Abstract
(1) Exposure of informal artisanal cookware makers to fine particles has not yet been characterized. The aim of this study was to characterize occupational exposure to fine particulate matter (PM4 and PM2.5) levels and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) elemental components; (2) Artisanal cookware makers were recruited from five cookware making sites. Exposure to fine particulate matter was measured for 17 male participants. SidePak personal aerosol monitors (AM520) were used to measure personal exposure to PM4, while a DustTrak monitor and an E-sampler were used to assess indoor and outdoor PM2.5 levels, respectively. A questionnaire was administered to capture information on demographic characteristics. The chemical characterization of indoor and outdoor PM2.5 filter mass was conducted using Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence. Time series record of 15-min averages for indoor and outdoor PM2.5 levels were assessed; (3) The median (range) was 124 µg/m3 (23−100,000), 64 µg/m3 (1−6097) and 12 µg/m3 (4−1178), respectively, for personal PM4, indoor and outdoor PM2.5. The highest levels for many of the elemental components of PM2.5 were found in the outdoor PM2.5 filter mass and (4). The information generated during this study may assist in extending occupational health and safety strategies to artisanal cookware makers and developing targeted prevention initiatives.
Highlights
Epidemiological studies have consistently found significant positive associations between airborne particulate matter (PM) and a variety of adverse health outcomes, including respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses [1,2,3] and adverse pregnancy outcomes [4,5,6,7]
PM is defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as “a mixture of solid and liquid droplets suspended in the air such as organic chemicals, soot, metals, soils or dust
We described personal (PM4 ), indoor and outdoor (PM2.5 ) levels and PM2.5 elemental components among artisanal cookware makers
Summary
Epidemiological studies have consistently found significant positive associations between airborne particulate matter (PM) and a variety of adverse health outcomes, including respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses [1,2,3] and adverse pregnancy outcomes [4,5,6,7]. Health Organization, PM affects more people than any other pollutant [8]. Long term health effects of exposure to PM outweigh short term health effects with regards to public health significance [9]. PM is defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as “a mixture of solid and liquid droplets suspended in the air such as organic chemicals, soot, metals, soils or dust. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 7522; doi:10.3390/ijerph17207522 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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