Open AccessExposure assessment to inhalable and respirable dust in the post — earthquake construction sites in the city of l'Aquila
Author(s) -
Mastrantonio Riccardo,
Civisca Angela,
Siciliano Eugenio,
Inglese Enrica,
Lippolis Tamara,
Pompei Domenico,
Cococcetta Lucio,
Scatigna Maria,
Fabiani Leila
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of occupational health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 1348-9585
DOI - 10.1002/1348-9585.12296
Subject(s) - geometric mean , threshold limit value , occupational exposure limit , environmental science , demolition , occupational exposure , environmental engineering , geometric standard deviation , mean value , toxicology , atmospheric sciences , environmental chemistry , meteorology , statistics , environmental health , mathematics , geography , chemistry , engineering , physics , aerosol , civil engineering , medicine , biology
Objectives Following an earthquake that occurred in middle Italy in 2009, the involved territory hosted in 10 years thousands of construction sites. The aim of this study is to assess inhalable, respirable, and respirable crystalline silica exposure of the construction workers involved in the rebuilding activities. Methods Six construction companies joined the study and hosted the air sampling activities. We identified four work tasks: bricklayer and similar; scaffolder and carpenter; manual demolition; other tasks. We reported 8‐h time‐weighted concentrations. Results The “All tasks” geometric mean concentration of inhalable dust was 4.73 mg/m 3 and the higher, TLV exceeding exposure was observed for “Manual demolition workers” (13.92 mg/m 3 , GM). The “All tasks” geometric mean concentration of respirable dust was 0.25 mg/m 3 and no TLV‐exceeding exposure (geometric mean values) was observed among the work‐related groups. About the respirable crystalline silica dust exposure, the “All tasks” average concentration was 0.004 mg/m 3 . No TLV‐exceeding exposure was observed among the whole data sample. Conclusions The comparison of the results shows that manual demolition workers are exposed to high levels of inhalable dust, exceeding the TLV‐TWA (Threshold Limit Values‐Time Weighted Average) limit of 10 mg/m 3 . About the respirable dust concentration, none of the analyzed work task dust concentrations exceeded the TLV‐TWA limit of 3 mg/m 3 (geometric mean values). Measurements of respirable crystalline silica dust have shown levels below the threshold limit value of 0.025 mg/m 3 . Our findings overall match with the available scientific data.