An Integrated Air Monitoring Approach for Assessment of Formaldehyde in the Workplace

The aim of this study is to validate an integrated air monitoring approach for assessing airborne formaldehyde (FA) in the workplace. An active sampling by silica gel impregnated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine, a passive solid phase microextraction technique using O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine as on-fiber derivatization reagent, an electrochemical direct-reading monitor, and an enzyme-based badge were evaluated and tested over a range of 0.020–5.12 ppm, using dynamically generated FA air concentrations. Simple linear regression analysis showed the four methods were suitable for evaluating airborne FA. Personal and area samplings in 12 anatomy pathology departments showed that the international occupational exposure limits in the GESTIS database were frequently exceeded. This monitoring approach would allow a fast, easy-to-use, and economical evaluation of both current work practices and eventual changes made to reduce FA vapor concentrations.

Analysis of Air Concentration of Aspergillus Flavus in Hospital / 中华医院感染学杂志

OBJECTIVE To study the degree and regular of Aspergillus flavus air contamination in hospital.METHODS Some ambient air of different environment in our hospital was taken 5 times in one day of four seasons one year by using centrifugal air sampler,and then cultivated(using eumycete cultural methods),counted and analyzed.RESULTS A.flavus strain was collected in all sampling points in four seasons.The concentration of Aspergillus flavus in six standort was diverse from each other,and the highest was the out-patient clinic with 1238.9 CFU/m3.The concentration of Aspergillus flavus in each division of Medical Department was significant difference during four seasons(P0.05).The difference between internal medicine and external enviroment was significant between the first and the third season(P=0.022,P=0.039),but that of the second and the fouth season was not significant(P=0.022,P=0.624).CONCLUSIONS The contamination of Aspergillus flavus in hospital was severe.So it′s necessary to prevent the Aspergillus flavus infection and enhance the environmental control of susceptible population.

Exposición a estireno en cabinas prefabricadas: Estudio comparativo 2003-2005 / Styrene exposure in pre-built cabins: Comparative study 2003-2005

Los objetos fabricados con las resinasreforzadas pueden liberar al medio ambiente, vapor de estireno, lo que conlleva a tener una exposición al disolvente. En Uruguay, para el desarrollo de diferentes tareas administrativas, de vigilancia, de comercio, etc. se utilizan unas cabinas que son fabricadas con resinas de poliester no saturadas. En un trabajo anterior se comprobó que existía exposición a estireno en este tipo de cabinas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar los riesgos higiénicos a los que está expuesto el personal de empresa que desarrolla sus tareas administrativas en cabinas de fibra de vidrio reforzadas de resina. Se realizaron muestreos ambientales en cabinas ubicadas en diferentes zonas del Montevideo durante el año 2004 y 2005. Los valores de referencia que se utilizaron fueron los de la American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) de 2006.El trabajo realizado demuestra que no existe exposición del personal a vapores de estireno en sus lugares de trabajo con el consiguiente riesgo descrito para estos productos. Considerando los resultados del año 2003, se concluye que los valores obtenidos ese año fueron puntuales del tipo de cabinas.

The objects made with reinforced resins can release styrene steam to the indoor environment, which involves worker´s exposure to this toxic solvent. In Uruguay, some administrative, commerce, and more tasks are carried out in those fiber glass cabins which are manufactured with those resins. In a previous study we had high values of styrene in air and his metabolites in urine for people working in this buildings. The aim of this study is the evaluation of the hygienic risks to exposed workers from different companies who perform their administrative tasks in reinforced fiber glass cabins. Environmental samplings were made. The reference values used were those of the American Conference of Industrial Governmental Hygienists of 2005 (ACGIH). The results obtained demonstrates that there was no exposure to styrene released from the cabin. The study in 2003 was a particular cabins problem.

Determination of Dioxins in Human Hair: Estimation of External and Internal Exposure to Dioxins

Objectives: To clarify the origin of dioxin and related compounds (dioxins) in human hair, we determined the amounts of adsorbed dioxins in human hair, and the distribution of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in rats. Methods: Human hair specimens, packed in a glass column, were exposed to ambient air that was introduced into the column with an air pump for 24 h. Rats were administered TCDD by gavage at doses of 0.2, 0.8, and 1.6 μg/kg body weight. Four weeks after TCDD administration, hair from the back, serum, and adipose tissue were removed under diethyl ether anesthesia. The amounts of dioxins in these samples were analyzed by high resolution gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy. Results: Exposure of the hair specimens to ambient air for one day increased the total toxic equivalent (TEQ) value by 51%. In TCDD-treated rats, the amount of TCDD in hair increased in a dose-dependent manner, and showed a significant positive correlation with that in adipose tissue. Conclusions: Human hair was found to retain dioxins by both internal and external exposure, and the contribution of external exposure was estimated to be about 40% of the TEQ.

Determination of dioxins in human hair: Estimation of external and internal exposure to dioxins

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To clarify the origin of dioxin and related compounds (dioxins) in human hair, we determined the amounts of adsorbed dioxins in human hair, and the distribution of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human hair specimens, packed in a glass column, were exposed to ambient air that was introduced into the column with an air pump for 24 h. Rats were administered TCDD by gavage at doses of 0.2, 0.8, and 1.6 μg/kg body weight. Four weeks after TCDD administration, hair from the back, serum, and adipose tissue were removed under diethyl ether anesthesia. The amounts of dioxins in these samples were analyzed by high resolution gas chromatography with mass spectroscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Exposure of the hair specimens to ambient air for one day increased the total toxic equivalent (TEQ) value by 51%. In TCDD-treated rats, the amount of TCDD in hair increased in a dose-dependent manner, and showed a significant positive correlation with that in adipose tissue.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Human hair was found to retain dioxins by both internal and external exposure, and the contribution of external exposure was estimated to be about 40% of the TEQ.</p>