Performance of Asbestos Enclosure Ventilation: Laboratory Evaluation of Complex Configuration.

The aim of the study was to find out good practices for effective air distribution inside a complex shaped asbestos enclosure and for control of pressure differences between the enclosure and the surroundings. In addition, sufficient pressure difference for asbestos containment was tested. The effect of air distribution was studied in laboratory conditions by constructing an L-shaped asbestos enclosure and connecting it to a negative pressure unit.

Control of Dust Dispersion From an Enclosed Renovation Site Into Adjacent Areas by Using Local Exhaust Ventilation.

Objective: In real-world applications, implementation of an enclosure and negative pressurization is not always adequate to prevent the dispersion of dust from renovation sites. This study aimed to quantify the effect of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) in controlling the dust concentration within an enclosed renovation site to reduce the dust dispersion into adjacent areas.

Methods: The concentrations of inhalable and respirable dust were measured in 16 cases during renovation projects.

Exposure to Quartz in Finnish Workplaces Declined during the First Six Years after the Signing of the NEPSI Agreement, but Evened out between 2013 and 2017.

To reduce the incidence of occupational diseases related to exposure to respirable silica at work, the main industries in the EU associated with respirable silica agreed on measures to improve working conditions through the application of good practices. These practices were included in “The Agreement on Workers Health Protection through the Good Handling and Use of Crystalline Silica and Products Containing it” (NEPSI agreement), signed in April 2006. In Finland, we have previously seen a decline in exposure to respirable quartz in relevant industries upon the treaty coming into effect, during the years 2006⁻2013.

Evaluation of Real-World Implementation of Partitioning and Negative Pressurization for Preventing the Dispersion of Dust From Renovation Sites.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the implementation of partitioning and the negative pressure method in limiting the dispersion of dust to areas adjacent to renovation sites.

Methods: The pressure difference between the worksites and adjacent areas and PM10 concentrations in the both zones were measured in 12 renovation sites, and the factors affecting the prevention of dispersion of dust were assessed.

Results: Poor implementation of partitioning and negative pressurization found in half of the renovation sites lead difficulties in achieving a proper negative pressure, causing dispersion of dust into adjacent areas.

Pulmonary inflammation in foundry workers.

Objective: To assess whether cumulative dust exposure in foundry work is associated with airway inflammation measured by the analysis of fractionated exhaled nitric oxide (NO) concentration, or by inflammatory markers in exhaled breath condensate or serum.

Methods: We examined 476 dust-exposed and nonexposed foundry workers, and assessed the individual cumulative exposure to dusts and respirable quartz. Bronchial and alveolar NO production and inflammatory markers in exhaled breath condensate and in serum samples were also analyzed.