Trends in Exposure to Respirable Dust and Respirable Crystalline Silica Among Lithium Mine Workers in Western Australia.

Background: Exposure to respirable dust (RES) and respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is common in mining operations and is associated with health effects such as pneumoconiosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, silicosis, lung cancer, and renal disease.

Methods: This study used industry occupational exposure data for respirable dust from two surface lithium mines in Western Australia for the period between 2017 and 2023. A total of 1122 samples were collected in workgroups across four departments - administration and support, mining, crushing and processing, and maintenance.

Exposure to dust and respiratory health among Australian miners.

Purpose: Occupational exposure to dust has been recognised as a significant health hazard to mine workers. This study aimed to investigate the association between exposure to inhalable (INH) and respirable (RES) dust and respiratory health among mine workers in Western Australia using an industry-wide exposure database.

Methods: The database comprised cross-sectional surveys conducted by mining companies for the period 2001-2012.

Case Report: Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica and Respiratory Health Among Australian Mine Workers.

Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is common in a range of industries, including mining, and has been associated with adverse health effects such as silicosis, lung cancer, and non-malignant respiratory diseases. This study used a large population database of 6,563 mine workers from Western Australia who were examined for personal exposure to RCS between 2001 and 2012. A standardized respiratory questionnaire was also administered to collect information related to their respiratory health.

The Association between Exposure to Residential Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds and Measures of Central Arterial Stiffness in Healthy Middle-Aged Men and Women.

It is well reported that individuals spend up to 90% of their daily time indoors, with between 60% to 90% of this time being spent in the home. Using a cross-sectional study design in a population of 111 healthy adults (mean age: 52.3 ± 9.

Case Report: Occupational Dust Exposure Among Bakery Workers in Perth, Western Australia.

Occupational dust exposure can occur in various settings, including bakeries. A case study was conducted in an industrial bakery in Perth, Western Australia, to assess exposure to particulate dust concentration. The factory was separated into three production zones and an office area which represented as a control zone.

Trends in Exposure to Diesel Particulate Matter and Prevalence of Respiratory Symptoms in Western Australian Miners.

Diesel-powered equipment is used frequently in the mining industry. They are energetically more efficient and emit lower quantities of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide than the gasoline equipment. However, diesel engines release more diesel particulate matter (DPM) during the combustion process which has been linked to harmful health effects.

Reducing car idling at primary schools: An intervention study of parent behaviour change in Perth, Western Australia.

Issued Addressed: There is increasing evidence that exposure to traffic-related air pollution is related to childhood respiratory symptoms. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of an anti-idling behavioural intervention targeting parents at primary schools.

Methods: Based on two focus group discussions with parents, a low-intensity 4-week anti-idling intervention was developed, comprising onsite signage, four newsletters, and two fact sheets.

Agricultural Dust Exposures and Health and Safety Practices among Western Australian Wheatbelt Farmers during Harvest.

Background: Agricultural farmworkers are routinely exposed to high levels of airborne dust particles that have been linked to adverse health outcomes.

Methods: This study measured personal and environmental exposures to dust particulates by farmworkers during harvesting activities. Farmers completed a workplace survey with regards to their health and safety awareness and practices and researchers observed general farm safety practices on selected farms using a checklist.

Associations Between Sub-Clinical Markers of Cardiometabolic Risk and Exposure to Residential Indoor Air Pollutants in Healthy Adults in Perth, Western Australia: A Study Protocol.

Background: A growing body of epidemiological and clinical evidence has implicated air pollution as an emerging risk factor for cardiometabolic disease. Whilst individuals spend up to two-thirds of daily time in their domestic residential environment, very few studies have been designed to objectively measure the sub-clinical markers of cardiometabolic risk with exposure to domestic indoor air pollutants. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate associations between the components of domestic indoor air quality and selected sub-clinical cardiometabolic risk factors in a cohort of healthy adults living in Perth, Western Australia.

Noise Exposure on Mixed Grain and Livestock Farms in Western Australia.

Noise presents an ongoing occupational health and safety issue, which despite numerous studies still presents a significant risk in agriculture with high exposures prevalent. In this study, we measured noise exposures associated with significant activities on 42 mixed grain and livestock farms in Western Australia. Employing a mixture of personal noise measurements using dosimeters, noise measurements using sound level meters, and a validated survey, we identified that 32% of farm workers were exposed to noise levels above the LAeq,8h 85 dB(A) limit, before considering extended shifts.

The Association between Indoor Air Quality and Adult Blood Pressure Levels in a High-Income Setting.

Indoor air pollution is still considered one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We aimed to investigate the potential association between indoor particulate matter (PM) and fasting clinic blood pressure in adult Australians. Sixty-three participants residing within the Perth metropolitan area were studied.

Occupational exposures to agricultural dust by Western Australian wheat-belt farmers during seeding operations.

Agricultural operations routinely expose farm workers to high levels of soil dust and other airborne particulate matter that have been linked to adverse health outcomes. The main objective of this study was to investigate exposure to agricultural dust during seeding operations of Western Australian farm workers. Twenty-one wheat-belt farms were recruited to participate in the study.

Behavioral interventions to reduce nickel exposure in a nickel processing plant.

Nickel is a widely-used material in many industries. Although there is enough evidence that occupational exposure to nickel may cause respiratory illnesses, allergies, and even cancer, it is not possible to stop the use of nickel in occupational settings. Nickel exposure, however, can be controlled and reduced significantly in workplaces.

Health Risk Assessment of Indoor Air Quality, Socioeconomic and House Characteristics on Respiratory Health among Women and Children of Tirupur, South India.

Indoor air pollution is still considered as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and especially in developing countries, including India. This study aims to assess social, housing, and indoor environmental factors associated with respiratory health among mothers and children. The study was conducted in the city of Tirupur, South India.

Impacts of household coal and biomass combustion on indoor and ambient air quality in China: Current status and implication.

This review briefly introduces current status of indoor and ambient air pollution originating from household coal and biomass combustion in mainland China. Owing to low combustion efficiency, emissions of CO, PM, black carbon (BC), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have significant adverse consequences for indoor and ambient air qualities, resulting in relative contributions of more than one-third in all anthropogenic emissions. Their contributions are higher in less economically developed regions, such as Guizhou (61% PM, 80% BC), than that in more developed regions, such as Shanghai (4% PM, 17% BC).

Health impact assessment: improving its effectiveness in the enhancement of health and well-being.

Most countries in the world have Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes and procedures to evaluate the potential impact of development projects on the environment. This process, which attempts to predict the potential adverse effects of the proposed development project on the environment, is normally legislated and is part of the approval process for the project. Although these processes have been effective in reducing the adverse impacts on the environment they have been limited in their ability to provide protection for the health and well-being of people affected by the development.

The effect of diesel exhaust exposure on blood-brain barrier integrity and function in a murine model.

Epidemiological studies indicate that exposure to diesel exhaust (DE) is associated with vascular-based disorders. To investigate the effect of DE on blood-brain barrier (BBB) function and integrity, 8-week-old BALB/c mice were randomized to DE in a cyclical treatment regimen over a 2-week period. Functional integrity of BBB was determined by considering brain parenchymal abundance of IgG within the hippocampal formation and cortex at 6 h and 24 h intervals following final exposure treatment.

The domestic environment and respiratory health of school children in Zongshan, China.

There have been many reports on the adverse impacts of exposures to particulate matter in the air but relatively few of these have been related to exposures to ultrafine particles (UFP) in the indoor environment. To investigate exposures to (UFP) in domestic environments, and the association with childhood respiratory symptoms in Zongshan, China a modified Thoracic Society questionnaire was completed by 359 households with children. Air quality monitoring took place in 37 households using a P-Trak instrument to determine concentration of UFPs in rooms.

Climate change and air quality: the potential impact on health.

The objectives of the study were to: consider the potential health impacts in Australia and the region arising from changes in air quality occurring as a result of climate change, identify vulnerable groups and potential adaptation measures and discuss the implications for policy. The authors provide an overview of international and national information on the potential health impacts of air pollutants that would most likely be affected by climate change and a discussion of the policy implications. Climate change is likely to have an impact on levels of ozone and possibly particulates, both of which are associated with increased mortality and a range of respiratory and cardiovascular health effects.

Volatile organic compounds: do they present a risk to our health?

Indoor air quality has been recognised as a significant health, environment, and economic issue in many countries. Research findings have demonstrated that some air pollutants occur more frequently and at a higher concentration in indoor air than in outdoor air, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In this context, the indoor environment can be of crucial importance because modem society spends most of their time indoors, and exposure to VOCs may result in a spectrum of illnesses ranging from mild, such as irritation, to very severe effects, including cancer.

Household hygiene practices in relation to dampness at home and current wheezing and rhino-conjunctivitis among school age children.

Good household hygiene practices may improve indoor air quality in the domestic environment. Conversely, a 'hygiene hypothesis' is challenging the importance of hygiene and sanitation at home. This study aims to investigate the relationship between household hygiene practices and dampness at home and current wheezing, asthma and other allergic conditions among Australian children.

Snoring in primary school children and domestic environment: a Perth school based study.

Background: The home is the predominant environment for exposure to many environmental irritants such as air pollutants and allergens. Exposure to common indoor irritants including volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde and nitrogen dioxide, may increase the risk of snoring for children. The aim of this study was to investigate domestic environmental factors associated with snoring in children.