Title
Evaluation of peak exposures in the Dutch flour processing industry: Implications for intervention strategies
Author
Meijster, T.
Tielemans, E.
Schinkel, J.
Heederik, D.
TNO Kwaliteit van Leven
Publication year
2008
Abstract
Objectives: To effectively decrease occupational exposure to flour dust and related allergens, detailed information on exposure determinants and effectiveness of control measures is essential. In this paper, we use personal real-time exposure measurements to get more insight into the relationship between specific work characteristics, including the use of control measures, and (peak) exposure to flour dust. The study has three objectives: (i) identify tasks and activities related to peak exposure, (ii) identify control measures and other important exposure determinants and (iii) assess the potential impact of these control measures on the (peak) exposure to flour dust. Methods: A data set containing 82 real-time exposure measurements in combination with information from detailed observations was used to study the association between peak exposures and different tasks, activities and other determinants such as control measures. Descriptive statistics of peak exposure on job level were generated as well as information on contribution of task-specific peak exposures to time-weighted average (TWA) exposure levels. Finally, we evaluated the efficacy of a variety of control measures on task exposure by comparing exposure levels of groups of workers with and without controls. Results: In workers included in this study, >75% of TWA exposure is directly associated with peak exposures during a limited set of well-defined tasks/activities. The impact of a single task on population TWA exposure is generally limited (<40%). Worker behavior seems an important determinant in effective exposure control for many tasks. Conclusions: Data from real-time measurements provide important detailed information with respect to exposure determinants and control measures, not obtainable from conventional measurement studies focusing at TWA exposure. This information is essential to perform prospective impact assessments of intervention strategies on the populations' exposure distribution. © The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Occupational Hygiene Society.
Subject
Nutrition
Peak exposure
Real-time measurements
Time measurement
Control measures
Flour dust
Peak exposure
Real-time measurements
Population statistics
Allergen
Behavior
Calculation
Control system
Data analysis
Evaluation
Flour
Food industry
Inhalation
Measurement
Occupational hazard
Risk assessment
Risk factor
Risk management
Time weighted average
Worker
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dust
Environmental Monitoring
Flour
Food Industry
Humans
Inhalation Exposure
Occupational Exposure
Brood
Bakkerijen
Taakomschrijving
Functieomschrijving
Taakinhoud
Attitude
Gedrag
Stof
Bacterien
Microorganismen
Metingen
Meetmethoden
Arbeidshygienische maatregelen
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:758b6b3b-2d40-4c3e-8755-8af723f168e7
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/men049
TNO identifier
241039
ISSN
0003-4878
Source
Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 52 (7), 587-596
Document type
article