Exposure of highway maintenance workers to fine particulate matter and noise

Details

Ressource 1Download: BIB_82665E772267.P001.pdf (1939.05 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: Author's accepted manuscript
Serval ID
serval:BIB_82665E772267
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Exposure of highway maintenance workers to fine particulate matter and noise
Journal
Annals of Occupational Hygiene
Author(s)
Meier Reto, Cascio Wayne E., Danuser Brigitta, Riediker Michael
ISSN
1475-3162 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0003-4878
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2013
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
57
Number
8
Pages
992-1004
Language
english
Abstract
In this study, we assessed the mixed exposure of highway maintenance workers to airborne particles, noise, and gaseous co-pollutants. The aim was to provide a better understanding of the workers' exposure to facilitate the evaluation of short-term effects on cardiovascular health endpoints. To quantify the workers' exposure, we monitored 18 subjects during 50 non-consecutive work shifts. Exposure assessment was based on personal and work site measurements and included fine particulate matter (PM2.5), particle number concentration (PNC), noise (Leq), and the gaseous co-pollutants: carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone. Mean work shift PM2.5 concentrations (gravimetric measurements) ranged from 20.3 to 321 μg m(-3) (mean 62 μg m(-3)) and PNC were between 1.6×10(4) and 4.1×10(5) particles cm(-3) (8.9×10(4) particles cm(-3)). Noise levels were generally high with Leq over work shifts from 73.3 to 96.0 dB(A); the averaged Leq over all work shifts was 87.2 dB(A). The highest exposure to fine and ultrafine particles was measured during grass mowing and lumbering when motorized brush cutters and chain saws were used. Highest noise levels, caused by pneumatic hammers, were measured during paving and guardrail repair. We found moderate Spearman correlations between PNC and PM2.5 (r = 0.56); PNC, PM2.5, and CO (r = 0.60 and r = 0.50) as well as PNC and noise (r = 0.50). Variability and correlation of parameters were influenced by work activities that included equipment causing combined air pollutant and noise emissions (e.g. brush cutters and chain saws). We conclude that highway maintenance workers are frequently exposed to elevated airborne particle and noise levels compared with the average population. This elevated exposure is a consequence of the permanent proximity to highway traffic with additional peak exposures caused by emissions of the work-related equipment.
Keywords
Nanoparticles , Air Pollutants, Occupational , Noise , Occupational Exposure , Occupational Health , Vehicle Emissions ,
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
04/07/2013 16:12
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:42
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