Jan P Gromiec
Research interests
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InterestsToxic Metals, Toxicity, Exposure Assessment, Risk Assessment, Occupational Epidemiology, Industrial Hygiene
Publications
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4.35Impact points
Occupational exposure to dusts and risk of renal cell carcinoma.
British journal of cancer. 05/2011; 104(11):1797-803.
Occupational exposures to dusts have generally been examined in relation to cancers of the respiratory system and have rarely been examined in relation to other cancers, such as renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Although previous epidemiological studies, though few, have shown certain dusts, such as asbes... [more] Occupational exposures to dusts have generally been examined in relation to cancers of the respiratory system and have rarely been examined in relation to other cancers, such as renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Although previous epidemiological studies, though few, have shown certain dusts, such as asbestos, to increase renal cancer risk, the potential for other occupational dust exposures to cause kidney damage and/or cancer may exist. We investigated whether asbestos, as well as 20 other occupational dust exposures, were associated with RCC risk in a large European, multi-center, hospital-based renal case-control study. General occupational histories and job-specific questionnaires were reviewed by occupational hygienists for subject-specific information. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) between RCC risk and exposures were calculated using unconditional logistic regression. Among participants ever exposed to dusts, significant associations were observed for glass fibres (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.1-3.9), mineral wool fibres (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.2-5.1), and brick dust (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.0-2.4). Significant trends were also observed with exposure duration and cumulative exposure. No association between RCC risk and asbestos exposure was observed. Results suggest that increased RCC risk may be associated with occupational exposure to specific types of dusts. Additional studies are needed to replicate and extend findings.
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1.88Impact points
Renal cancer risk and occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and plastics.
Journal of occupational and environmental medicine / American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 02/2011; 53(2):218-23.
To investigate whether occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and certain plastic monomers increased renal cell carcinoma (RCC) risk. Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate RCC risk in relation to exposure. No association between RCC risk and having ever been occu... [more] To investigate whether occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and certain plastic monomers increased renal cell carcinoma (RCC) risk. Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate RCC risk in relation to exposure. No association between RCC risk and having ever been occupationally exposed to any polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or plastics was observed. Duration of exposure and average exposure also showed no association with risk. Suggestive positive associations between RCC risk and cumulative exposure to styrene (P-trend = 0.02) and acrylonitrile (P-trend = 0.06) were found. Cumulative exposure to petroleum/gasoline engine emissions was inversely associated with risk (P-trend = 0.02). Results indicate a possible association between occupational styrene and acrylonitrile exposure and RCC risk. Additional studies are needed to replicate findings, as this is the first time these associations have been reported and they may be due to chance.
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7.54Impact points
Occupational trichloroethylene exposure and renal carcinoma risk: evidence of genetic susceptibility by reductive metabolism gene variants.
Cancer research. 08/2010; 70(16):6527-36.
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a suspected renal carcinogen. TCE-associated renal genotoxicity occurs predominantly through glutathione S-transferase (GST) conjugation and bioactivation by renal cysteine beta-lyase (CCBL1). We conducted a case-control study in Central Europe (1,097 cases and 1,476 contr... [more] Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a suspected renal carcinogen. TCE-associated renal genotoxicity occurs predominantly through glutathione S-transferase (GST) conjugation and bioactivation by renal cysteine beta-lyase (CCBL1). We conducted a case-control study in Central Europe (1,097 cases and 1,476 controls) specifically designed to assess risk associated with occupational exposure to TCE through analysis of detailed job histories. All jobs were coded for organic/chlorinated solvent and TCE exposure (ever/never) as well as the frequency and intensity of exposure based on detailed occupational questionnaires, specialized questionnaires, and expert assessments. Increased risk was observed among subjects ever TCE exposed [odds ratio (OR) = 1.63; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.04-2.54]. Exposure-response trends were observed among subjects above and below the median exposure [average intensity (OR = 1.38; 95% CI, 0.81-2.35; OR = 2.34; 95% CI, 1.05-5.21; P(trend) = 0.02)]. A significant association was found among TCE-exposed subjects with at least one intact GSTT1 allele (active genotype; OR = 1.88; 95% CI, 1.06-3.33) but not among subjects with two deleted alleles (null genotype; OR = 0.93; 95% CI, 0.35-2.44; P(interaction) = 0.18). Similar associations for all exposure metrics including average intensity were observed among GSTT1-active subjects (OR = 1.56; 95% CI, 0.79-3.10; OR = 2.77; 95% CI, 1.01-7.58; P(trend) = 0.02) but not among GSTT1 nulls (OR = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.24-2.72; OR = 1.16; 95% CI, 0.27-5.04; P(trend) = 1.00; P(interaction) = 0.34). Further evidence of heterogeneity was seen among TCE-exposed subjects with >or=1 minor allele of several CCBL1-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms: rs2293968, rs2280841, rs2259043, and rs941960. These findings provide the strongest evidence to date that TCE exposure is associated with increased renal cancer risk, particularly among individuals carrying polymorphisms in genes that are important in the reductive metabolism of this chemical, and provides biological plausibility of the association in humans.
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3.64Impact points
Occupational exposure to organic solvents and breast cancer in women.
Occupational and environmental medicine. 10/2009;
BACKGROUND: Although studies in rodents suggest possible associations between exposure to organic solvents and breast cancer, the evidence in humans is limited. METHODS: We evaluated job histories of 2383 incident breast cancer cases, and 2502 controls who participated in a large population-based ca... [more] BACKGROUND: Although studies in rodents suggest possible associations between exposure to organic solvents and breast cancer, the evidence in humans is limited. METHODS: We evaluated job histories of 2383 incident breast cancer cases, and 2502 controls who participated in a large population-based case-control study in Poland and were diagnosed during 2000-2003. Industrial hygienists reviewed occupational histories and developed exposure metrices for total organic solvents and benzene. Unconditional logistic regression analyses estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as the measure of association with breast cancer risk, controlling for breast cancer risk factors. Stratified analyses examined the potential modification by known breast cancer risk factors. Associations were also evaluated by estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status and by other clinical characteristics of the tumours using polytomous regression analyses. RESULTS: Women who ever worked at jobs with organic solvents exposure had a small but nonsignificantly increased breast cancer risk (OR=1.16; 95%CI 0.99 to 1.4), A significant association was present for ER and PR negative tumors (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.8, but not for tumors with both positive receptors (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.8 to 1.2,(p-heterogeneity: 0.008)). However, we did not observe trends with increasing level of exposure. Known breast cancer risk factors did not modify the association with organic solvents and breast cancer risk. No significant association with risk was found for benzene exposure (OR 1.00; 95% CI 0.8 to 1.3). CONCLUSION: Our study provides weak evidence for a possible association between occupational exposure to organic solvents as a class and breast cancer risk. The association might be limited to hormone receptor negative tumors.
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[Occupational exposure limits for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Current legal status and proposed changes]
Medycyna pracy. 01/2009; 60(3):179-85.
BACKGROUND: The evaluation of occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Poland is based on the results of measurements of their concentrations in workplace air compared to appropriate occupational exposure limits. The inconsistence in current regulations is the source of ma... [more] BACKGROUND: The evaluation of occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Poland is based on the results of measurements of their concentrations in workplace air compared to appropriate occupational exposure limits. The inconsistence in current regulations is the source of many interpretation-related problems. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work was to determine PAH concentrations in different technological processes and to analyze statistically the obtained data to indicate the presence (or absence) of differences between exposure indices calculated for 9 PAHs listed in the decree of the Minister of Labor and those (8 compounds) set by the Minister of Health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Air samples were collected during graphite electrode production, coke production, aluminum smelting, tire production and road paving. PAH concentrations in collected air samples were analyzed by HPLC. RESULTS: The obtained data calculated for each technological process indicate that indices of exposure based on 8 or 9 PAHs, taking into account their relative carcinogenicity, did not differ considerably and are not statistically different from exposure indices calculated for 11 PAHs. CONCLUSIONS: In view that the indices of exposure calculated for 8 and 9 compounds are not statistically different and that of all the PAHs listed in the decree of the Minister of Labor, two compounds are not classified as carcinogenic, it seems justified to substitute the latter by the list of compounds issued by the Minister of Health. The proposed modification should result in a better consistency of legal regulations without altering the quality of the occupational exposure evaluation. Furthermore, removing benzo(a)pyrene and dibenzo(ah)anthracene from the OEL list should solve the existing interpretation-related problems.
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1.72Impact points
Elaboration of a quantitative job-exposure matrix for historical exposure to airborne exposures in the Polish rubber industry.
American journal of industrial medicine. 11/2008; 51(11):852-60.
A job-exposure matrix (JEM) for inhalable aerosols, aromatic amines, and cyclohexane soluble matter (CSM) was elaborated based on measurements collected routinely between 1981 and 1996. The data were grouped based on similarities in exposure levels and time trends in different departments, and were ... [more] A job-exposure matrix (JEM) for inhalable aerosols, aromatic amines, and cyclohexane soluble matter (CSM) was elaborated based on measurements collected routinely between 1981 and 1996. The data were grouped based on similarities in exposure levels and time trends in different departments, and were analyzed using smoothing splines and mixed effects models. Although higher than in western European countries, inhalable aerosol exposure decreased after changes in production volume and implementation of exposure reduction measures in mid-1980s. Aromatic amines concentrations first increased following the factory's production volume, but subsequently decreased in more recent years. CSM concentrations were uniformly distributed between departments. This JEM provides an overview of historical exposure levels in a large Polish rubber factory and will enable estimation of lifetime exposure for individual workers in a Polish rubber workers cohort and further investigation of the associations between specific exposures and cancer risk.
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4.80Impact points
Renal cell carcinoma, occupational pesticide exposure, and modification by glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms.
Carcinogenesis. 07/2008;
This study investigated associations between occupational pesticide exposure and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) risk. To follow-up on a previous report by Buzio and colleagues, we also considered whether this association could be modified by glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 (GSTM1 and GSTT1) genotype... [more] This study investigated associations between occupational pesticide exposure and renal cell carcinoma (RCC) risk. To follow-up on a previous report by Buzio and colleagues, we also considered whether this association could be modified by glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 (GSTM1 and GSTT1) genotypes. 1,097 RCC cases and 1,476 controls from Central and Eastern Europe were interviewed to collect data on lifetime occupational histories. Occupational information for jobs held for at least 12 months duration were coded for pesticide exposures and assessed for frequency and intensity of exposure. GSTM1 and T1 gene deletions were analyzed using TaqMan(R) assays. A significant increase in RCC risk was observed among subjects ever exposed to pesticides (OR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.00-2.55). After stratification by genotypes, increased risk was observed among exposed subjects with at least one GSTM1 active allele (OR: 4.00; 95%CI: 1.55-10.33) but not among exposed subjects with two GSTM1 inactive alleles, compared to unexposed subjects with two inactive alleles (P-interaction: 0.04). Risk was highest among exposed subjects with both GSTM1 and GSTT1 active genotypes (OR: 6.47; 95% CI: 1.82-23.00; P-interaction: 0.02) compared to unexposed subjects with at least one GSTM1 or T1 inactive genotype. In the largest RCC case-control study with genotype information conducted to date, we observed that risk associated with pesticide exposure was exclusive to individuals with active GSTM1/T1 genotypes. These findings further support the hypothesis that GST polymorphisms can modify RCC risk associated with occupational pesticide exposure.
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[Problems concerning the integration of "derived-no-effect-levels" (DNELS) into occupational safety and health regulations]
Medycyna pracy. 02/2008; 59(1):65-73.
Under the rules of chemical safety assessment, derived-no-effect-levels (DNELs) should be established for all registration-subjected substances, which are put on the market in quantities of 10 tonnes and more per year. DNELs represent exposure levels above which humans should not be exposed to. The ... [more] Under the rules of chemical safety assessment, derived-no-effect-levels (DNELs) should be established for all registration-subjected substances, which are put on the market in quantities of 10 tonnes and more per year. DNELs represent exposure levels above which humans should not be exposed to. The purpose of DNELs is to serve as a reference value for determining adequate control of exposure for specific scenarios. Since a considerable number of exposure scenarios may comprise occupational inhalation exposure, DNELs may be wrongly understood as a kind of Occupational Exposure Limit, therefore, the issue of their integration into the national legislation on occupational safety and health (OSH) acquires crucial importance. In this paper, procedures for establishing DNELs and occupational exposure limits in the European Union (OEL) and Poland (MAC) are compared. The role of MAC values in Polish occupational safety and health is also discussed. In occupational inhalation exposure, DNELs may serve as a kind of guidelines and tentative criteria for risk characterization/assessment of substances for which sound scientific MAC values have not yet been determined, however, this requires formal introduction of DNELs into Polish OSH legislation.
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1.72Impact points
Occupation and breast cancer risk in Polish women: a population-based case-control study.
American journal of industrial medicine. 03/2007; 50(2):97-111.
BACKGROUND: The etiology of breast cancer is not well understood and the role of occupational exposures in breast carcinogenesis is still uncertain. METHODS: The population-based case-control study included 2,386 incident breast cancer cases diagnosed in 2000-2003, and 2,502 controls. Lifetime occup... [more] BACKGROUND: The etiology of breast cancer is not well understood and the role of occupational exposures in breast carcinogenesis is still uncertain. METHODS: The population-based case-control study included 2,386 incident breast cancer cases diagnosed in 2000-2003, and 2,502 controls. Lifetime occupational histories and information on other potential breast cancer risk factors were obtained through personal interviews. Conditional logistic regression analyses calculated odds ratios (ORs) associated with various occupations and industries after control for potential confounders. RESULTS: We found statistically significant excesses of breast cancer among engineers (OR=2.0; 95% CI: 1.0-3.8), economists (2.1; 1.1-3.8), sales occupations-retail (1.2; 1.0-1.5), and other sales occupations (1.2; 1.0-1.5). Industries showing significantly elevated risks included special trade contractors (2.2; 1.2-4.3), electronic and electric equipment manufacturers (1.7; 1.1-2.7); and public administration/general government n.e.c. (2.7; 1.3-5.7). Each of these findings was supported by a statistically significant positive trend for duration of employment (P<0.05). A decreased breast cancer risk was observed in janitors and cleaners (0.7; 0.5-0.8). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found few associations for breast cancer and occupations or industries. The suggestive findings for the electronic and electric equipment manufacturing industry and for the occupations with potential exposure to magnetic fields deserve further evaluation.
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5.51Impact points
Assessing exposure misclassification by expert assessment in multicenter occupational studies.
Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.). 10/2003; 14(5):585-92.
BACKGROUND: In a multicenter case-control study of lung cancer in central and eastern Europe and in Liverpool, exposure to occupational agents was assessed by teams of local experts. We performed an interteam agreement study to estimate the levels of exposure misclassification and the expected atten... [more] BACKGROUND: In a multicenter case-control study of lung cancer in central and eastern Europe and in Liverpool, exposure to occupational agents was assessed by teams of local experts. We performed an interteam agreement study to estimate the levels of exposure misclassification and the expected attenuation of the risk estimate. METHODS: Eight teams of experts and a reference rater assessed exposure to 70 putative lung carcinogens for 19 jobs. Agreement among teams was calculated through Cohen's kappa, sensitivity, and specificity. RESULTS: Each team showed an overall fair to good agreement with the reference (kappa between 0.53 and 0.64). The agreement among teams in the presence of exposure was excellent for 9 agents, fair to good for 16, and poor for 29. For all agents the specificity was high (average 0.94), although sensitivity varied considerably. CONCLUSIONS: This study of expert exposure assessment showed a small range in reliability among teams of experts, but large differences among agents. This paper presents the range in levels of misclassification that can be expected using experts for assessing occupational exposure to different agents, and the attenuation of the odds ratio that can be expected to result from this misclassification.
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[Polish and worldwide short term exposure limits: concept, interpretation and proposed sampling strategy for assessing short term exposure]
Medycyna pracy. 02/2003; 54(5):457-63.
Short term exposure limits (STEL) are introduced to prevent acute effects of substances whose workday concentrations are maintained below OEL-TWA. The aim of this paper was to compare the procedures of setting STEL and practicing their application for chemical agents in Poland and other selected cou... [more] Short term exposure limits (STEL) are introduced to prevent acute effects of substances whose workday concentrations are maintained below OEL-TWA. The aim of this paper was to compare the procedures of setting STEL and practicing their application for chemical agents in Poland and other selected countries (USA, Germany, UK) and in the European Union in general. Based on the review, a new concept of STEL was proposed. It involves drastic decrease in the number of substances with dual hygiene standards and maintenance of departures above TWA within some reasonable limits, depending on variability of concentrations expressed as geometric standard deviation, if the availability of toxicological data is limited. In view of the changed STEL definition, a new air sampling strategy has been proposed. It is based on the worst case samples with possibility of restrain from sampling in case of homogenous exposure.
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[Scientific background of occupational exposure limits for chemical substances in Poland]
Roczniki Państwowego Zakładu Higieny. 02/2003; 54 Suppl:48.
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2.23Impact points
Occupational exposure to rubber vulcanization products during repair of rubber conveyor belts in a brown coal mine.
Journal of environmental monitoring : JEM. 01/2003; 4(6):1054-9.
Several hundred chemical compounds were found in workroom environments in the rubber industry, but most of the published exposure data relate to the production of tyres; information from the "non-tyre" sections are very limited, if any. This study was carried out to identify chemical subst... [more] Several hundred chemical compounds were found in workroom environments in the rubber industry, but most of the published exposure data relate to the production of tyres; information from the "non-tyre" sections are very limited, if any. This study was carried out to identify chemical substances and measure their air concentrations in the repair shop of a brown coal mine in which damaged rubber conveyor belts were repaired. GC-MS and HPLC analysis of stationary air samples resulted in identification of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons to C12, PAHs, alcohols, phenols, ketones, heterocyclic nitrogen and sulfur compounds. Quantitative evaluation of occupational exposure included determination of organic compound vapours collected on charcoal (GC-MSD), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HPLC), N-nitrosoamines and other amines (GC-NPD) and DNPH derivatives of aldehydes (HPLC) in the breathing zone of workers representing all job titles. The concentrations of investigated compounds were very low. Carcinogenic substances: N-nitrosoamines, benzene, PAHs were not present in workroom air in concentrations exceeding limits of detection of the analytical methods being applied; concentrations of methylisobutylketone, tetrachloroethylene, naphtha, aromatic hydrocarbons, phthalates and aldehydes were much lower than the respective occupational exposure limit values. The results indicate much lower exposure than that reported in the production of tyres and other fabricated rubber products.
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Evaluation of occupational exposure to toxic metals released in the process of aluminum welding.
Applied occupational and environmental hygiene. 04/2002; 17(4):296-303.
The objective of this study was to evaluate occupational exposure to welding fumes and its elements on aluminum welders in Polish industry. The study included 52 MIG/Al fume samples and 18 TIG/Al samples in 3 plants. Air samples were collected in the breathing zone of welders (total and respirable d... [more] The objective of this study was to evaluate occupational exposure to welding fumes and its elements on aluminum welders in Polish industry. The study included 52 MIG/Al fume samples and 18 TIG/Al samples in 3 plants. Air samples were collected in the breathing zone of welders (total and respirable dust). Dust concentration was determined gravimetrically, and the elements in the collected dust were determined by AAS. Mean time-weighted average (TWA) concentrations of the welding dusts/fumes and their components in the breathing zone obtained for different welding processes were, in mg/m3: MIG/Al fumes mean 6.0 (0.8-17.8), Al 2.1 (0.1-7.7), Mg 0.2 (< 0.1-0.9), Mn 0.014 (0.002-0.049), Cu 0.011 (0.002-0.092), Zn 0.016 (0.002-0.14), Pb 0.009 (0.005-0.025), Cr 0.003 (0.002-0.007), and TIG/Al fumes 0.7 (0.3-1.4), Al 0.17 (0.07-0.50). A correlation has been found between the concentration of the main components and the fume/dust concentrations in MIG/Al and TIG/Al fumes. Mean percentages of the individual components in MIG/Al fumes/dusts were Al: 30 (9-56) percent; Mg: 3 (1-5.6) percent; Mn: 0.2 (0.1-0.3) percent; Cu: 0.2 (< 0.1-1.8) percent; Zn: 0.2 (< 0.1-0.8) percent; Pb: 0.2 (< 0.1-1) percent; Cr: < 0.1 percent. The proportion of the respirable fraction in the fumes and their constituents varied between 10 percent and 100 percent. The results showed that MIG/Al fumes concentration was 1.2 times higher than the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) threshold limit value (TLV), and the index of the combined exposure to the determined agents was 2.3 (0.4-8.0), mostly because of high Al2O3 contribution. The background concentrations of the components (ca. 5-10 times lower than those in the breathing zone of the welders) did not exceed the Polish MAC value. The elemental composition of total and respirable fume/dust may differ considerably depending on welding methods, the nature of welding-related operations, and work environment conditions.
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[Exposure to selected aldehydes among municipal transport bus drivers]
Medycyna pracy. 02/2002; 53(2):115-7.
The objective of the study was to determine occupational exposure of municipal transport bus drovers to selected aldehydes: formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acrolein. Ten drivers serving 5 bus lines were selected for the study. Air samples were collected in the driver's breathing zone and in bus c... [more] The objective of the study was to determine occupational exposure of municipal transport bus drovers to selected aldehydes: formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acrolein. Ten drivers serving 5 bus lines were selected for the study. Air samples were collected in the driver's breathing zone and in bus cabins. The test air (about 10 l) was drawn through columns filled with silicagel coated by dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). The products of DNPH reaction with aldehydes were extracted with acetonitrile and analyzed by HPLC with a spectrophotometric detector (lambda = 360 nm). The analytical procedure enabled to determine the selected aldehydes in the concentration range equivalent to 0.1-2.0 of the Polish maximum allowable concentrations (MAC). In the quantitative analysis, the concentrations of selected aldehydes were found to be much lower than MAC values, regardless of the bus type. The concentrations of formaldehyde and acrolein ranged from 0.025 to 0.090 mg/m3 and from 0.010 to 0.035 mg/m3, respectively. In all samples, acetaldehyde concentrations were well below the limit of detection of the analytical method. The combined exposure to aldehydes was also below the limit value for mixtures.
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[Criteria for evaluating exposure to chemical substances in Poland: procedures for suppression and applications]
Medycyna pracy. 02/2002; 53(1):53-9.
The major objective of setting values of chemical concentrations in the work environment is to reduce the risk of occupation-related exposure to levels regarded as safe to humans. In the standard setting process, a critical assessment of the available literature data on toxicity of a given chemical ... [more] The major objective of setting values of chemical concentrations in the work environment is to reduce the risk of occupation-related exposure to levels regarded as safe to humans. In the standard setting process, a critical assessment of the available literature data on toxicity of a given chemical and related health effects in the population exposed, depending on concentrations and exposure duration, is essential. Such an assessment performed by a group of experts is a difficult and responsible task since the available data are frequently incomplete and extrapolation of the results of animal experiments aimed at setting limits of concentrations safe to humans raises multiple doubts. The aim of this paper was to compare the procedures of setting permissible values for chemical factors in Poland and throughout the world and to highlight differences in their interpretation. In addition, a brief history of setting admissible limits, as well as definitions of hygiene standards used in Poland, the USA, Germany, the UK and in the former Soviet Union together with the ways of their formulation are presented. The country-to-country variations of attitudes towards setting admissible levels of exposure to carcinogenic agents are worthy of special mention. Maximum admissible concentrations of chemicals in the work environment suggested by experts and adopted by the state administration should not be regarded as constant and completely safe to the human health, thus the existing systems should take account of the need to verify these values with an inflow of updated information on chemical toxicity.
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[Occupational exposure to gases emitted in mild and stainless steel welding]
Medycyna pracy. 02/2001; 52(6):423-36.
The objective of this work was to select optimal methods for determination of toxic gases (NOx, NO2, CO, CO2, O3) and to evaluate occupational exposure of welders to those gases. The survey covered workers employed in shipyards, and other metal product fabrication plants engaged in welding mild and ... [more] The objective of this work was to select optimal methods for determination of toxic gases (NOx, NO2, CO, CO2, O3) and to evaluate occupational exposure of welders to those gases. The survey covered workers employed in shipyards, and other metal product fabrication plants engaged in welding mild and stainless steel by different techniques (manual metal are, metal active gas, tungsten inert gas welding; gas, plasma, laser cutting and resistance welding). Personal and stationary air samples were collected to determine time weighted average (TWA) and short-term concentrations of gases. For determination of nitrogen oxides the following analytical techniques were employed: spectrophotometry with collection on liquid and solid sorbents and ion chromatography with collection on solid sorbents. All the gases were determined also by automatic or direct reading methods: flow or diffusion detector tubes and photometric and electrochemical analyzers. The determined TWA concentrations were below respective Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MAC) but exposure limits for short term exposure were exceeded in some cases. The average NO2 i NOx ratio was 1:4. According to Polish regulations regarding the MAC value for nitrogen oxides the analytical method should enable determination of total NOx by either direct or indirect simultaneous determination of both NO and NO2. The applicability of the spectrophotometric method of analysis of atmospheric NOx to determination of low NOx concentrations at welders working posts has been confirmed.
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[Exposure assessment strategies for determination of compliance with ceiling occupational exposure limits]
Medycyna pracy. 02/2000; 51(2):173-84.
The goal of the assessment of exposure to chemicals is to demonstrate the compliance with occupational exposure limit (OEL). There are numerous publications on recommended air sampling strategies for compliance measurements of time weighted average (TWA) concentrations of chemicals but no clear and ... [more] The goal of the assessment of exposure to chemicals is to demonstrate the compliance with occupational exposure limit (OEL). There are numerous publications on recommended air sampling strategies for compliance measurements of time weighted average (TWA) concentrations of chemicals but no clear and unambiguous guidelines for measurements and interpretation of ceiling concentrations can be found. Furthermore, definitions and interpretation of ceiling values in different countries may differ considerably. Systems of establishing ceiling limit values, their definitions and interpretation in Germany, the USA (OSHA, ACGIH and NIOSH), the UK and Poland have been reviewed. In most countries of the European Union and in the USA, continuous monitoring using either self contained instruments, multipoint sampling systems or multiplexed sensors is considered as being the most appropriate approach. Based on the literature review the following air sampling strategies have been proposed:--for substances with both OEL--Ceiling and OEL-TWA values dual sampling: 8-hour samples for time weighted average concentrations, and in parallel short (5-10 min) samples during the expected highest exposure for ceiling concentrations measurements; for substances with OEL--Ceiling as the only exposure limit (which is preferable); continuous monitoring using direct reading instruments, possibly with an alarm device. If such instruments are not available, short time measurements may be performed at regular (30 min) intervals using direct reading gas analysers or detector tubes.
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[Problems faced in hygiene evaluation of Welders' working conditions--analysis of chemical hazards]
Medycyna pracy. 02/2000; 51(5):495-507.
Dissemination of individual welding methods, as well as assessment of welding fume and gas emissions and their physical properties, chemical composition and related difficulties in hygiene evaluation of working conditions are discussed.... [more] Dissemination of individual welding methods, as well as assessment of welding fume and gas emissions and their physical properties, chemical composition and related difficulties in hygiene evaluation of working conditions are discussed.
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[Reliability of routine measurements of the atmospheric air pollutant nitrogen dioxide]
Medycyna pracy. 02/1997; 48(2):145-52.
On the basis of an external quality control of nitrogen dioxide measurements in the atmospheric air (emmission), the preparation of control material, its evaluation and durability are presented. The results of the control test carried out in the spring 1995 is also discussed.... [more] On the basis of an external quality control of nitrogen dioxide measurements in the atmospheric air (emmission), the preparation of control material, its evaluation and durability are presented. The results of the control test carried out in the spring 1995 is also discussed.
Following (23)
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John Cherrie
Institute of Occupational Medicine -
Adrianna Potocka
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine -
Wojciech Hanke
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine -
Beata Peplonska
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine -
Gezim Hodolli
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine
