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Document ID (ISN)112141
CIS number 11-0828
ISSN - Serial title 1545-9624 - Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
Year 2010
Convention or series no.
Author(s) O'Shaughnessy P.T., Donham K.J., Peters T.M., Taylor C., Altmaier R., Kelly K.M.
Title A task-specific assessment of swine worker exposure to airborne dust
Bibliographic information Jan. 2010, Vol.7, No.1, p.7-13. Illus. 33 ref.
Internet access A_task-specific_assessment.pdf [in English]
Abstract A task-based analysis of personal airborne dust exposures was performed in two swine confinement facilities in the USA used to house sows and their litters. Airborne particulate levels were assessed during summer, winter, and spring. Personal aerosol measurements of workers were made with a photometer every 15 sec and compared with an integrated concentration measurement made with an inhalable dust sampler. Task type and time period were recorded by the workers over an 8h work shift. There was a significant difference in dust concentrations between seasons, with winter months providing the highest levels (geometric mean 3.76 mg/m3). The application of a general linear model of log-transformed task concentrations relative to site, season and task demonstrated significant differences among all three covariates. Tasks performed near moving animals, especially the weaning process, resulted in the greatest concentrations. These results indicate the need to evaluate the concentration levels for separate tasks during multi-task work shifts, such as swine rearing, to optimize efforts to minimize exposures by focusing on high-concentration tasks.
Descriptors (primary) swine; airborne dust; premises and workplaces; exposure evaluation; livestock rearing
Descriptors (secondary) work in confined spaces; personal sampling; determination in air; handling of animals; USA
Document type D - Periodical articles
Subject(s) Agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry
Toxic and dangerous substances
Broad subject area(s) Chemical safety
Biological hazards
Browse category(ies) Agriculture