NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

A task-specific assessment of swine worker exposure to airborne dust.

O'Shaughnessy PT; Donham KJ; Peters TM; Taylor C; Altmaier R; Kelly KM

J Occup Environ Hyg 2010 Jan; 7(1):7-13

https://doi.org/10.1080/15459620903327970

20036309

A task-based analysis of personal airborne dust exposures was performed in two swine confinement facilities used to house sows and their litters. Airborne particulate levels were assessed during summer, winter, and spring. Personal aerosol measurements of workers were made with a photometer every 15 sec and corrected to compare with an integrated concentration measurement made with a co-located IOM inhalable dust sampler. Task type and time period were recorded by the workers over an 8-hr work shift. There was a significant difference in dust concentrations between seasons (p < 0.001), with winter months providing the highest levels (geometric mean = 3.76 mg/m(3)). The application of a general linear model of log-transformed task concentrations relative to site, season, and task demonstrated significant differences (P < 0.001) among all three covariates. Tasks performed near moving animals, especially the weaning process, resulted in the greatest concentrations. These results indicate the need to evaluate the concentration levels for separate tasks during multi-task work shifts, such as swine rearing, to optimize efforts to minimize exposures by focusing on high-concentration tasks.

Aerosol particles; Agricultural industry; Agricultural processes; Agricultural workers; Agriculture; Airborne dusts; Airborne particles; Animal husbandry workers; Animals; Exposure assessment; Exposure levels; Exposure methods; Farmers; Inhalation studies; Mathematical models; Qualitative analysis; Sampling; Sampling methods; Statistical analysis; Work environment; Worker health; Work performance; Workplace monitoring Workplace studies; Work practices; Author Keywords: aerosol photometers; agricultural production; task-based analysis

Patrick O'Shaughnessy, The University of Iowa, Occupational and Environmental Health, 100 Oakdale Campus, 137 IREH, Iowa City, IA 52242

JOEHA2

20100101

Journal Article

patrick-oshaughnessy@uiowa.edu

Cooperative Agreement; Grant

2010

Cooperative-Agreement-Number-U50-OH-007548; Grant-Number-T42-OH-008491

1

1545-9624

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

NE; IA

University of Iowa, Iowa City