Abstract
A large amount of mixed dust exists in grain, which can easily stimulate the respiratory system and cause diseases. This study explored contamination levels and health effects of this grain dust. A total of 616 dust samples from different stages and types of grain were collected in China—in Hefei (Anhui), Shenzhen (Guangdong), Chengdu (Sichuan), Changchun (Jilin), and Shunyi (Beijing)—and analyzed using the filter membrane method and a laser particle size analyzer. A probabilistic risk assessment model was developed to explore the health effects of grain dust on workers in the grain storage industry based on the United States Environmental Protection Agency risk assessment model and the Monte Carlo simulation method. Sensitivity analysis methods were used to analyze the various exposure parameters and influencing factors that affect the health risk assessment results. This assessment model was applied to translate health risks into disability-adjusted life years (DALY). The results revealed that the concentration of dust ranged from 25 to 70 mg/m3, which followed normal distribution and the proportion of dust with a particle size of less than 10 μm exceeded 10%. Workers in the transporting stage were exposed to the largest health risk, which followed a lognormal distribution. The average health risks for workers in the entering and exiting zones were slightly below 2.5 × 10−5. The sensitivity analysis indicated that average time, exposure duration, inhalation rate, and dust concentration made great contributions to dust health risk. Workers in the grain storage and transportation stage had the health damage, and the average DALY exceeded 0.4 years.
Highlights
Grain is an important foundation of national security
The dust concentration, levels, and sources, as well as the resulting health damage created during transportation and storage at Chinese grain storage companies were thoroughly investigated in this study
A risk assessment model for grain dust inhalation was established based on the current United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) health risk assessment system
Summary
Grain is an important foundation of national security. The scale of grain storage and the function of facilities determine the national grain circulation capacity. There are many occupational hazards that can affect the health of workers in the process of grain storage. Grain contains a large amount of mixed dust, including grain husks, bacteria, pests, microorganisms, and mixed fine sand [1]. Grain dust is a companion in the whole life cycle of modern grain, from purchase to storage, transportation, and processing. Grain is constantly tumbling, and the dust particles are continuously separated under the influence of air flow. Workers are often exposed to inhalable dust of >10 mg/m3, and higher exposures can be found at the grain in-warehousing and out-warehousing stages [4]
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