Objetivo. No Brasil encontram-se em crescimento os índices de prevalência das doenças crônicas causadas pela exposição dos trabalhadores a poeiras minerais. Realizou-se estudo com objetivo de avaliar as condições de trabalho e de saúde dos trabalhadores em marmorarias e propor ações preventivas. Métodos. Realizou-se estudo transversal em 27 marmorarias, no Município de São Paulo que executavam o beneficiamento final de rochas ornamentais, incluindo: a) avaliação da exposição a poeiras e à sílica cristalina respirável por meio de coleta de amostras de ar (n=762), análise por gravimetria e Difração de Raios X e acumulação das exposições estimadas por função conforme história ocupacional; b) aplicação de questionário de sintomas respiratórios (n=267) e avaliação médica, por espirometria e radiogradia de tórax; d) correlação dos resultados de exposição acumulada com achados clínicos e radiológicos por meio de análises estatísticas; e) levantamento de informações sobre os processos de trabalho e alternativas de controle. Resultados. Para os acabadores encontrou-se a maior exposição: concentração de 0,36 mg/m³ (IC95% 0,29 e 0,42) para os granitos e de 0,19 mg/m3 (IC95% 0,16-0,22) para a mistura de matérias-primas. Para estimativa de exposição acumulada à sílica cristalina respirável com mediana de 0,56 mg/m3-anos existiu risco de Odds Ratio igual a 1,2 (IC95% 1,02-1,40) de o trabalhador exposto apresentar classificação radiológica com alterações, presença de pequenas opacidades - profusão ³ 0/1, em relação a um trabalhador não-exposto. A população possuía baixo nível de escolaridade e de renda familiar, com média de idade 35,8 (±11,6) anos. Conclusões. Há exposição excessiva à sílica cristalina respirável nas marmorarias, com valores de concentração ultrapassando até 54 vezes o valor de referência recomendado pela NIOSH 0,05 mg/m3. As matérias-primas mais perigosas foram rochas silicáticas (silestoneÒ, granitos, arenitos e quartzitos). Entre as medidas de controle para as poeiras, caracterizaram-se como mais eficientes as aplicadas a úmido em máquinas e ferramentas. / Objective. In Brazil it can be seen growing prevalence rates of chronic diseases due to occupational exposure to mineral dusts, being silicosis the greater prevalence of pneumoconiosis. A study was carried out with the aim to evaluate the work conditions and of the workers’ health in granite and marble sheds and to propose preventive actions. Methods: A cross sectional study was performed among 27 sheds in Sao Paulo county that perform the finishing work of ornamental rocks. The study included: a) evaluation of dust exposure and respirable crystalline silica, by means of air sampling (n=762), analysis by gravimetry and X-Ray diffraction, and cumulative silica exposure estimates in each job according to the occupational history; b) applying a questionnaire of respiratory symptoms (n=267) and medical evaluation, espirometry and chest X-Ray; d) results correlation of cumulative exposure with the clinical and radiological data by statistical means; e) search of working process information and control alternatives. Results: Finishing workers had the greater exposition: concentration of 0.36 mg/m3 (CI95% 0.29-0.42) for granites and of 0.19 mg/m3 (CI95% 0.16-0.22) for the mixture of raw materials. To the estimated cumulative exposure to respirable crystalline silica with median equal to 0.56 mg/m3-years there was a risk Odds Ratio =OR=1.20 (CI95%1.02 1.40) of the exposed worked to present an altered radiological classification with alterations, presence of small opacities - perfusion ≥0/1, in relation to a non exposed worker. The population studied had low scholar education and low familiar income, with average age 35.8 (±11,6) years. Conclusions: There is excessive exposure to respirable crystalline silica in sheds with concentrations 54 times over the recommended exposure limit by NIOSH of 0.05 mg/m3. The most dangerous raw materials were silicatious rocks (silestoneÒ, granites, sandstones and quartzites). Among the control measures for dusts, were characterized as more efficient the applied ones the humid in machines and tools.

Objetivo. No Brasil encontram-se em crescimento os índices de prevalência das doenças crônicas causadas pela exposição dos trabalhadores a poeiras minerais. Realizou-se estudo com objetivo de avaliar as condições de trabalho e de saúde dos trabalhadores em marmorarias e propor ações preventivas. Métodos. Realizou-se estudo transversal em 27 marmorarias, no Município de São Paulo que executavam o beneficiamento final de rochas ornamentais, incluindo: a) avaliação da exposição a poeiras e à sílica cristalina respirável por meio de coleta de amostras de ar (n=762), análise por gravimetria e Difração de Raios X e acumulação das exposições estimadas por função conforme história ocupacional; b) aplicação de questionário de sintomas respiratórios (n=267) e avaliação médica, por espirometria e radiogradia de tórax; d) correlação dos resultados de exposição acumulada com achados clínicos e radiológicos por meio de análises estatísticas; e) levantamento de informações sobre os processos de trabalho e alternativas de controle. Resultados. Para os acabadores encontrou-se a maior exposição: concentração de 0,36 mg/m³ (IC95% 0,29 e 0,42) para os granitos e de 0,19 mg/m3 (IC95% 0,16-0,22) para a mistura de matérias-primas. Para estimativa de exposição acumulada à sílica cristalina respirável com mediana de 0,56 mg/m3-anos existiu risco de Odds Ratio igual a 1,2 (IC95% 1,02-1,40) de o trabalhador exposto apresentar classificação radiológica com alterações, presença de pequenas opacidades - profusão ³ 0/1, em relação a um trabalhador não-exposto. A população possuía baixo nível de escolaridade e de renda familiar, com média de idade 35,8 (±11,6) anos. Conclusões. Há exposição excessiva à sílica cristalina respirável nas marmorarias, com valores de concentração ultrapassando até 54 vezes o valor de referência recomendado pela NIOSH 0,05 mg/m3. As matérias-primas mais perigosas foram rochas silicáticas (silestoneÒ, granitos, arenitos e quartzitos). Entre as medidas de controle para as poeiras, caracterizaram-se como mais eficientes as aplicadas a úmido em máquinas e ferramentas. / Objective. In Brazil it can be seen growing prevalence rates of chronic diseases due to occupational exposure to mineral dusts, being silicosis the greater prevalence of pneumoconiosis. A study was carried out with the aim to evaluate the work conditions and of the workers’ health in granite and marble sheds and to propose preventive actions. Methods: A cross sectional study was performed among 27 sheds in Sao Paulo county that perform the finishing work of ornamental rocks. The study included: a) evaluation of dust exposure and respirable crystalline silica, by means of air sampling (n=762), analysis by gravimetry and X-Ray diffraction, and cumulative silica exposure estimates in each job according to the occupational history; b) applying a questionnaire of respiratory symptoms (n=267) and medical evaluation, espirometry and chest X-Ray; d) results correlation of cumulative exposure with the clinical and radiological data by statistical means; e) search of working process information and control alternatives. Results: Finishing workers had the greater exposition: concentration of 0.36 mg/m3 (CI95% 0.29-0.42) for granites and of 0.19 mg/m3 (CI95% 0.16-0.22) for the mixture of raw materials. To the estimated cumulative exposure to respirable crystalline silica with median equal to 0.56 mg/m3-years there was a risk Odds Ratio =OR=1.20 (CI95%1.02 1.40) of the exposed worked to present an altered radiological classification with alterations, presence of small opacities - perfusion ≥0/1, in relation to a non exposed worker. The population studied had low scholar education and low familiar income, with average age 35.8 (±11,6) years. Conclusions: There is excessive exposure to respirable crystalline silica in sheds with concentrations 54 times over the recommended exposure limit by NIOSH of 0.05 mg/m3. The most dangerous raw materials were silicatious rocks (silestoneÒ, granites, sandstones and quartzites). Among the control measures for dusts, were characterized as more efficient the applied ones the humid in machines and tools.

ABSTRACT MONITORING AND STATISTICAL MODELLING OF DUST CONCENTRATION OF SOME TURKISH LIGNITES UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS Karakas, Ahmet Ph.D., Department of Mining Engineering Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Tevfik G&uuml / yag&uuml / ler September 2010, 171 pages Although technological developments enable maximum safety, high dust formation is still a crucial problem in coal mining sector. This study is aimed to investigate the relationship between amount of coal dust produced during cutting operation and some important coal properties together with cutting parameters for different particle size ranges in laboratory conditions. For this purpose, six Turkish lignite samples were used in the experiments. Two experiment sets were designed to generate coal dust by using cutting action of the saw. First group of experiments were conducted in large scale saw system by using saws having three different diameters and dust concentration measurements were done for three group of particle size namely: 0-2.5 &mu / m, 0-5 &mu / m and 0-10 &mu / m. Second group of experiments were done in small scale saw system by changing the table advancing speed and tip speed of the system. For this group of experiments, only one type of lignite samples were used. These measurements were carried out only 0-10 &mu / m particle size range by using a saw with 30 cm in diamater. In this study, to characterize the lignite samples / proximate, petrographic and grindability analysis (HGI) were made. During the experiments, dust concentrations were measured by using Microdust Pro real time dust monitoring equipment. At the end of the study, the relationship between coal dust concentration and some coal properties and cutting operating parameters were expressed by using four different regression equations. Also it has been found that tip speed of saw, fixed carbon, ash and huminite content, vitrinite reflectance and hardgrove grindability index are very important parameters in coal dust generation. Keywords: Respirable Coal Dust, Dust Generation, Real Time Dust Sampler, Coal Dust Diseases, Coal Cutting Operation.

This thesis describes the development and use of a computer-automated microscopy routine for characterization of respirable dust particles from coal mines. Respirable dust in underground coal mining environments has long been known to pose an occupational health hazard for miners. Typically following years of exposure, coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) and silicosis are the most common disease diagnoses. Although dramatic reductions in CWP and silicosis cases were achieved across the US between about 1970-1999 through a combination of regulatory dust exposure limits, improved ventilation and dust abatement practices, a resurgence in disease incidence has been noted more recently – particularly in parts of Appalachia. To shed light on this alarming trend and allow for better understanding of the role of respirable dust in development of disease, more must be learned about the specific characteristics of dust particles and occupational exposures. This work first sought to develop an automated routine for the characterization of respirable dust using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray (SEM-EDX). SEM-EDX is a powerful tool that allows determination of the size, shape, and chemistry of individual particles, but manual operation of the instrument is very time consuming and has the potential to introduce user bias. The automated method developed here provides for much more efficient analysis – with a data capture rate that is typically 25 times faster than that of the manual method on which it was based – and also eliminates bias between users. Moreover, due to its efficiency and broader coverage of a dust sample, it allows for characterization of a larger and more representative number of particles per sample. The routine was verified using respirable dust samples generated from known materials commonly observed in underground coal mines in the central Appalachian region, as well as field samples collected in this region. This effort demonstrated that particles between about 1-9μm were accurately classified with respect to defined chemical categories, and suggested that analysis of 500 particles across a large area of a sample filter generally provides representative results. The automated SEM-EDX routine was then used to characterize a total of 210 respirable dust samples collected in eight Appalachian coal mines. The mines were located in three distinct regions (i.e., northern, mid-central and south-central Appalachia), which differed in terms of primary mining method, coal seam thickness and mining height, and coal and/or rock mineralogy. Results were analyzed to determine whether number distributions of particle size, aspect ratio, and chemistry classification vary between and within distinct mine regions, and by general sampling location categories (i.e., intake, feeder, production, return). Key findings include: 1) Northern Appalachian mines have relatively higher fractions of coal, carbonate, and heavy mineral particles than the two central Appalachian regions, whereas central Appalachian mines have higher fractions of quartz and alumino-silicate particles. 2) Central Appalachian mines tended to have more mine-to-mine variations in size, shape, and chemistry distributions than northern Appalachian mines. 3) With respect to particle size, samples collected in locations in the production and return categories have the highest percentages of very small particles (i.e., 0.94-2.0μm), followed by the feeder and then the intake locations. 4) With respect to particle shape, samples collected in locations in the production and return categories have higher fractions of particles with moderate (i.e., length is 1.5 to 3x width) to relatively high aspect ratios (i.e., length is greater than 3x width) compared to feeder and intake samples. 5) Samples with relatively high fractions of alumino-silicates have higher fractions of particles with moderate aspect ratios than samples with low alumino-silicate fractions. 6) Samples with relatively high fractions of quartz particles have higher fractions of particles with moderate aspect ratios and higher percentages of very small particles than samples with no identified quartz particles. 7) Samples with high fractions of carbonates have higher percentages of particles with relatively low aspect ratios (i.e., length and width are similar) than samples with no identified carbonate particles. / Master of Science

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A mutagenicidade do material particulado é atribuída primeiramente aos hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPA). Investigamos a atividade mutagênica do material particulado (MP2,5) em amostras coletadas em três pontos da cidade do Rio de Janeiro. As coletas foram realizadas com auxílio de um amostrador de grande volume na Avenida Brasil, no campus da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro e no Túnel Rebouças em filtros de fibra de vidro. Metade de cada filtro foi submetido à extração por sonicação com o solvente diclorometano. Seis HPA foram identificados e quantificados por cromatografia gasosa com espectrometria de massa (GC/MS). Após a análise química as concentrações dos HPA obtidos foram correlacionados ao fatores físicos, além de ser realizado avaliação de risco para cada HPA estudado. Linhagens de Salmonella typhimurium (TA98 e derivadas TA98/1.8-DNP6, YG1021 e YG1024) foram utilizadas no ensaio de mutagenicidade e tratadas (10-50 g/placa) com extrato orgânico na presença e na ausência de metabolização exógena. Células de raiz de cebola foram tratadas com extratos orgânicos nas concentrações (5-25g/mL). A alta umidade encontrada no Túnel Rebouças pode ter influenciado na deposição de cinco dos seis HPA estudados em material particulado. Além disso, em diferentes condições de tráfego, motoristas de ônibus que cruzam a Avenida Brasil e o Rebouças túnel estão expostos ao risco induzidos por HPA na ordem de 10-6. Mutagenicidade foi detectada tanto na presença quanto na ausência de metabolização, para as linhagens YG1021 e YG1024 nos três pontos, sugerindo a presença de nitro e amino derivados de HPA. As amostras do Túnel Rebouças apresentaram os maiores valores para rev/g e rev/m3. Estes resultados podem estar relacionados ao longo trajeto e a restrita ventilação. Efeito citotóxico foi detectado pelo ensaio Allium cepa nos três pontos de monitoramento. Além disso os extratos orgânicos provenientes das coletas da Avenida Brasil, UERJ e do Túnel Rebouças induziram efeito clastogênico em células de raiz de Allium cepa / The mutagenicity of airborne particles from combustion is attributed primarily to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We investigated the mutagenic activity of particulate matter (PM2.5) samples collected from three sites in Rio de Janeiro. Samples were collected using a high-volume sampler at Avenida Brasil, the campus of the Rio de Janeiro State University, and Rebouças tunnel. Half of each filter was submitted to sequential extraction by sonication with dichloromethane. Six PAHs were quantified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and the derivative strains TA98/1.8-DNP6, YG1021 and YG1024 used in mutagenicity assays were treated (10-50 g/plate) with and without exogenous metabolization. Onion root cells were treated with organic extracts concentrations (5-25g/mL). The high humidity detected in the Rebouças Tunnel may have influenced the deposition of five of the six PAHs studied in particulate matter. Moreover, in different traffic conditions can put the bus drivers that cross the Brasil Avenue and Rebouças tunnel at the risk of exposure induced by HPA in the order of 10-6. Independently of exogenous metabolization, mutagenicity was detected for strains YG1021 and YG1024 at all the sites, suggesting the presence of nitro and amino derivatives of PAHs. Rebouças tunnel presented the highest values for rev/g and rev/m3. These could be related to the fact that this long, enclosed passageway and restricts ventilation. Cytotoxic effect was detected by the Allium cepa test in the three monitoring sites. Also organic extracts from Brazil Avenue, UERJ and Rebouças Tunnel showed clastogenic effect in Allium cepa roots

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A mutagenicidade do material particulado é atribuída primeiramente aos hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPA). Investigamos a atividade mutagênica do material particulado (MP2,5) em amostras coletadas em três pontos da cidade do Rio de Janeiro. As coletas foram realizadas com auxílio de um amostrador de grande volume na Avenida Brasil, no campus da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro e no Túnel Rebouças em filtros de fibra de vidro. Metade de cada filtro foi submetido à extração por sonicação com o solvente diclorometano. Seis HPA foram identificados e quantificados por cromatografia gasosa com espectrometria de massa (GC/MS). Após a análise química as concentrações dos HPA obtidos foram correlacionados ao fatores físicos, além de ser realizado avaliação de risco para cada HPA estudado. Linhagens de Salmonella typhimurium (TA98 e derivadas TA98/1.8-DNP6, YG1021 e YG1024) foram utilizadas no ensaio de mutagenicidade e tratadas (10-50 g/placa) com extrato orgânico na presença e na ausência de metabolização exógena. Células de raiz de cebola foram tratadas com extratos orgânicos nas concentrações (5-25g/mL). A alta umidade encontrada no Túnel Rebouças pode ter influenciado na deposição de cinco dos seis HPA estudados em material particulado. Além disso, em diferentes condições de tráfego, motoristas de ônibus que cruzam a Avenida Brasil e o Rebouças túnel estão expostos ao risco induzidos por HPA na ordem de 10-6. Mutagenicidade foi detectada tanto na presença quanto na ausência de metabolização, para as linhagens YG1021 e YG1024 nos três pontos, sugerindo a presença de nitro e amino derivados de HPA. As amostras do Túnel Rebouças apresentaram os maiores valores para rev/g e rev/m3. Estes resultados podem estar relacionados ao longo trajeto e a restrita ventilação. Efeito citotóxico foi detectado pelo ensaio Allium cepa nos três pontos de monitoramento. Além disso os extratos orgânicos provenientes das coletas da Avenida Brasil, UERJ e do Túnel Rebouças induziram efeito clastogênico em células de raiz de Allium cepa / The mutagenicity of airborne particles from combustion is attributed primarily to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We investigated the mutagenic activity of particulate matter (PM2.5) samples collected from three sites in Rio de Janeiro. Samples were collected using a high-volume sampler at Avenida Brasil, the campus of the Rio de Janeiro State University, and Rebouças tunnel. Half of each filter was submitted to sequential extraction by sonication with dichloromethane. Six PAHs were quantified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and the derivative strains TA98/1.8-DNP6, YG1021 and YG1024 used in mutagenicity assays were treated (10-50 g/plate) with and without exogenous metabolization. Onion root cells were treated with organic extracts concentrations (5-25g/mL). The high humidity detected in the Rebouças Tunnel may have influenced the deposition of five of the six PAHs studied in particulate matter. Moreover, in different traffic conditions can put the bus drivers that cross the Brasil Avenue and Rebouças tunnel at the risk of exposure induced by HPA in the order of 10-6. Independently of exogenous metabolization, mutagenicity was detected for strains YG1021 and YG1024 at all the sites, suggesting the presence of nitro and amino derivatives of PAHs. Rebouças tunnel presented the highest values for rev/g and rev/m3. These could be related to the fact that this long, enclosed passageway and restricts ventilation. Cytotoxic effect was detected by the Allium cepa test in the three monitoring sites. Also organic extracts from Brazil Avenue, UERJ and Rebouças Tunnel showed clastogenic effect in Allium cepa roots