Characterization of particleboard aerosol--size distribution and formaldehyde content.

Health hazards unique to particleboard include the generation of urea-formaldehyde resin bound in wood aerosol and release of formaldehyde gas that can be inhaled by the worker. A particleboard aerosol was generated by a sanding process and collected under laboratory conditions that determined the particle size distribution and formaldehyde content. Three side-by-side Marple 296 personal cascade impactors with midget impingers attached downstream collected particleboard aerosol and gaseous formaldehyde for ten sample runs. Gravimetric analysis quantified the collected aerosol mass, and chromotropic acid/spectrophotometric analytical methods were employed for formaldehyde content in particleboard aerosol and gaseous formaldehyde liberated from sanded particleboard. Significant variations (p less than .005) were observed for the particleboard mass and gaseous formaldehyde collected between sample runs. No significant differences (alpha = .05) were observed for the aerosol size distribution determined and formaldehyde content in particleboard aerosol per unit mass for sampling trials. The overall MMAD of particleboard aerosol was 8.26 microns AED with a sigma g of 2.01. A predictive model was derived for determining the expected formaldehyde content (microgram) by particleboard aerosol mass (mg) collected and particulate size (micron AED).

Health effects among refrigeration repair workers exposed to fluorocarbons.

Refrigeration repair workers may be intermittently exposed to fluorocarbons and their thermal decomposition products. A case of peripheral neuropathy (distal axonopathy) in a commercial refrigeration repairman prompted an epidemiological investigation of the health of refrigeration repair workers. No additional cases of peripheral neuropathy were identified among the 27 refrigeration repair workers studied. A reference group of 14 non-refrigeration repair workers was also studied. No differences were noted between groups for the ulnar (motor and sensory), median (motor and sensory), peroneal, sural, or tibial nerve conduction velocities. Refrigeration repair workers reported palpitations and lightheadedness significantly more often than workers in the reference group. No clinical neurological or electroneurophysiological abnormalities were detected in eight refrigeration repair workers followed up for three years during continuous employment.

Waste anesthetic gas and vapor exposures in veterinary hospitals and clinics.

A survey of veterinary hospitals and clinics was conducted to determine the extent of usage of inhalation anesthetics and measure exposures of veterinarians and their assistants to waste anesthetic gases and vapors. A questionnaire survey indicated 80.8 percent of practices in the study area used inhalation of anesthetics, with a wide range noted between types of practices. Exposures to waste anesthetics were less in veterinary hospitals than reported in human hospitals. Mean methoxyflurane concentrations were 1.9 ppm and 1.7 ppm in breathing zones of small animal veterinarians and animal technicians, respectively. Waste methoxyflurane concentrations were significantly affected by size of patient, type of breathing system, and use of scavenging systems. Dilution ventilation had no significant effect on breathing zone concentrations of waste methoxyflurane.