Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica at an underground copper mine in Zambia.

Introduction: Overexposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) can lead to the development of silicosis and other respiratory diseases. The mine under study was reported to have the highest number of certified cases of pneumoconiosis in Zambia in 2015, and in 2008, a study revealed that 56% of the RCS samples exceeded 0.05 mg/m3.

Analysis of respirable dust exposure data collected at a Zambian copper mine between 2017 and 2022.

Mine workers are occupationally exposed to respirable dust, which can cause irreversible lung diseases and controlling exposure concentrations to as low as reasonably practicable is, therefore, essential. To implement exposure reduction strategies and adequately manage exposure to hazardous chemicals, exposure needs to be measured and recorded according to a standard exposure management plan. This study aimed to assess the available respirable dust exposure data measured between 2017 and 2022 in various work areas and job categories at two mining shafts and a concentrator plant of a Zambian copper mine.

Personal respirable dust and respirable crystalline silica exposure in two shafts and a concentrator of a Zambian copper mine.

Objectives: Since the 1920s, Zambia's mining sector has experienced growth, which has increased the number of mine workers employed in the industry. Consequently, the potential for occupational exposure and prevalence of occupational diseases have also increased. Unfortunately, Zambia does not currently have legislative guidelines for workplace air monitoring and compliance.

Knowledge, Attitude, Behavior Practices and Compliance of Workers Exposed to Respirable Dust in a Zambian Copper Mine.

Work in the copper mining industry is often associated with exposure to respirable dust and respirable crystalline silica. This exposure has the potential to cause silicosis, an incurable occupational respiratory lung disease. This study aimed at establishing the relationship between knowledge, attitudes, work behavioral practices and compliance with safety standards and workers' exposure to respirable dust.

Skin and respiratory exposure to soluble lead, cobalt, nickel, copper, arsenic and silver at two South African precious metals refineries.

Objectives: Precious metals refinery workers are exposed to soluble platinum group metals (PGMs) during PGM-refining but may also be exposed to hazardous non-PGMs (Pb, Co, Ni, Cu, As and Ag) still present in the matte following base metals refining. The aim of this article was to report the skin and respiratory exposure of workers to soluble non-PGMs during PGM-refining.

Methods: Skin and respiratory exposure (of 40 workers at two precious metals refineries) were measured simultaneously over two consecutive shifts.

Effectiveness of Personal Protective Equipment in Reducing Skin Exposure to Soluble Platinum.

Objectives: Various forms of personal protective equipment (PPE), including disposable coveralls and gloves, are used to help reduce skin exposure to soluble platinum in precious metals refineries. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of PPE in reducing workers' skin exposure to soluble platinum.

Methods: Thirty precious metals refinery workers were divided into two groups according to their use of PPE and related procedures.

Skin and respiratory exposure to platinum group metals at two South African precious metals refineries.

Objective: Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) are mined and refined together and have the potential to elicit adverse respiratory and skin health effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the simultaneous skin and respiratory exposure of precious metals refinery workers to all six soluble PGMs.

Methods: The simultaneous skin and respiratory exposure to soluble PGMs of forty workers at two precious metals refineries were measured over two consecutive work shifts using Ghostwipes™ and Methods for the Determination of Hazardous Substances method 46/2.

Urinary excretion of platinum (Pt) following skin and respiratory exposure to soluble Pt at South African precious metals refineries.

Adverse respiratory and skin health effects have been associated with occupational exposure to soluble platinum (Pt). However, the relationship between skin exposure and urinary Pt excretion has not yet been investigated. In this study we examined the relationship between skin and respiratory exposure to soluble Pt and urinary Pt excretion at two South African precious metals refineries.

Urinary excretion of platinum from South African precious metals refinery workers.

Background: Urinary platinum (Pt) excretion is a reliable biomarker for occupational Pt exposure and has been previously reported for precious metals refinery workers in Europe but not for South Africa, the world's largest producer of Pt.

Objective: This study aimed to quantify the urinary Pt excretion of South African precious metals refinery workers.

Methods: Spot urine samples were collected from 40 workers (directly and indirectly exposed to Pt) at two South African precious metals refineries on three consecutive mornings prior to their shifts.

Occupational Respiratory Exposure to Platinum Group Metals: A Review and Recommendations.

Platinum group metals (PGMs) is a group of metals that include platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium. Occupational respiratory exposure to platinum has been reported since 1945, but studies investigating occupational exposure to palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and osmium are scarce. This review provides a summation of the information available on the respiratory exposure to PGMs in various industrial settings, methods used to assess exposure, and the possible adverse health effects resulting from occupational exposure to PGMs.