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- Svedberg, Urban, 1957-
(författare)
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Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy in Industrial Hygiene Applications : Assessment of Emissions from and Exposures in Wood Processing Industries
- 2004
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis evaluates the use of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) as an approach to the increasingly difficult air sampling challenges within the field of occupational and environmental hygiene. The application of FTIR is exemplified by the assessment of emissions from and exposures in the sawmill and pellet industries. Open path FTIR was applied in the sawsheds and the terpene levels were monitored for several days. Traditional adsorbent sampling was used to evaluate the FTIR measurements. The volatile emissions from wood pellets were investigated in warehouses and in domestic storage rooms. The installation of open path FTIR in the harsh sawmill environment proved useful, however, attention must be paid to vibrations, beam blockage and limited sensitivity. Adsorbent sampling showed good agreement with open path FTIR. The uncontrolled airflows in sawsheds caused significant underestimation of emission rates. By the use of FTIR and a tracer gas a more accurate estimate was obtained. The total emission from processing of Scots pine was estimated to 660 g/m3 of roundwood under bark, and can amount to 700 tons annually from a large sawmill.Hexanal (111±32 mg/m3) and CO (56±4mg/m3) were recorded in pellet warehouses. Storage of wood pellets constitutes a potential occupational and domestic health hazard. Experiments from kiln drying of lumber show that the emissions of hexanal and carbon monoxide are not limited to wood pellets but are caused by general degradation processes of wood, facilitated by drying at elevated temperature. This is the first published report where low-temperature emission of carbon monoxide from wood materials is described. The FTIR method is a significant advancement in measurement technology. The retrieved data offers unparalleled information. It offers robust, convenient and efficient monitoring of gases over extended periods. FTIR spectroscopy should be considered a standard technique within the field of occupational and environmental hygiene.
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| 2. |
- Westerlund, Jessica, 1983-
(författare)
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Occupational exposure to trichloramine and trihalomethanes : adverse respiratory and ocular effects among Swedish indoor swimming pool workers
- 2016
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Occupational exposure in swimming pool facilities related to disinfection by-products (DBPs) has been an issue for the last 15 years. Trichloramine (NCl3) and trihalomethanes (THMs) are DBPs formed in swimming pool water following a reaction between organic matter containing nitrogen or organic or inorganic matter, and chlorine. Due to its volatility, trichloramine can easily evaporate into the air and cause nausea and irritation of the eyes and upper airways. Symptoms are likely to be particularly pronounced in those suffering from asthma. Chloroform is the dominant THM in swimming pool atmospheres and is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as being possibly carcinogenic to humans. There are no adverse health effects reported among swimming pool employees due to occupational exposure levels of THMs found in the air at swimming pools.There is no OEL for trichloramine adapted in Sweden, but some reference values and recommendations based on stationary measurements at the pool side are available. In 2006, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended a reference value for trichloramine of 500 μg/m3. The Swedish OEL for chloroform is 10 000 μg/m3.This thesis describes research into the occupational exposure to airborne trichloramine and THMs in eight Swedish indoor swimming pool facilities and the investigation into the prevalence of adverse health effects, manifesting primarily as ocular and respiratory symptoms.Concentrations of trichloramine and chloroform in Swedish indoor swimming pool facilities were found to be in the same range or lower compared to previous studies in other countries. The trichloramine concentrations varied between <1 and 240 μg/m3 for the personal sampling and between <1 and 640 μg/m3 for the stationary sampling. Personal trichloramine levels in the high-exposure group were more than 60% higher compared to the corresponding stationary measurements. The exposed group had a higher frequency of self-reported ocular and nasal symptoms compared to the controls. A significant difference in the concentration of exhaled FENO over a work shift with an increase in the exposed group, indicated acute airway inflammation due to respiratory irritant agent exposure. Although a dose-response effect could not be established, the results indicate an elevated risk of occupational health problems in indoor swimming pools and calls for an OEL to be established, based on personal sampling.
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