[Occupational exposure to n-nitrosamine in the production of automobile tires]. / Narazenie zawodowe na n-nitrozoaminy w przemysle opon samochodowych.

Applying the method for determining nitrocompounds, based on gaz chromatography technique with nitro-phosphoric detector, N-nitrosodimethylamine, N-nitrosodiethylamine, N-nitrosodibutylamine, N-nitrosotetrahydropyrrole were detected in the work environment of the plant under study (method of determining 0.2 micrograms/m3 for 1000 l/air). For qualitative purposes the data obtained were supported by mass spectrometry. Measurements of individual exposure were taken in 35 persons and stationary measurements were also applied. Among nitrosamines detected, N-nitrosodimethylamine (carcinogenic substance) occurred most commonly at working post, and its concentration was the highest (2.1-9.2 micrograms/m3).

[Evaluation of exposure to toxic factors occurring in the cellulose and paper industry]. / Ocena narazenia na czynniki toksyczne wystepujace w przemysle celulozowo-papierniczym.

The study covered the work environment of a big plant producing sulfate cellulose, paper and paperboard. Measurements of chemical substance concentrations, performed by a local plant laboratory during the years 1976-1991, were analysed with reference to production departments and particular workplaces. Out of 37 substances under study, 16 were found in the air of workplaces. Their concentrations exceeded periodically hygienic standards. The most frequent excess of TLV applied to such compounds as wood dust (including hard beechwood), non-organic dusts containing 2-50% of crystalline silica and below 2% of silica, welding fumes, furfuryl aldehyde, sulfur dioxide, phenol and hydrogen sulfide. A computer-aided registrer of hygienic data facilitated the follow-up of dynamics of exposure to toxic compounds of workers employed at given workplaces.

Occupational exposure to coal tar pitch volatiles, benzo/a/pyrene and dust in tyre production.

Occupational exposure to coal tar pitch volatiles (CTPVs), benzo/a/pyrene (BaP) and dust was evaluated by means of individual measurements carried out in 80 workers and by stationary measurements on 16 work-posts in two divisions of the tyre producing plant. Dust and coal tar pitch volatiles concentrations in the air were determinated by the gravimetric method, measured, in the case of CPTVs, benzene-soluble fraction (BSF) with ultrasonic extraction. Benzo/a/pyrene analysis was performed using high performance liquid chromato-graphy (HPLC) with a spectrofluorimetric detector. It was found that nearly all personal sampling results for BaP were within the range < 4 divided by 142 ng/m3, except for the exposure of workers employed at weighing the raw materials (3,470-6,060 ng/m3) in the Semiproducts Division. Attention should be paid to the recorded CTPVs concentrations (benzene solubles). About 56% of the Vulcanizing Division workers and about 90% of the Semiproducts Division workers were exposed to these substances at concentrations of over 0.2 mg/m3 (hygienic standard for benzene solubles in USA). Exposure to dust (of high respirable fraction percentage > 90%) which exceeded the admissible value (4 mg/m3) was found mainly only in the workers of the Semiproducts Division at some work-posts.

Correlation between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons concentration and airborne particle mutagenicity in the rubber factory.

The study was undertaken to evaluate the correlation between benzo[a]pyrene and coal tar pitch volatiles concentrations and mutagenic activity of airborne particles sampled at different workplaces of the factory producing various types of tires. The solid phase of aerosols was collected on Whatman glass-fibers filters using Staplex pumps. Coal tar pitch volatiles (CTPVs) were extracted from sample filters using ultrasonic-benzene extraction and determined by the gravimetric method. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) analysis was performed using high performance liquid chromatography with a spectrofluorimetric detector. The mutagenic substances were extracted from collected material with acetone. The mutagenic properties were estimated with the Ames' test using S. typhimurium strain TA98 without and with S9 fraction. At nearly all workplaces the concentrations of BaP and CTPVs were within the range of 4-61 ng/m3 and 0.11-1.26 mg/m3, respectively. Only at weighing were they much higher and amounted to 172-2261 ng/m3 for BaP and 3.05-4.07 mg/m3 for CTPVs. The highest exposure to mutagenic airborne particulate matter was found at weighing (1500 rev/m3), the mixers loading level (> 500 rev/m3) and the carbon black station (> 150 rev/m3). The air mutagenic activity at other workplaces, especially at the extruder mill of the mixer (> 90 rev/m3), the two-roll mill of mixers (> 70 rev/m3), mixer I loading (> 70 rev/m3), calendering (> 70 rev/m3) and fender vulcanizing (> 80 rev/m3) was even much more higher than that found in the urban indoor and outdoor air (2-9 rev/m3).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Risk of neoplasms among workers in the paper-cellulose industry]. / Ryzyko choroby nowotworowej pracowników zatrudnionych w przemysle celulozowo-papierniczym.

The results of various epidemiological research indicate that workers in the pulp and paper industry have an increased risk of developing and dying of malignant cancer with a specific location. The paper discusses recent studies in the area. The findings point to an increased risk of stomach cancer in workers occupationally exposed to pulp produced in the sulfite process. Workers making paper and cardboard are especially at risk for lung cancer. Some researchers signal a higher risk of lymphatic system cancer and stoma cancer. On the basis of existing data on exposure in the pulp and paper industry, it is impossible to determine the exact effects of exposure to a given compound or chemical. Assessment of exposure at particular work areas and analysis of data using the job exposure matrix is necessary. This should provide more information about cancerogenic compounds in the pulp and paper industry.

Hygienic characteristics of carbon black used in tyre production.

Seven types of carbon black used in type production were subjected to hygienic evaluation. The coal tar pitch volatiles (CTPVs), toluene solubles, were determined by the gravimetric method and benzo/a/pyrene by HPLC with a spectrophotometric detector. Toluene solubles were found to amount to 0.12-0.25% (by weight). Benzo/a/pyrene (1.44-3.07 ppm) was detected in five out of the seven carbon blacks examined.

[Principles of air sampling and interpretation of its results in evaluating occupational exposure to toxic substances in the work area. II. Stationary measurements]. / Zasady pobierania próbek powietrza i interpretacji wyników w ocenie narazenia zawodowego na substancje toksyczne w srodowisku pracy. II. Pomiary stacjonarne.

The paper presents the principles of performing stationary measurements for the assessment of occupational exposure to toxic substances. A classification of work-stands was introduced according to the length of time spent at them. The strategy of measurements was adapted to the type of a given work-stand. The interpretation of measurement results was based on the exposure factors, relevant for a specific work-stand. Also, the principles of air sampling and of the interpretation of the results of the evaluation of instantaneous and threshold concentrations are discussed.

[Evaluation of occupational exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PER) in a dry cleaning business]. / Ocena narazenia zawodowego na czterochloroetylen (PER) w pralniach chemicznych.

In eleven chemical laundries, occupational exposure to perchloroethylene (PER) has been evaluated. The examinations have been carried out with the personal dosimetry technique and involved 99 workers, performing different occupational tasks. Exposure of a magnitude varying with particular occupational groups have been indicated by 253 personal measurements taken. Most exposed to PER have been machine set operators and maintenance technicians. Time-weighted average (8h) concentrations of PER in the breathing zone were, on average, 142 mg/m3 in the machine set operators and 91.8 mg/m3 in maintenance technicians groups.

[Usefulness of passive dosimeters of carbon disulfide made in the East Germany for evaluating individual occupational exposure to this compound]. / Ocena przydatnosci pasywnych dozymetrów dwusiarczku wegla produkcji NRD do oceny indywidualnego narazenia zawodowego na ten zwiazek.

To evaluate the usefulness of passive reactive dosimeters for the determination of individual exposure to carbon disulphide, field studies in viscose plants in Poland and East Germany have been carried out. Totally, 43 workers have been examined, using active charcoal pipes joined with personal samplers as a reference air sampling method. The results of measurements point to a statistically significant difference between passive dosimeters findings and exposure evaluation by the reference method. The 1.5-2.2 times lower results indicate too little usefulness of passive dosimeters made in East Germany as a quantitative method of evaluating occupational exposure to carbon disulphide in Polish viscose plants.

[Determining sexivalent chromium compounds in the air]. / Oznaczenia zwiazków chromu szesciowartosciowego w powietrzu.

Within the studies, three methodological versions of the determination of VI chromium with diphenylcarbazide have been evaluated. The versions differed primarily by the technique of elution (acid, alkaline) of the chromium sample from the filter. As optimum conditions for determining Cr VI in the presence of Cr III and Fe III, the parameters adopted by Carelli have been determined, some modifications being made consisting in improving and simplifying the analytical procedures, as well as making them more precise, and in the use of available materials.

[Evaluation of occupational exposure to cadmium based on analysis of air in the work area. II. Cadmium oxide levels in the air of work areas during cadmium production in a non-ferrous metal foundry]. / Ocena narazenia zawodowego na kadm na podstawie analizy powietrza w srodowisku pracy. CZ. II. Stezenia tlenku kadmu w powietrzu stanowisk pracy produkcji kadmu w hucie metali niezelaznych.

By stationary measurements the levels of cadmium oxide aerosols concentrations in air at particular workplaces related to cadmium production at non-ferrous metals mill have been determined. High concentrations of that compound have been found at such technological operations as unloading of cadmium-bearing raw materials, batching of cadmium sponge in the induction furnace and casting of fused cadmium into moulds. With the personal dosimetry technique, concentrations of that compound in the workers' breathing zone have been determined. Those were within 0.16-1.84 mg/m3, so--above the TLV values. However, those concentrations do not necessarily reflect the occupational exposure magnitude, as the workers had respirators.

[Evaluation of occupational exposure to cadmium based on air analysis of the work area. I. Cadmium oxide level in the air of work areas in a cadmium and nickel cumulator factory]. / Ocena narazenia zawodowego na kadm na podstawie analizy powietrza w srodowisku pracy. Cz. I. Stezenia tlenku kadmu w powietrzu stanowisk pracy w wytworni akumulatorów kadmowo-niklowych.

Results of evaluation of occupational exposure carried on by individual dosimetry and stationary measurements were compared. The former method yielded higher values for airborne cadmium concentrations. The investigations exhibited high cadmium oxide dust concentrations at most workplaces within the alkaline accumulator plant. Time-weighted average (per 8 h) concentrations of this compound in the workers' breathing zone ranged between 0.040-1.5 mg/m3, 85% of the obtained results exceeding the TLV value (0.1 mg Cd/m3).

[Reduction of health risk factors in workers exposed to carbon disulfide]. / W sprawie zmniejszenia zagrozenia zdrowia pracowników eksponowanych na dwusiarczek wegla (CS2).

The results of all the efforts made so far towards the reduction of CS2 concentrations at the workplaces of viscose rayon industry indicate that achievement of safe standards is little probable in the nearest future. Likewise, the preventive activities aimed at the reduction of the daily working time from 8 to 6 hours and referring workers to work with no exposure for several months are hardly effective. Basing on the results of clinical and epidemiological studies of the CS2 exposed population and relevant control groups the authors indicate their own solutions of decreasing the health risk. Pursuant to this suggestion the total time of work in exposure should not exceed 15 years and would be interrupted by so called periods of "health regeneration", consisting in the transfer to the production with no CS2 exposure for one year. This rotational system would apply to all those employed for over five years under CS2 concentrations exceeding the hygienic standards.

[Gas-chromatographic determination of methyl-isobutyl ketone, methyl-isobutyl carbinol, acetone, toluene and o-xylene vapors in the air]. / Oznaczanie w powietrzu par ketonu metyloizobutylowego, metyloizobutylokarbinolu, acetonu, toluenu i o-ksylenu metoda chromatografii gazowej.

A gas chromatographic method of determination of methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl isobutyl carbinol, acetone, toluene and o-xylene has been elaborated. Those compounds have been best separated on the column containing 10% Carbowax 20 M on Chromosorb W. Air samples were collected by passing the examined air through charcoal tubes and by consequent desorption of adsorbed compounds with carbon disulfide. Activated charcoal used in tests has been found to adsorb (by weight) 15% of the determined solvents.

[Method of determination of ammonia in the air]. / Metoda oznaczania amoniaku w powietrzu.

The method for determination of ammonia in the air that has been used so far, based on the reaction with Nessler reagent, is outdated. In this method the final colour solutions are not non-ideal solution (there occurs turbidity), which may result in smaller accuracy of determination. Besides this method is not sufficiently specific. A newly-worked out method for determining ammonia in the air is based on spectrophotometric measurement of the green product of ammonium ions reaction with sodium hypochlorite and sodium salicylate. This method is more sensitive, precise and specific than the method for determination with Nessler reagent.