| 1. |
- Jiang, Zheshun, et al.
(författare)
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Hexavalent chromium still a concern in Sweden : Evidence from a cross-sectional study within the SafeChrom project
- 2024
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Ingår i: International journal of hygiene and environmental health. - : Elsevier. - 1438-4639 .- 1618-131X. ; 256
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectivesHexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is classified as a human carcinogen. Occupational Cr(VI) exposure can occur during different work processes, but the current exposure to Cr(VI) at Swedish workplaces is unknown.MethodsThis cross-sectional study (SafeChrom) recruited non-smoking men and women from 14 companies with potential Cr(VI) exposure (n = 113) and controls from 6 companies without Cr(VI) exposure (n = 72). Inhalable Cr(VI) was measured by personal air sampling (outside of respiratory protection) in exposed workers. Total Cr was measured in urine (pre- and post-shift, density-adjusted) and red blood cells (RBC) (reflecting Cr(VI)) in exposed workers and controls. The Bayesian tool Expostats was used to assess risk and evaluate occupational exposure limit (OEL) compliance.ResultsThe exposed workers performed processing of metal products, steel production, welding, plating, and various chemical processes. The geometric mean concentration of inhalable Cr(VI) in exposed workers was 0.15 μg/m3 (95% confidence interval: 0.11–0.21). Eight of the 113 exposed workers (7%) exceeded the Swedish OEL of 5 μg/m3, and the Bayesian analysis estimated the share of OEL exceedances up to 19.6% for stainless steel welders. Median post-shift urinary (0.60 μg/L, 5th-95th percentile 0.10–3.20) and RBC concentrations (0.73 μg/L, 0.51–2.33) of Cr were significantly higher in the exposed group compared with the controls (urinary 0.10 μg/L, 0.06–0.56 and RBC 0.53 μg/L, 0.42–0.72). Inhalable Cr(VI) correlated with urinary Cr (rS = 0.64) and RBC-Cr (rS = 0.53). Workers within steel production showed the highest concentrations of inhalable, urinary and RBC Cr. Workers with inferred non-acceptable local exhaustion ventilation showed significantly higher inhalable Cr(VI), urinary and RBC Cr concentrations compared with those with inferred acceptable ventilation. Furthermore, workers with inferred correct use of respiratory protection were exposed to significantly higher concentrations of Cr(VI) in air and had higher levels of Cr in urine and RBC than those assessed with incorrect or no use. Based on the Swedish job-exposure-matrix, approximately 17 900 workers were estimated to be occupationally exposed to Cr(VI) today.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that some workers in Sweden are exposed to high levels of the non-threshold carcinogen Cr(VI). Employers and workers seem aware of Cr(VI) exposure, but more efficient exposure control strategies are required. National strategies aligned with the European strategies are needed in order to eliminate this cause of occupational cancer.
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| 2. |
- Jiang, Zheshun, et al.
(författare)
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P-205 THE SAFECHROM PROJECT - EVIDENCE FROM A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY SHOWS THAT HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM IS STILL A CONCERN IN SWEDEN
- 2024
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Ingår i: Occupational Medicine. - 0962-7480. ; 74:Suppl 1, s. 291-292
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) is a human carcinogen, but the current exposure to Cr(VI) at Swedish workplaces is unknown.Recruitment of 113 workers with potential Cr(VI) exposure and 72 controls was combined with measurements of inhalable Cr(VI) (only exposed workers) and total Cr in urine and red blood cells (RBC), Bayesian analysis of occupational exposure limit (OEL) compliance was used, as well as the Swedish job-exposure-matrix.Exposed workers performed processing of metal products, steel production, welding, and plating. The geometric mean concentration of inhalable Cr(VI) in exposed workers was 0.15 μg/m3. Eight workers (7\ exceeded the Swedish OEL (5 μg/m3), and the share of OEL exceedances was estimated to be up to 19.6\ and RBC-Cr were significantly higher in exposed workers compared with controls. Workers with inferred non-acceptable local exhaustion ventilation showed significantly higher inhalable Cr(VI), urine- and RBC-Cr than those with acceptable ventilation. Workers with inferred correct use of respiratory protection had higher inhalable Cr(VI), and, paradoxically, higher urine- and RBC-Cr concentrations than workers with incorrect use. We estimate that ~17 900 Swedish workers are occupationally exposed to Cr(VI) today.Our study showed that although most air measurements were relatively low, 7\ and particularly stainless steel workers are at risk for exceeding the OEL. The existing protective measures implemented at workplaces are still inadequate and insufficient.Some workers in Sweden are exposed to high levels of the non-threshold carcinogen Cr(VI). National strategies aligned with European strategies are needed to eliminate occupational cancer.
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| 3. |
- Molnár, Peter, 1967, et al.
(författare)
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Vedeldningens bidrag till luftföroreningar i Toltorpsdalen, Mölndal
- 2023
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Mätningar av fina partiklar, PM2.5, har genomförts i Toltorpsdalen, norra Mölndal under 10 veckor vintern 2022–2023. 22 ODIN-sensorer placerades ur i ett rutnät med avstånd 100–300 m. Ett referensmätningsinstrument, Palas FIDAS 200, placerades i en mätbod, centralt i området. Partikelmätarna hade en tidsupplösning på 1 minut. Även benso(a)pyren, (B(a)P) organiskt kol (OC) (tidsupplösning 2–3 dagar) och bensen (passiv provtagning) mättes. Halterna av PM2.5 var generellt låga pga. den milda och regniga vintern, medelvärde 4–7 µg/m3, men vi identifierade vedeldningens påverkan då den inte samvarierar med trafik eller andra källor. Störst bidrag från vedeldning under eftermiddag-kväll då halterna i snitt ökade 1–2 µg/m3. Även helgdagar gav ett ökat bidrag. Halterna av B(a)P var låga (0,01–0,11 ng/m3) och nådde som mest 10 % av miljökvalitetsnormen, även OC var lågt under perioden. Halterna av bensen var också låga, men något högre längs Toltorpsgatan, där trafiken är högst inom mätområdet. Mätningarna av PM2.5 och bensen visade att den lokala trafikens påverkan var låg, fr.a. pga. den milda fuktiga vintern som inte genererar vägdamm.Enkätdata visade att ca 50 % av bostäderna har en eldstad, de flesta för trivseleldning, och ca 80 % av eldningen sker eftermiddag-kväll, vilket setts i tidigare studier. Störningsenkäten visar på viss störning från vedeldning, men buller och avgaser från vägtrafik är en större störkälla. Dock var icke-eldarna något mer störda än de med egen eldning.
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| 4. |
- Runström Eden, Gunilla, et al.
(författare)
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Exploring Methods for Surveillance of Occupational Exposure from Additive Manufacturing in Four Different Industrial Facilities
- 2022
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Ingår i: Annals of Work Exposures and Health. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 2398-7308 .- 2398-7316. ; 66:2, s. 163-177
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- 3D printing, a type of additive manufacturing (AM), is a rapidly expanding field. Some adverse health effects have been associated with exposure to printing emissions, which makes occupational exposure studies important. There is a lack of exposure studies, particularly from printing methods other than material extrusion (ME). The presented study aimed to evaluate measurement methods for exposure assessment in AM environments and to measure exposure and emissions from four different printing methods [powder bed fusion (PBF), material extrusion (ME), material jetting (MJ), and vat photopolymerization] in industry. Structured exposure diaries and volatile organic compound (VOC) sensors were used over a 5-day working week. Personal and stationary VOC samples and real-time particle measurements were taken for 1 day per facility. Personal inhalable and respirable dust samples were taken during PBF and MJ AM. The use of structured exposure diaries in combination with measurement data revealed that comparatively little time is spent on actual printing and the main exposure comes from post-processing tasks. VOC and particle instruments that log for a longer period are a useful tool as they facilitate the identification of work tasks with high emissions, highlight the importance of ventilation and give a more gathered view of variations in exposure. No alarming levels of VOCs or dust were detected during print nor post-processing in these facilities as adequate preventive measures were installed. As there are a few studies reporting negative health effects, it is still important to keep the exposure as low as reasonable.
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| 5. |
- Runström Eden, Gunilla, et al.
(författare)
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Particle and VOC Emissions During the Thermal Processing of Plastics to make Filaments for 3D-Printing
- 2023
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Ingår i: Annals of Work Exposures and Health. - : Oxford University Press. - 2398-7308 .- 2398-7316. ; 67:Supplement_1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction 3D-printing is continuing to grow as an industry, which creates a demand for printing material. Studies on 3D-printing have shown that printers emit nanoparticles and VOC, depending on printing method, and some adverse health effects have been reported. Emissions during production of 3D-printer filament is less studied, and interesting as it can be likened to a larger material extrusion printer. Materials and methods Measurements were made at a factory producing 3D-printer filaments, using an array of instruments to characterise the emissions and exposure for the staff. Particle emissions were assessed using condensation particle counters (20nm-1um), DataRAM (0.1-10 um) and a particle sensor (0.35-40 um). VOC emissions and exposure were assessed using Tenax tubes and VOC sensors. Measurements were performed for 1-2 days, apart from sensors, which were placed at the facility for a full working week, including after a longer break . Results High concentrations of nanoparticles were found in the production rooms (25 000-100 000 pt/ml) and close to the extruder nozzle (100 000-500 000 pt/ml). Levels of nanoparticles were also high in office rooms near production(25 000-50 000 pt/ml). VOC sensors showed the same trend in all rooms, including offices and staff kitchen, indicating spread of emissions from the source and inadequate ventilation. The particle sensor also showed variation over the week in correlation with work performed. Conclusion Production of 3D-printer filaments emit nanoparticles and VOC. Inadequate ventilation can lead to high concentrations of nanoparticles. Sensors were a useful tool to show emission trends.
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