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- Pettersson, Hans, 1980-, et al.
(author)
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Introducing a new design of digital tool to increase vibration risk assessments : challenges with education-based interventions
- 2022
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In: International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1080-3548 .- 2376-9130. ; 28:3, s. 1705-1710
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: This study aimed to investigate whether introducing a digital risk assessment tool, the Swedish National Vibration Database, would increase the number of risk assessments on hand–arm and whole-body vibration. Employer and safety representatives from companies where vibration exposure is common were invited.Methods: Of the 2953 invited companies, 1916 were selected for educational intervention and the remaining 1037 companies served as a control group with no intervention. For the educational intervention, participating companies were further divided into two groups (group A, n = 26; group B, n = 47) that both received information regarding risk assessment, but group B was also informed about the digital tool. Both groups answered a questionnaire on risk assessment before the intervention and at the follow-up, 6 months later; the control group received the same questionnaire but no education (group C, n = 22).Results: Of the invited companies, only 2% chose to participate and 7% at follow-up. Seventy-eight percent of the participants had made some kind of risk assessment of vibration at follow-up.Conclusion: Due to the low participation rate among invited companies, this study is not able to draw any conclusions on whether the digital tool can be used to increase the number of risk assessments.
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| 2. |
- Ragnebro, Oskar, et al.
(author)
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Chloroform exposure in air and water in Swedish indoor swimming pools : urine as a biomarker of occupational exposure
- 2023
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In: Annals of Work Exposures and Health. - : Oxford University Press. - 2398-7308 .- 2398-7316. ; 67:7, s. 876-885
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Disinfection by-products are produced in water disinfected with chlorine-based products. One such group is trihalomethanes, and chloroform is the most abundant trihalomethane in swimming pool areas. Chloroform can be absorbed by inhalation, ingestion, and dermal absorption, and is classified as possibly carcinogenic.AIM: To investigate if chloroform concentrations in air and water affect the chloroform concentration in urine samples of exposed swimming pool workers. METHODS: Workers from 5 adventure indoor swimming pools carried personal chloroform air samplers and provided up to 4 urine samples during one workday. Chloroform concentrations were analyzed with a linear mixed model analysis to investigate a possible correlation between air and urine concentrations.RESULTS: The geometric mean chloroform concentration was 11 μg/m3 in air and 0.009 µg/g creatinine in urine among individuals with ≤2 h at work, 0.023 µg/g creatinine among those with >2-5 working hours, and 0.026 µg/g creatinine in the group with >5-10 working hours. A risk of higher levels of chloroform in urine was associated with longer hours at work (≤2 h versus >5-10 h, odds ratio [OR] 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25-3.34), personal chloroform concentrations in air (≤17.00 µg/m3 versus >28.00 µg/m3, OR 9.23, 95% CI 3.68-23.13) and working at least half the working day near the swimming pools (OR 3.16, 95% CI 1.33-7.55). Executing work tasks in the swimming pool water was not associated with higher chloroform concentrations in urine compared to only working on land (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.27-2.45).CONCLUSION: There is an accumulation of chloroform concentrations in urine during a workday and a correlation between personal air and urine concentrations of chloroform among workers in Swedish indoor swimming pools.
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| 3. |
- Westerlund, Jessica, 1983-
(author)
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Exposure to trichloramine, trihalomethanes and endotoxins : adverse respiratory and ocular effects among Swedish indoor swimming pool workers
- 2022
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Indoor swimming pool facilities often use chlorine for pool water disinfection. Chlorine can also contribute to the formation of unwanted disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Trichloramine and trihalomethanes (THMs) are DBPs formed in swimming pool water and swimming pool air causing occupational exposure. Trichloramine can cause ocular and airway irritation, while some THMs are potentially carcinogenic. Bacterial endotoxins may also cause adverse respiratory effects among swimming pool workers. The overall aim of the study was to measure levels of trichloramine, THMs and endotoxins in the air at conventional, habilitation and rehabilitation, and adventure swimming pool facilities, and to investigate adverse ocular and respiratory effects among indoor swimming pool workers.Trichloramine and THM levels in air were comparable to previous studies. Endotoxin levels in air were low compared to the reference value. Trichloramine concentrations in personal samples were approximately half as high as those measured in stationary samples - an important consideration for a future Swedish occupational exposure limit. The adventure facilities had the highest trichloramine levels while the conventional facilities had the highest THM levels. The adventure workers also reported more ocular and respiratory symptoms compared to referents (office workers) and had a lower FEV1/FVC ratio indicating airway obstruction. Workers both in conventional, and in habilitation and rehabilitation facilities exhibited a difference in FeNO levels compared to referents, implying airway inflammation.The occupational exposure and adverse health effects found in indoor swimming pool environments emphasizes the importance of a personal based Swedish occupational exposure limit for trichloramine in air.
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| 4. |
- Westerlund, Jessica, 1983-, et al.
(author)
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Occupational Exposure to Trichloramine and Endotoxins : Adverse Health Effects Among Personnel in Adventure and Rehabilitation Swimming Pool Facilities
- 2022
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In: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 1076-2752 .- 1536-5948. ; 64:5, s. 361-369
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To study occupational exposure to trichloramine and endotoxins in air at adventure and rehabilitation swimming pool facilities from an adverse health effects perspective.METHODS: Air concentrations of trichloramine and endotoxins were measured in five adventure and 10 rehabilitation facilities. Respiratory and ocular symptoms were self-reported, and spirometry and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) were measured.RESULTS: Compared to rehabilitation facilities, the mean trichloramine concentrations in the adventure facilities were higher, both personal (80 μg/m3 (n = 41) vs 19 μg/m3 (n = 21)) and stationary (183 μg/m3 (n = 51) vs 23 μg/m3 (n = 32)), with higher frequency of ocular and respiratory symptoms. Low stationary endotoxin levels (<0.64 to 25 EU/m3) were found, compared to the reference value (90 EU/m3).CONCLUSIONS: Higher trichloramine concentrations in air and more ocular and respiratory symptoms in adventure facilities call for adequate occupational exposure limits.
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| 7. |
- Löfstedt, Håkan, 1963-, et al.
(author)
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Respiratory and Ocular Symptoms Among Employees at Swedish Indoor Swimming Pools
- 2016
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In: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 1076-2752 .- 1536-5948. ; 58:12, s. 1190-1195
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: This study investigated trichloramine exposure and prevalence of respiratory and ocular symptoms among Swedish indoor swimming pool workers.Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to pool workers and referents. Lung function and fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were measured before and after work. Exposure to trichloramine and trihalomethanes was measured over work shifts.Results: The mean personal trichloramine exposure was 36g/m(3). Significantly more exposed workers reported ocular and nasal symptoms. There were significant differences between groups in FeNO change following work, with exposed showing increased FeNO, which grew when analyses included only nonsmokers.Conclusions: The findings indicate that indoor swimming pool environments may have irritating effects on mucous membranes. FeNO data also indicate an inflammatory effect on central airways, but the clinical relevance is unclear. Low trichloramine levels found in this study were not associated with health effects.
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
- Westerlund, Jessica, 1983-
(author)
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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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Licentiate thesis (other academic/artistic)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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| 13. |
- Westerlund, Jessica, 1983-, et al.
(author)
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Occupational exposure to trichloramine and trihalomethanes : adverse health effects among personnel in habilitation and rehabilitation swimming pools
- 2019
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In: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1545-9624 .- 1545-9632. ; 16:1, s. 78-88
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Personnel in swimming pool facilities typically experience ocular, nasal, and respiratory symptoms due to water chlorination and consequent exposure to disinfection by-products in the air. The aim of the study was to investigate exposure to trichloramine and trihalomethanes (chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform) from the perspective of adverse health effects on the personnel at Swedish habilitation and rehabilitation swimming pools. The study included ten habilitation and rehabilitation swimming pool facilities in nine Swedish cities. The study population comprised 24 exposed swimming pool workers and 50 unexposed office workers. Personal and stationary measurements of trichloramine and trihalomethanes in air were performed at all the facilities. Questionnaires were distributed to exposed workers and referents. Spirometry, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured. Personal and stationary measurements yielded trichloramine levels of 1-76 µg/m3 (average: 19 µg/m3) and 1-140 µg/m3 (average: 23 µg/m3), respectively. A slightly higher, but not significant, prevalence of reported eye- and throat-related symptoms occurred among the exposed workers than among the referents. A significantly increased risk of at least one ocular symptom was attributed to trichloramine exposure above the median (20 µg/m3). Lung function (FVC and FEV1) was in the normal range according to the Swedish reference materials, and no significant change in lung function before and after shift could be established between the groups. Average FENO values were in the normal range in both groups, but the difference in the values between the exposed workers and referents showed a significant increase after shift. Hourly registered PEF values during the day of the investigation did not show any unusual individual variability. In conclusion, the increased risk of developing at least one ocular symptom at personal trichloramine concentrations over 20 µg/m3 combined with an increase in the difference in FENO during the work shift of the exposed workers should not be neglected as an increased risk of respiratory inflammation in the habilitation and rehabilitation swimming pool environment.
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| 14. |
- Westerlund, Jessica, 1983-, et al.
(author)
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Occupational Exposure to Trichloramine and Trihalomethanes in Swedish Indoor Swimming Pools : Evaluation of Personal and Stationary Monitoring
- 2015
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In: Annals of Occupational Hygiene. - : Oxford University Press. - 0003-4878 .- 1475-3162. ; 59:8, s. 1074-1084
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Chlorination is a method commonly used to keep indoor swimming pool water free from pathogens. However, chlorination of swimming pools produces several potentially hazardous by-products as the chlorine reacts with nitrogen containing organic matter. Up till now, exposure assessments in indoor swimming pools have relied on stationary measurements at the poolside, used as a proxy for personal exposure. However, measurements at fixed locations are known to differ from personal exposure.Methods: Eight public swimming pool facilities in four Swedish cities were included in this survey. Personal and stationary sampling was performed during day or evening shift. Samplers were placed at different fixed positions around the pool facilities, at similar to 1.5 m above the floor level and 0-1 m from the poolside. In total, 52 personal and 110 stationary samples of trichloramine and 51 personal and 109 stationary samples of trihalomethanes, were collected.Results: The average concentration of trichloramine for personal sampling was 71 mu g m(-3), ranging from 1 to 240 mu g m(-3) and for stationary samples 179 mu g m(-3), ranging from 1 to 640 mu g m(-3). The air concentrations of chloroform were well below the occupational exposure limit (OEL). For the linear regression analysis and prediction of personal exposure to trichloramine from stationary sampling, only data from personal that spent > 50% of their workday in the pool area were included. The linear regression analysis showed a correlation coefficient (r (2)) of 0.693 and a significant regression coefficient beta of 0.621; (95% CI = 0.329-0.912, P = 0.001).Conclusion: The trichloramine exposure levels determined in this study were well below the recommended air concentration level of 500 mu g m(-3); a WHO reference value based on stationary sampling. Our regression data suggest a relation between personal exposure and area sampling of 1:2, implying an OEL of 250 mu g m(-3) based on personal sampling.
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