Asbestos sampling and monitoring data, starting from 2003, located in a large federal facility’s Asbestos Air Database Management (AADM) repository will be queried and analyzed on airborne asbestos fiber concentrations generated from abatement activities of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) and asbestos-containing building materials (ACBM). Historically, concerns expressed by personnel outside of the containment areas, whether adjacent to or quite a distance from the asbestos abatement activities present operational challenges for the project manager, potential angst and uneasiness to personnel residing next to the abatement activity as well as programmatic concerns to the building/facility managers. The concerned individuals working outside the abatement enclosure, in an unrelated activity to the abatement often believe there is a high probability for personal exposures of asbestos fibers based on their proximity to the abatement activities. Perceptions regarding containment performance, the uncertainty surrounding the long latency period between asbestos fiber exposure and onset of disease, and the lack of understanding about containment efficacy are just some of the elements that can generate worry. Using statistical analysis tools, such as regression analysis, relationships between one or more predictor variables relative to a response variable were investigated. This research reviewed and compared airborne asbestos fiber sample data relative to the specific activities, whether abatement or other, that were performed. In an effort to establish a holistic awareness to the reader as to why individuals are concerned about being located near asbestos abatement activities, the history of asbestos regulation and epidemiology is also discussed. The dataset contained 5534 sampling records made up of 3738 area samples (1426 outside containment structure and 2312 inside containment structure) and 1796 personal samples. Analysis identified that 1779 (>99%) out of the 1796 total personal exposure samples in the dataset indicated the asbestos workers were appropriately protected from overexposures. Only seventeen (<1%) of the 1796 total personal exposure samples exceeded the respective Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs): • Fifteen of the 17 exceeded the 8-hr TWA, 0.1 f/cc OEL. These exceedances were positively correlated with work tasks identifying that no respirators were required due to a Negative Exposure Assessment (NEA). • Two of the 17 exceeded the Assigned Protection Factor for the Half Face APR (10x the OEL protection) adjusted 8-hr TWA OEL, 1 f/cc. • There were no OEL exceedances identified for any 30-min Excursion personal sampling events. The focus for this assessment was to determine the efficacy of the asbestos abatement process and increased health risks to personnel. The findings suggest there is performance variability in the containment structures; however, the abatement process was effective and protective of the non-asbestos personnel outside of the abatement work area. It can also be concluded that the abatement process of containment structures, negative air, work methods (e.g. wet methods) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) have provided a protective environment for both workers and non-asbestos personnel outside of the containment structures.

This thesis is concerned with the identification, elimination and reduction of barriers to the use of personal respiratory protective equipment (RPE) in the workplace to reduce and prevent occupational inhalation disease. Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is widely used in industry, health, emergency response, military settings and many other applications and are in daily use by thousands of people in Australasia. The equipment is generally used to filter or ab/adsorb the contaminants from the air prior to delivery to the wearer by filtering or ad/absorbing contaminants from the air prior to being breathed. There is increasing concerns being expressed worldwide as well as in Australia and New Zealand about the apparent increase in diagnosed occupational diseases and the use of RPE is an essential preventative measure able to be adopted by workplaces. The use of this type of equipment is the option after the preferred options of elimination and isolation of the individual from the contaminant in the atmosphere. In spite of this, many different types of RPE are routinely in use. There are, however, enormous practical, physiological and psychological difficulties in the wearing of RPE. Concerns have been expressed in the literature as well as in practical situations that many different types of RPE was unable to meet the needs of workers, particularly as related to airflows and that current standards did not reflect the real-life workplace demands. This work set out to determine an improved methodology for users to determine the total inward leakage (TIL), the different types and quantities of airflows, particularly Peak Inspiratory Air Flows (PIAF). When communicating (an essential aspect in the workplace for safety reasons), PIAFs rise dramatically. This work showed that PIAF were very high, particularly when communicating, and is likely to exceed the ability of many commercial types of commercially available respiratory equipment as well being in excess of the certification requirements of standard bodies. In addition, Minute Volumes (MV) in a typical Australian workforce were shown to be very variable between individuals and current certification requirement of airflows do not appear to reflect practical use. The thesis further investigated using a questionnaire survey, the knowledge and current intervention measures adopted by farmers in different sections of agriculture, particularly dairy farming. Agriculture in New Zealand is a critical economic activity, employing 10% of the total workforce. This work showed that in spite of many different types of intervention activity spread over many years by Government agencies and private organisations to date, limited awareness exists of inhalation diseases and appropriate types of RPE in different applications (for example, confined space applications). The research would suggest that a different and more intensive approach is needed by Government agencies to address the problem in this workplace community if workplace inhalation diseases are to be reduced in the future.

This is a study of adsorption on three activated carbon substrates using solid- state NMR. The adsorbates used as probe molecules included a range of phosphates, phosphonates and deuterated water. High-resolution (^31)p and (^2)H NMR spectra have been obtained using magic-angle spinning and a single-pulse regime. The deuterium results include the generation of an adsorption isotherm. The traditional gravimetric analysis and NMR experiments were run concurrently. These results showed that the NMR technique was qualitatively and quantitatively accurate, while the proven adsorption isotherm theory could be applied to the NMR results. The additional information given by the (^2)H NMR results showed evidence of two distinct adsorption sites. Initial adsorption in the micropores gives a peak shifted by 6 ppm to low frequency of the liquid (^2)H(_2)O. This peak was broadened due to restricted motion in the micropores. The second peak was observed only at high relative humidities and was attributed to adsorption on the external surface or in macropores. The chemical shift was similar to that of the pure liquid. The (^31)p NMR results were used to directly observe the adsorption of phosphates with a range of molecular sizes. The NMR data were used to calculate the micropore accessibility for each phosphate. Differences in the adsorption mechanism were recorded, and direct comparison for each carbon gave some structural information. It was possible to follow competition reactions over time periods of 1 min to 24 hours. A battlefield simulation was studied, with (^2)H(_2)O and a phosphate competing for the adsorption sites. The NMR results showed that the phosphate was preferentially adsorbed into the micropores, displacing the (^2)H(_2)O However, the addition of (^2)H(_2)O to a carbon saturated with a phosphate enabled more phosphate to be adsorbed into the micropores via a cooperative mechanism. Measurements of the transverse relaxation for adsorbed molecules suggest that the broad micropore signal consists of some overlapping peaks. The peaks width similar chemical shift are attributed to adsorption in pores with differing dimensions. The natural linewidth involves broadening caused by restricted anisotropic motion within the micropores.

This thesis is concerned with the identification, elimination and reduction of barriers to the use of personal respiratory protective equipment (RPE) in the workplace to reduce and prevent occupational inhalation disease. Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is widely used in industry, health, emergency response, military settings and many other applications and are in daily use by thousands of people in Australasia. The equipment is generally used to filter or ab/adsorb the contaminants from the air prior to delivery to the wearer by filtering or ad/absorbing contaminants from the air prior to being breathed. There is increasing concerns being expressed worldwide as well as in Australia and New Zealand about the apparent increase in diagnosed occupational diseases and the use of RPE is an essential preventative measure able to be adopted by workplaces. The use of this type of equipment is the option after the preferred options of elimination and isolation of the individual from the contaminant in the atmosphere. In spite of this, many different types of RPE are routinely in use. There are, however, enormous practical, physiological and psychological difficulties in the wearing of RPE. Concerns have been expressed in the literature as well as in practical situations that many different types of RPE was unable to meet the needs of workers, particularly as related to airflows and that current standards did not reflect the real-life workplace demands. This work set out to determine an improved methodology for users to determine the total inward leakage (TIL), the different types and quantities of airflows, particularly Peak Inspiratory Air Flows (PIAF). When communicating (an essential aspect in the workplace for safety reasons), PIAFs rise dramatically. This work showed that PIAF were very high, particularly when communicating, and is likely to exceed the ability of many commercial types of commercially available respiratory equipment as well being in excess of the certification requirements of standard bodies. In addition, Minute Volumes (MV) in a typical Australian workforce were shown to be very variable between individuals and current certification requirement of airflows do not appear to reflect practical use. The thesis further investigated using a questionnaire survey, the knowledge and current intervention measures adopted by farmers in different sections of agriculture, particularly dairy farming. Agriculture in New Zealand is a critical economic activity, employing 10% of the total workforce. This work showed that in spite of many different types of intervention activity spread over many years by Government agencies and private organisations to date, limited awareness exists of inhalation diseases and appropriate types of RPE in different applications (for example, confined space applications). The research would suggest that a different and more intensive approach is needed by Government agencies to address the problem in this workplace community if workplace inhalation diseases are to be reduced in the future.

No description available.

Lung spirometry data from three working-class industry populations were analyzed using logistic and linear regression to see if seasonality adversely affected test outcomes. Populations included emergency responders, general industry, and shipwrights. The data was organized into allergy and non-allergy seasons using NOAA meteorological data and regression and logistic analysis was run on these separate populations to test for demographic and seasonal effects on lung spirometry test outcomes. The American Thoracic Society gold standard was as a point for determining impaired lung function (FEV1/FVC > 0.80). It was found that seasonality imparted a slight linear effect on the predictive values of FEV1 and FVC for determining impaired lung function FEV1 and FVC values were Pr > 0.0003 and Pr > 0.0002, respectively. For demographic variables, age imparted the greatest linear effect for FEV1 and FVC, with significant p-values of 0.0002 and

The overall aim throughout the project was to outline a new modular platform for a future generation of ventilators as well as designing a ventilator based on the defined platform. Doing so through a conceptual approach, looking at enabling cost efficient development, manufature and product scalability as well as taking the users needs for flexibility, improved usability, cable management and transport into consideration. The project used a traditional user centric design approach while also having a strong manufacturers focus when it came to looking at modularity and the company’s product offering.  The main insights throughout the project revolved around looking at the entire ecosystem of products and how they worked together in the intensive care unit (ICU). Understanding the core struggles and time consuming tasks in order further improve the workflow in the ICU. A big part of the ideation and concept development process was spent on building rough mock-ups for fast evaluation together with users and the collaborating partner. The result was a combined, highly modular, ventilator and monitoring system called Servo One. With a new tubing system that incorporated both humidifier and patient filter in a flexible way, together with an external sensor system, the concept drastically improved cable and tubing management - one of the biggest challenges in the ICU.

Substantial efforts have been made in the study of occupational induced airway diseases. A strong link has been found between worker exposure to organic dust and resulting acute pulmonary spasms. The supporting studies behind this link are primarily in the industries of cotton, animal and swine farming; however, some studies have been related to landscaping type tasks (i.e. mowing, leaf blowing). The relationship between organic dust and pulmonary response is associated with respiratory irritants that are found in materials such as soil, grain, and compost, especially when these materials have become moist. Some of the culprits that have been identified as causative agents of respiratory spasms are endotoxin, fungal spores, and fungal mycotoxin. This study focused on the respiratory hazards in the landscaping industry. During the month of March, landscapers worked heavily with wood mulch, which contains many organic materials that potentially harbor the aforementioned irritants. This study measured the exposure levels of endotoxin and fungal spores in the landscaper workers' breathable space. While also measuring the pulmonary function of participants and evaluating disposable respirators as an intervention. Low levels of endotoxin and fungal spores were found in the breathable space of the participants during the two days of data collection. The users were not completely satisfied with the half face disposable respirator provided, and offered detailed feedback concerning the design and use of the respirator intervention. / Master of Science

A model was developed to predict the increased physiological effort of wearing a respiratory protective device. Specifically, the model was designed to predict the effects of varying ventilatory demands on eleven respiratory variables of the man-respirator system, breath frequency (f_b), tidal volume (V_t), inspiratory flow (dvi/dt), expiratory flow (dve/dt), inspiratory mask pressure (P_mi), expiratory mask pressure (P_me), inspiratory intrathoracic pressure (P_ii), expiratory intrathoracic pressure (P_ie), inspiratory mask work (W_mi), expiratory mask work (W_me), and mask leakage index (L_i). The model was tested by experiment in which three male subjects underwent maximal exercise testing with and without the "pressure-demand" respirator. The eleven variables were determined for each thirty second period utilizing on-line computer analysis. Application of the model to these experimental conditions resulted in significant (p<.001) relationships between each of the predicted and observed variables.

This study looked at the effect relative humidity had on respirator performance.