Inhalation Exposure to Dust Pollution in the Workplace

Exposure to dust in the air is one of the most common environmental hazards in workshops that can have devastating effects on health. In this study, workers' exposure to particles in inhaled air by conventional methods as well as GIS has been investigated. The research was performed cross-sectionally-analytically and the sample size was determined through homogeneous exposure groups and environmental and individual exposure was performed based on standard methods and individual and environmental sampling methods. The obtained data were analyzed using GIS software to determine the distribution maps. In this paper, the mean concentration of exposure to dust for each individual in the matched exposure groups was ۸.۳۶۱ mg/m. The highest level of individual exposure was estimated in the powder operator with a value of ۲۱۳۱۳ mg/m۳ and the lowest in the fine wire emperor with a value of ۱.۹۷ mg/m۳. The minimum environmental concentration in the cutting hall was ۰.۳۰۵ mg/m and the maximum value was ۲۲ mg/m۳ in the powder hall. The results of the evaluation with AIHA criteria in all methods showed that weaving, material, and packaging halls have the highest concentration and cutting halls have the lowest dust concentration. Comparison with the GIS method showed that powdering, materializing, and packing halls have the highest concentration and cutting halls have the lowest dust concentration. Comparison with the GIS method showed that in this method, more people are classified in the risk area.

Keywords:

GIS , exposure assessment , Air pollution , Occupational health , Interpolation