Airborne bacteria and fungi associated with waste-handling work.

Background: Municipal workers handling household waste are potentially exposed to a variety of toxic and pathogenic substances, in particular airborne bacteria, gram-negative bacteria (GNB), and fungi. However, relatively little is known about the conditions under which exposure is facilitated.

Methods: This study assessed levels of airborne bacteria, GNB, and fungi, and examined these in relation to the type of waste-handling activity (collection, transfer, transport, and sorting at the waste preprocessing plant), as well as a variety of other environmental and occupational factors.

Evaluation of workers exposed to ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate.

Objectives: Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) and ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (EGMEA) are widely used in industries as solvents for coatings, paint and ink, but exposure data are limited because they are minor components out of mixed solvents, as well as because of inconsistency in desorption solvent use. The objective of this study was to investigate the worker exposure profile of EGME and EGMEA.

Methods: Our study investigated 27 workplaces from June to September 2008 and detected EGME and EGMEA in 20 and 13, respectively.

Effects of socioeconomic factors and human activities on children's PM(10) exposure in inner-city households in Korea.

Purpose: In this study, we investigated how socioeconomic factors contributed to airborne PM(10) concentrations in living rooms and children's bedrooms in 50 homes in Korea from July to September 2008.

Methods: PM(10) was measured with the personal environmental monitor, and both a questionnaire and time activity diary were used to acquire data on socioeconomic factors and various human activities (i.e.

Socioeconomic and personal behavioral factors affecting children's exposure to VOCs in urban areas in Korea.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are known to cause adverse health effects. We investigated the relationships between children's VOC exposure and socioeconomic and human activity factors with passive personal samplers, questionnaires, and time-activity diaries (TAD). Statistical analyses were conducted using SAS 9.