Exposure Monitoring Strategies for Applying Low-Cost PM Sensors to Assess Flour Dust in Industrial Bakeries.

Low-cost particulate matter (PM) sensors provide new methods for monitoring occupational exposure to hazardous substances, such as flour dust. These devices have many possible benefits, but much remains unknown about their performance for different exposure monitoring strategies in the workplace. We explored the performance of PM sensors for four different monitoring strategies (time-weighted average and high time resolution, each quantitative and semi-quantitative) for assessing occupational exposure using low-cost PM sensors in a field study in the industrial bakery sector.

Response Letter to Koivisto et al. 'Evaluating the Theoretical Background of STOFFENMANAGER® and the Advanced REACH Tool'.

In this article, we have responded to the key statements in the article by Koivisto et al. (2022) that were incorrect and considered to be a biased critique on a subset of the exposure models used in Europe (i.e.

The Dermal Advanced REACH Tool (dART): A Bayesian Model for Dermal Exposure Assessment.

The dermal Advanced REACH Tool (dART) is a tier 2 exposure model for estimating dermal exposure to the hands (mg min-1) for non-volatile liquid and solid-in-liquid products. The dART builds upon the existing ART framework and describes three mass transport processes (deposition (Dhands), direct emission and direct contact (Ehands), and contact transfer (Thands)) that may each contribute to dermal exposure. The mechanistic model that underpins the dART and calibration of the mechanistic model, such that the dimensionless score that results from encoding contextual information about a task into the determinants of the dART can be converted into a prediction of exposure (mg min-1), have been described in previous work.

Exploring Evaluation Variables for Low-Cost Particulate Matter Monitors to Assess Occupational Exposure.

(1) Background: Small, lightweight, low-cost optical particulate matter (PM) monitors are becoming popular in the field of occupational exposure monitoring, because these devices allow for real-time static measurements to be collected at multiple locations throughout a work site as well as being used as wearables providing personal exposure estimates. Prior to deployment, devices should be evaluated to optimize and quantify measurement accuracy. However, this can turn out to be difficult, as no standardized methods are yet available and different deployments may require different evaluation procedures.

Parent-identified strengths of autistic youth.

Autism is a condition frequently characterized by social and communication challenges. Because most research focuses on understanding and reducing challenges, less is known about the strengths of autistic individuals. This is especially true of those who are transitioning into adulthood.

Calibration of the Dermal Advanced REACH Tool (dART) Mechanistic Model.

The dermal Advanced REACH Tool (dART) is a Tier 2 exposure modelling tool currently in development for estimating dermal exposure to the hands (mg min-1) for non-volatile liquid and solids-in-liquid products. The dART builds upon the existing ART framework and describes three mass transport processes [deposition (Dhands), direct emission and direct contact (Ehands), and contact transfer (Thands)] that may each contribute to dermal exposure. The mechanistic model that underpins the dART and its applicability domain has already been described in previous work.

Dermal Advanced REACH Tool (dART)-Development of a Dermal Exposure Model for Low-Volatile Liquids.

This article describes the development of a mechanistic model for underpinning the dermal Advanced REACH Tool (dART), an extension of the existing ART model and its software platform. It was developed for hand exposure to low volatile liquids (vapour pressure ≤ 10 Pa at 20°C) including solids-in-liquid products. The model is based on an existing conceptual dermal source-receptor model that has been integrated into the ART framework.

A microsimulation model for the development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that is thought to affect over one million people in Great Britain. The main factor contributing to the development of COPD is tobacco smoke. This paper presents a microsimulation model for the development of COPD, incorporating population dynamics and trends in smoking.

Inter- and intra-individual variation in urinary biomarker concentrations over a 6-day sampling period. Part 1: metals.

The aim of the current HBM-study is to further the understanding of the impact of inter- and intra-individual variability in HBM surveys as it may have implications for the design and interpretation of the study outcomes. As spot samples only provide a snapshot in time of the concentrations of chemicals in an individual, it remains unclear to what extent intra-individual variability plays a role in the overall variability of population-wide HBM surveys. The current paper describes the results of an intensive biomonitoring study, in which all individual urine samples of 8 individuals were collected over a 6-day sampling period (a total of 352 unique samples).

Advanced REACH Tool (ART): overview of version 1.0 and research needs.

This paper provides an outline of the Advanced REACH Tool (ART) version 1.0 and a discussion of how it could be further developed. ART is a higher tier exposure assessment tool that combines mechanistically modelled inhalation exposure predictions with available exposure data using a Bayesian approach.

Advanced Reach Tool (ART): development of the mechanistic model.

This paper describes the development of the mechanistic model within a collaborative project, referred to as the Advanced REACH Tool (ART) project, to develop a tool to model inhalation exposure for workers sharing similar operational conditions across different industries and locations in Europe. The ART mechanistic model is based on a conceptual framework that adopts a source receptor approach, which describes the transport of a contaminant from the source to the receptor and defines seven independent principal modifying factors: substance emission potential, activity emission potential, localized controls, segregation, personal enclosure, surface contamination, and dispersion. ART currently differentiates between three different exposure types: vapours, mists, and dust (fumes, fibres, and gases are presently excluded).

Classification of occupational activities for assessment of inhalation exposure.

There is a large variety of activities in workplaces that can lead to emission of substances. Coding systems based on determinants of emission have so far not been developed. In this paper, a system of Activity Classes and Activity Subclasses is proposed for categorizing activities involving chemical use.

What is the best strategy to reduce the burden of occupational asthma and allergy in bakers?

Rationale: Insight into the effectiveness of intervention strategies will help realise a decrease in the occupational disease burden from (allergic) respiratory diseases in the bakery population.

Objectives: To use a simulation model to assess the impact of different intervention strategies on the disease burden of the bakery population over time.

Methods: A recently developed dynamic population based model was used to prospectively evaluate the impact on disease burden resulting from different intervention strategies.

Variability of biomarkers in volunteer studies: The biological component.

Biological monitoring has become one of the methods to measure exposure, with the advantage that it gives information about the concentration of a substance that actually enters the body and reflects the inter-individual differences in uptake and metabolic variation. However, limited information is available on inter- and intra-individual variability of biomarkers. The aim of this study was to gather information about the biological component of inter-individual variation in biomarkers using results from volunteer studies.

Conceptual model for assessment of inhalation exposure: defining modifying factors.

The present paper proposes a source-receptor model to schematically describe inhalation exposure to help understand the complex processes leading to inhalation of hazardous substances. The model considers a stepwise transfer of a contaminant from the source to the receptor. The conceptual model is constructed using three components, i.

"Doing the heavy lifting: health care workers take back their backs".

Health care workers have the highest musculoskeletal disorder prevalence and incidence of any occupational/industry group, and patient handling tasks are so biomechanically demanding that they cannot be made safe through the commonly used, technique-oriented methods such as "back school" training programs. Although there is standard-setting activity for "no-lift" programs in some states, there is still no federal standard. Health care worker unions and nurses' associations have begun to take action through training members in equipment need, use, and acceptance in programs to encourage adoption of no-lifting programs.

Tools for regulatory assessment of occupational exposure: development and challenges.

REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of CHemicals) requires improved exposure models that can be incorporated into screening tools and refined assessment tools. These are referred to as tier 1 and 2 models, respectively. There are a number of candidate in tier 1 models that could be used with REACH.

Correlation of haemoglobin-acrylamide adducts with airborne exposure: an occupational survey.

This paper reports an occupational hygiene survey of exposure to acrylamide comparing acrylamide haemoglobin adduct measurements with personal air monitoring and glove liner analysis. The air monitoring data showed that exposure to acrylamide was well-controlled with all samples below the UK maximum exposure limit (MEL) of 300 microg/m(3) with mean exposure about one tenth of the MEL. Each worker provided two blood samples approximately 3 months apart.

Violence in healthcare facilities: lessons from the Veterans Health Administration.

Goals: The authors examined assault frequency and risk factors in health care.

Methods: The authors conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey in 142 hospitals. Analyses are presented at the level of the individual and aggregated by facility.

Vibration exposure and disease in a shipyard: a 13-year revisit.

Background: In a 1988 study of shipyard workers, a progressive association was observed between cumulative exposure to vibration and the vascular and neurological symptoms of the hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). In 2001, after a decade of exposure reduction and ageing of the workforce, a second study at the same site was initiated.

Methods: In 2001, 214 subjects were selected; they represented four current weekly vibration exposure time intervals--0 hr, >0 < 5 hr, > or =5 < 20 hr, > or =20 hr.

Prevalence and reporting of occupational illness by company size: population trends and regulatory implications.

Background: Reports of occupational disease using the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)/OSHA survey have shown increasing rates with larger establishment size. The literature is divided on whether this pattern is an artifact of under-reporting in smaller businesses or is the result of differences in underlying risk factors.

Methods: A population-based survey [the Connecticut Upper-Extremity Surveillance Project (CUSP)] assessing prevalence of likely work related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in CT, coded by establishment size, is compared to CT MSD incidence rates based on the BLS/OSHA survey.