Abstract No:
1691
Abstract Type:
Student Poster
Authors:
A DeVaughn1, K Almberg1, Y Shao1
Institutions:
1UIC, Chicago, IL
Presenter:
Alissa DeVaughn
UIC
Faculty Advisor(s):
Kirsten Almberg
UIC
Yuan Shao
UIC
Description:
Engineered stone (ES) countertops continue to rise in their popularity but pose an increased risk of silicosis for fabricators due to high respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure during cutting, grinding, and polishing. This study characterizes personal RCS exposures, dust composition, and particle size distributions among ES fabricators in Chicago to inform urgently needed controls and regulatory actions.
Situation/Problem:
ES countertops that are silica-based, like quartz, contain significantly higher crystalline silica content than the natural silica-based stone countertop materials like granite. In response to the global silicosis epidemic observed in this industry, some localities have taken steps to reduce ES exposure through stricter local standards, but there are few analyses on personal RCS exposures among ES fabricators in the US that also describe dust characteristics. This study sought to evaluate whether ES fabricators in Chicago experience RCS exposures exceeding occupational exposure limits and to characterize the elemental composition and physical properties of ES dust that may contribute to elevated respiratory disease risk.
Methods:
We recruited eight ES fabrication workers from two workshops in Chicago for this study. We measured personal breathing zone RCS time weighted average exposures using the NIOSH 7500 method while workers performed their work, including cutting, grinding, and polishing tasks. We collected bulk samples during site visits and analyzed them using X ray fluorescence to quantify silica and other elemental compositions. We employed real time instruments (DustTrak DRX Aerosol Monitor 8530, OPS 3330, Naneos Partector 2 Aerosol Dosimeter) to measure particulate matter concentrations, particle size distributions, and ambient conditions during work shifts. We recorded worker activities during sampling, as well. In addition to exposure samples, we administered a questionnaire to each workshop owner to ascertain production information. Despite a relatively small sample size, our study methods included direct personal sampling and integrated real time characterization of dust emissions.
Results / Conclusions:
Workers were overexposed to RCS even while performing wet cutting tasks, with seven personal samples (78%) exceeding the 50 μg/m³ OSHA 8-hour time weighted average for occupational exposures. The average RCS concentrations for all workers ranged from 11 to 203 μg/m3. ES dust showed very high silicon dioxide content (56% – 95%) compared with typical natural stone (30%), with 90% of particles emitted using hand powered tool were of fraction sizes less than 2.5 μm. Respiratory protection was not observed during visits. These findings highlight several of risk factors to this industry: elevated RCS concentrations, very high silica content, and a high prevalence of fine particles. This study emphasizes the critical need for improvements in regulatory and protective measures for ES workers.
Core Competencies:
Indoor Air Quality
Secondary Core Competencies:
Chemical Sampling and Instrumental Analysis
Exposure Assessment
Choose at least one (1), and up to five, (5) keywords from the following list. These selections will optimize your presentation's search results for attendees.
Aerosol and airborne particulate monitoring
Asbestos, lead, and dust
Exposure Assessment
Real-time detection services and direct reading instruments
Respiratory Protection
Based on the information that will be presented during your proposed session, please indicate the targeted audience practice level: (select one)
Professional: Professional is a job title given to persons who have obtained a baccalaureate or graduate degree in IH/OH, public health, safety, environmental sciences, biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering or who have a degree in another area that meets the standards set forth in the next section, Knowledge and Skill Sets of IH/OH Practice Levels, and has had 4 or more years of practice. One significant way of demonstrating professional competence is to achieve certification by a 3rd party whose certification scheme is recognized by the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) such as the Board of Global EHS Credentialing (BGC).
Was this session organized by an AIHA Technical Committee, Special Interest Group, Working Group, Advisory Group or other AIHA project Team?
No
Are worker exposure data and/or results of worker exposure data analysis presented?
Yes
If yes, i.e., If worker exposure data and/or results of worker exposure data analysis are to be presented please describe the statistical methods and tools (e.g. IHSTAT, Expostats, IHSTAT_Bayes, IHDA-AIHA, or other statistical tool, please specify) used for analysis of the data.
Respirable crystalline silica was assessed using the NIOSH 7500 method. All data were analyzed using Excel.
How will this help advance the science of IH/OH?
This study provides the first field exposure data on respirable crystalline silica from engineered stone fabricators in Chicago, filing a regional gap as silicosis case continue to rise. These data offers insights into workplace practices, highlights exposure risk by identifying overexposures, quantifies the elemental composition and characterizes the physical properties of engineered stone dust.
Have you presented this information before?
Yes
For each type of submission:
Please Check All That Apply
Another conference: (please list conference name and year)
-
IndoorAir Conference 2024
I have read and agree to these guidelines.
Yes