxiations and ergonomics hazards. Apart from that, we are also exploring utilisation of Radiography Test (RT) crawler to detect internal condition of insulation and minimize the risk of Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI). Lastly, Inspection fraternity is also focusing on non-destructive examination technology of performing Ultrasonic Test (UT) to measure material wall thickness for static equipment and piping. All these current technologies that we are focusing on relate with HSE aspect of Industrial Hygiene in term of identifying, evaluating and controlling potential workplace hazard from confined space hazard, ergonomics and radiation hazard. One of the technologies that is currently under field testing and utilized at site is online and remote gas monitoring inside the confined space. The benefit of this technology will not only change the future world of work but potentially impact the regulatory landscape in protecting worker’s health.
236 Occupational exposure to microorganisms and endotoxin during treatment of offshore drilling waste
Authors: Daae Hanne Line , Madsen Anne Mette , Graff Pål 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Introduction
The aim of this study was to describe the occupational exposure to microorganisms and endotoxin, for workers employed in the recycling of offshore drilling waste. A pilot study on two treatment plants, showed presence of human bacterial- and fungal pathogens in the drilling waste and showed a need for this larger study.

Methodology
The study included 7 different plants across Norway, thus encompassing most of the industry. 435 personal full-shift analyses, 26 bulk samples and 123 stationary short-time samples of microorganisms were collected. Viable bacterial and fungal species were identified with MALDI-TOF, and bacterial and fungal DNA with ddPCR. The biofilm formation potential was also measured using an Epoch microplate spectrophotometer.

Results
Even though mean exposure was low, some workers were exposed to high levels of endotoxin (207 EU/m3), bacteria (3.8x104 CFU/m3 and 9.8x104 DNA copies/m3) or fungi (1.4x107 CFU/m3 and 3600 DNA copies/m3).
The drilling waste contained a high number of bacteria (102 to 1010 CFU of bacteria/mL) and pathogens in risk class 2 were found in all plants. The biofilm formation potential varied between the different plants.

Conclusions
Despite moderate exposure levels, certain work tasks, job titles, areas, and techniques, were associated with elevated levels of microorganisms and endotoxin.
Human pathogens were present in the drilling waste, the workers can be exposed via the air and potentially via splashes.
251 Insights of Portugal’s teaching staff microbial occupational exposure
Authors: Pena Pedro , Cervantes Renata , Gomes Bianca , Dias Marta , Viegas Carla 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
In the educational sector, EU strategies rely on risk factor awareness, to promote a safe and healthy environment for all the community. However, the promotion of health and safety is facing challenges among teaching staff due to the lack of adjusted policies. With the enrolment of the teaching community, these policies should address the assessment of many aspects, namely biohazards. Although it has already been proven that high levels of children’s microbial exposure are associated with chronic respiratory disease, immunosuppression, mutagenicity, or even death, teachers’ exposure remains unexplored. In schools, teachers may be exposed to bioaerosols (atmospheric particles composed of aggregated microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi) through inhalation and dermal contact, posing a risk to their health. Besides neglecting schools as a specific indoor environment, current guidelines and research mainly focus on children’s health, overlooking the occupational health of teaching staff. Nevertheless, a risk assessment is essential to ensure effective preventive measures and risk management actions. The aim of this study is to conduct a microbial assessment regarding teaching staff personal exposure to bacterial and fungal load. Active sampling methods were applied by collecting air through personal samples (Button Samplers) worn by teachers for 2h at a flow rate of 4L/min, and through a MAS-100 device collecting 400L at a flow rate of 200 L/min. With this approach, the invaluable obtained results aim to contribute to guidance for research and public health actions on behalf of occupational health and safety of teaching staff.