The Evaluation for Dust Exposure on Dental College Students

Abstract

ISEE-0151 Background and Objective: Dental laboratory technicians may be exposed to metal alloys that are used in the production of crowns, bridges and removable partial dentures. The aim of this study was to assess whether dental college students are investigated the particulate exposure actual condition accompanying cutting and grinding, polishing work under student training of a dental technician college, and considered concentration evaluation. Methods: The T-R personal sampler (T-R: Total and Respirable Dust) was used for individual exposure concentration for 20 persons, it equipped each student's collar in the breathing zone with the filter holder, and sampled it by 2.5 L/min. for about 3 hours. The personal dust sensor (PDS-2 type) is designed to clip on to three student’s collar in the breathing zone, monitored a time concentration change of the particulates under training, and observed work record. The Sioutas Personal Cascade Impactor Sampler (PCIP) operates at a flow rate of 9.0 L /min. for about 3 hours. Results: Change of the temporal particulate exposure concentration under typical gypsum polish and crown polish, and crown steamer work is shown in Fig. 1. The particulate exposure concentration ranged from 0.02 mg/m3 to 0.30 mg/m3 for respiratory dust, and total dust with 0.55 ∼ 3.96 mg/m3 respectively. The aerodynamic size was 0.32 μm (50% cumulative size, σ = 5.0) as a result of PCIP measurment (Log-probability graph). Conclusion: Since this investigation was the pilot field evaluation for the particulate exposure actual condition accompanying cutting and grinding polishing work of the student of a dental technical college, the necessity of analysis metal concentration, such as palladium in particulates and a nickel alloy, from now on was suggested. Further research on the health information of the respiratory symptom and somatic symptoms using standard questionnaire method was done the subject.