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Occupational exposure to nanoparticles originating from welding – case studies from the Czech Republic

100%

Berger F., Bernatíková Š., Kocůrková L., Přichystalová R., Schreiberová L.

Medycyna Pracy

2021

vol. 72

issue 3

219-230

BackgroundNanomaterials are virtually ubiquitous as they are created by both natural processes and human activities. The amount of occupational exposure to unintentionally released nanoparticles can, therefore, be substantial. The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of incidental nanoparticles that workers can be exposed to during welding operations and to assess related health risks. The specific focus on welding operations was determined based on the fact that other case studies on the manufacturing industry confirm significant exposure to incidental nanoparticles during welding. In the Czech Republic, 92% of all industrial workers are employed in the manufacturing industry, where welding operations are amply represented.Material and MethodsThe particle number concentrations of particles in the size range of 20–1000 nm and particle mass concentrations of inhalable and PM1 fractions were determined via measurements carried out at 15-minute intervals for each welding operation by static sampling in close proximity to the worker. Measurements were obtained using the following instruments: NanoScan SMPS 3910, Optical Particle Sizer OPS 3330, P-TRAK 8525 and DustTrak DRX 8534. The assessed operations were manual arc welding and automatic welding.ResultsThe observed average particle number concentrations for electric arc welders ranged 84×103–176×103 #/cm3, for welding machine operators 96×103–147×103 #/cm3, and for a welding locksmith the obtained average concentration was 179×103 #/cm3. The determined average mass concentration of PM1 particles ranged 0.45–1.4 mg/m3.ConclusionsBased on the conducted measurements, it was confirmed that there is a significant number of incidental nanoparticles released during welding operations in the manufacturing industry as a part of production and processing of metal products. The recommended occupational exposure limits for nanoparticle number concentrations were exceeded approximately 4–8 times for all assessed welding operations. The use of local exhaust ventilation in conjunction with personal protective equipment, including FFP2 or FFP3 particle filters, for welding is, therefore, recommended. Med Pr. 2021;72(3):219–30

Verification of electronic device technology for measurement and evaluation of thermal exposure of fire fighters and members of rescue teams

72%

Bernatíková Š., Tomášková H., Bužga M., Jirák Z., Novák P., Babjak J., Kot T., Krys V., Jánošík L.

Medycyna Pracy

2018

vol. 69

issue 1

1-11

Background The work of members of rescue teams could be associated with very high physical and thermal loads. If not timely interrupted, any extreme labour-thermal load may lead to a failure of the body and fatal collapse. This risk may be significantly reduced by devices that monitor the response of the body during the intervention and inform rescuers about the need to interrupt the exposure when the critical value of the reference indicator is achieved. The aim of the study was to test the correlation between the data of the newly developed device for signaling the strain of rescuers and the indicators of physiological response of the body. Material and Methods The tests were performed on 2 physically fit fire fighters dressed in a protective rescue suit and using insulating breathing apparatus, over a wide range of heat load under a model load on a bicycle ergometer in a climatic chamber. Results The study provided a significant correlation between the body temperature measured in the ear canal and the temperature under the suit sensed by the tested device – the Safety Ambient Monitor (SAM) (R = 0.9007). The temperature under the suit also correlated with the temperature of the chest skin (R = 0.8928) and heart rate (R = 0.8613). Conclusions A statistically significant correlation was proven between the temperature sensed by the SAM and the body temperature. The technical solution of sensing the temperature under the suit using the verified SAM technology does not affect or limit fire fighters in their work and minimizes the possibility of damage to the sensor and signaling failures. Med Pr 2018;69(1):1–11

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2 Medycyna Pracy

2 Bernatíková Š.

1 Babjak J.

1 Berger F.

1 Bužga M.

1 Jirák Z.

1 Jánošík L.

1 Kocůrková L.

1 Kot T.

1 Krys V.

1 Novák P.

1 Přichystalová R.

1 Schreiberová L.

1 Tomášková H.

1 2021

1 2017

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Occupational exposure to nanoparticles originating from welding – case studies from the Czech Republic

Verification of electronic device technology for measurement and evaluation of thermal exposure of fire fighters and members of rescue teams