Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Univ., 2001. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

Introduction: Poultry workers have an increased risk of respiratory symptoms associated with various irritant and allergenic exposures causing airway inflammation. This study investigated the levels of (1-3)-β-D glucan exposure in several poultry farming processes. The objectives involved categorising the different tasks undertaken in the poultry industry. After which a method was established and validated to detect and quantify the levels of (1-3)-β-D glucan using the Glucatell assay. This assay was used to measure the amount of (1-3)-β-D glucan poultry farm workers were exposed to using personal sampling. Thereafter, general respiratory symptoms were described briefly via the administration of a respiratory questionnaire. Method: A total of 308 personal air samples were collected from several poultry farming processes (rearing, laying, hatchery, broilers, catching) of a large poultry farm in the North West Province. A walkthrough checklist was used to obtain information on various exposure determinants such as farm size, number of chickens, ventilation system, bedding material used and poultry feed used. The Glucatell assay (Associates of Cape Cod, East Falmouth, MA, USA) was used to quantify the concentration of (1-3)-β-D glucans in the air samples. Results: The geometric mean concentrations of (1-3)-β-D glucans ranged from 24.38 to 645.98 ng/m3 across the various poultry farming processes investigated. Workers in the broiler farms were exposed to two times higher levels of (1-3)-β-D glucans compared to those in the breeding farms. The sizes of the broiler farm houses as well as the age of the chickens were among the main determinants of exposure. The larger broiler farm houses (GM=5.2 ng/m3, GSD=3.74) had significantly (p<0.05) lower levels than the smaller broiler farm houses (GM=6.4 ng/m3, GSD=2.14) whilst houses with older chickens had higher (1-3)-β-D glucan levels (G=5.8 ng/m3,

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst. / Härtill 7 uppsatser.

Background This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to assess the exposure to formaldehyde associated with the tasks in a pathology laboratory unit. The study objectives were to describe the tasks involving the use of formaldehyde in the unit and assess exposure to formaldehyde as well as assess the effectiveness of existing engineering/ventilation system control methods. Methods The study involved observation and description of all tasks carried out in the laboratory, assessing exposure to formaldehyde and physical measurements of laboratory parameters such as area and volume. Exposure assessment involved three levels: task-based exposure assessment; personal exposure assessment and area exposure assessment. Formaldehyde measurements, by means of shadow sampling (personal breathing zone sampling by another person shadowing person being sampled) were taken using the formaldehyde meter. Data were summarised using means, medians and proportions and results were presented in figures and tables. For significance testing, an analysis of variance was carried out on the log-transformed data and p-value less than 0.05 were interpreted as statistically significant. Results Not all tasks in the laboratory were done according to the standard operating procedures. In general, exposure to formaldehyde was highest among the assistants group who were mostly responsible for high-exposure tasks. Mean STEL values for assistants, technologists and pathologist were 2.37ppm, 1.21ppm and 1.59ppm respectively, while for TWA, the figures were 0.60ppm, 0.36ppm and 0.21ppm. For short term exposures (STEL and peak values) pathologist exposure levels were higher than those of technologists while technologists were higher for long term exposures (daily exposure and 8-hour TWA). Daily exposure varied significantly for assistants and technologists but not for pathologist. Despite the use of engineering exposure controls for formaldehyde, 27/28 of all tasks were higher than the ACGIH threshold ceiling limit of 0.3ppm, 0.008ppm MRL value and 0.002ppm RELTWAConclusion The results have shown exposures among the employees of all job categories in this study, with laboratory assistants being the most exposed. Currently installed local ventilation system requires to be upgraded in accordance with best practices of 3.5m/s for air speed. Training, on PPE usage together with the medical surveillance should also be implemented. value.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1975.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [191]-193).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1975.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Toledo, 2006. / "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Occupational Health." Major advisor: Sheryl Milz. Includes abstract. Document formatted into pages: iv, 66 p. Title from title page of PDF document. Title at ETD Web site: Advantages of using the ANSI/ASHRAE 110-1995 tracer gas test method versus the ANSI/AIHA Z9.5-1992 face velocity test method for chemical laboratory hood certification. Bibliography: pages 58-61.

Thesis--University of Oklahoma. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 45-46).