ABSTRACT
In 2003-2004, the Asbestos Victims Association of Quebec undertook an exploratory sampling of the air and soil in the residential community of asbestos mining towns. In the 26 houses in the Thetford Mines area, 28 air samples were collected; one outdoor air sample was collected; 14 soil samples were taken; one dust sample was taken from a windowsill. The AHERA criterion was exceeded in 15 of the 28 air samples collected and the World Trade Center criterion was exceeded in five of 26 cases. The risk of developing asbestos-related cancer following such in-home exposures over 30 years is estimated at 1 in 10,000. Soil from the driveways or backyards of nine homes was covered with residue from a tailing pile. Of 14 samples, seven had chrysotile content in excess of 10%; in three, content exceeded 60%, and one reached 100%. Dust from the windowsill had a chrysotile content of 1.2 million structures of all lengths/sq cm. These results suggest a real public health threat in the Quebec mining areas.
Subject(s)
Air Pollutants/analysis , Asbestos/analysis , Community Participation/methods , Environmental Exposure/analysis , Mining , Residence Characteristics , Cross-Sectional Studies , Environmental Monitoring , Humans , Mineral Fibers/analysis , Pilot Projects , Prospective Studies , Quebec , Soil Pollutants/analysisABSTRACT
Research was conducted to identify an ergonomics-based intervention model designed to factor in musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) prevention when library projects are being designed. The first stage of the research involved an a posteriori analysis of 10 recent redesign projects. The purpose of the analysis was to document perceptions about the attention given to MSD prevention measures over the course of a project on the part of 2 categories of employees: librarians responsible for such projects and personnel working in the libraries before and after changes. Subjects were interviewed in focus groups. Outcomes of the analysis can guide our ergonomic assessment of current situations and contribute to a better understanding of the way inclusion or improvement of prevention measures can support the workplace design process.
