CONCENTRATION AND SIZE OF AIRBORNE PARTICULATES IN WOODWORKING SHOPS

Renan Pereira Barbosa,Luciano José Minette,Michel Picanço Oliveira,Nilton Cesar Fiedler,Amaury Paulo De Souza,José Reinaldo Moreira Silva

doi:10.1590/1806-90882018000100009

Abstract

ABSTRACT Wood secondary processing operations generate large amounts of airborne particulates. Inhalation of this material can lead to the development of work-related respiratory diseases. The Brazilian legislation does not define threshold limit values for airborne wood particles, and local studies are required to provide a technical basis for establishing these limits by regulation. This study aimed to determine the concentration and size of airborne wood particles of Eucalyptus spp. in woodworking shops. Analysis of the concentration of airborne particles was carried out using a gravimetric sampling pump and collector filters. The size of airborne particles was determined using microscope slides and an optical microscope coupled to an image capture system. Air samples were collected near different machines (belt sander, table saw, and band saw) at five woodworking shops located in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Of the three machines, the belt sander produced the most harmful type of particulate matter: the small size of these particles allows their deposition deep into the respiratory tract. Particulate matter was above the threshold limit value established by international standards. To prevent the risk of severe health effects, there is an urgent and imperative need to reduce worker exposure levels (by the use of collective and personal protective equipment) as well as for the implementation of specific regulations that define particulate exposure limits for the wood sector in Brazil.

Highlights

Occupational health and safety is an issue of utmost importance for enterprises
The size of airborne particles was determined using microscope slides and an optical microscope coupled to an image capture system
The study was developed following basic precepts defined by the Brazilian Regulatory Standards NR 9, NR 15, and NR 17 (Segurança e Medicina do Trabalho, 2015), Fundacentro Occupational Hygiene Standards (NHOs), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), andAmerican Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)

Summary

Introduction

Occupational health and safety is an issue of utmost importance for enterprises. Worker exposure to hazardous environments may result in irreversible health effects that can lead to occupational diseases. Despite Brazil’s strict regulatory policies and occupational safety standards, the number of work accidents has increased in recent years (Mendes et al, 2017). In the wood furniture industry, workers are frequently exposed to inadequate conditions, especially in smallsized enterprises, where the availability of safe, ergonomic, and high-tech machines and tools is limited (Tremblay and Badri, 2018; Top et al, 2016). According to the Jorge Duprat Figueiredo Foundation of Safety and Occupational Health (Fundação Jorge Duprat e Figueiredo, 1994), respiratory protection programs must be implemented at work environments with high concentrations of dust. According to Pavlovska et al (2016), there is a large number of airborne nano and microparticles in woodworking industries, and these particulates may pose risks to human health depending on their composition

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