Birgit Van Duuren-Stuurman

Publications of Birgit Van Duuren-Stuurman

• Stoffenmanager Nano Version 1.0: A Web-Based Tool for Risk Prioritization of Airborne Manufactured Nano Objects.

  Authors: Birgit Van Duuren-Stuurman, Stefan R Vink, Koen J M Verbist, Henri G A Heussen, Derk H Brouwer, Dinant E D Kroese, Maikel F J Van Niftrik, Erik Tielemans, Wouter Fransman

  The Annals of occupational hygiene. 01/2012;

  Stoffenmanager Nano (version 1.0) is a risk-banding tool developed for employers and employees to prioritize health risks occurring as a result of exposure to manufactured nano objects (MNOs) for aStoffenmanager Nano (version 1.0) is a risk-banding tool developed for employers and employees to prioritize health risks occurring as a result of exposure to manufactured nano objects (MNOs) for a broad range of worker scenarios and to assist implementation of control measures to reduce exposure levels. In order to prioritize the health risks, the Stoffenmanager Nano combines the available hazard information of a substance with a qualitative estimate of potential for inhalation exposure. The development of the Stoffenmanager Nano started with a review of the available literature on control banding. Input parameters for the hazard assessment of MNOs were selected based on the availability of these parameters in, for instance, Safety Data Sheets or product information sheets. The conceptual exposure model described by Schneider et al. (2011) was used as the starting point for exposure banding. During the development of the Stoffenmanager Nano tool, the precautionary principle was applied to deal with the uncertainty regarding hazard and exposure assessment of MNOs. Subsequently, the model was converted into an online tool (http://nano.stoffenmanager.nl), tested, and reviewed by a number of companies. In this paper, we describe the Stoffenmanager Nano. This tool offers a practical approach for risk prioritization in exposure situations where quantitative risk assessment is currently not possible. Updates of this first version are anticipated as more data become available in the future.

• Cost-benefit analysis in occupational health: a comparison of intervention scenarios for occupational asthma and rhinitis among bakery workers.

  Authors: Tim Meijster, Birgit van Duuren-Stuurman, Dick Heederik, Remko Houba, Ernst Koningsveld, Nicholas Warren, Erik Tielemans

  Occupational and environmental medicine. 05/2011; 68(10):739-45.

  Use of cost-benefit analysis in occupational health increases insight into the intervention strategy that maximises the cost-benefit ratio. This study presents a methodological framework identifyingUse of cost-benefit analysis in occupational health increases insight into the intervention strategy that maximises the cost-benefit ratio. This study presents a methodological framework identifying the most important elements of a cost-benefit analysis for occupational health settings. One of the main aims of the methodology is to evaluate cost-benefit ratios for different stakeholders (employers, employees and society). The developed methodology was applied to two intervention strategies focused on reducing respiratory diseases. A cost-benefit framework was developed and used to set up a calculation spreadsheet containing the inputs and algorithms required to calculate the costs and benefits for all cost elements. Inputs from a large variety of sources were used to calculate total costs, total benefits, net costs and the benefit-to-costs ratio for both intervention scenarios. Implementation of a covenant intervention program resulted in a net benefit of €16 848 546 over 20 years for a population of 10 000 workers. Implementation was cost-effective for all stakeholders. For a health surveillance scenario, total benefits resulting from a decreased disease burden were estimated to be €44 659 352. The costs of the interventions could not be calculated. This study provides important insights for developing effective intervention strategies in the field of occupational medicine. Use of a model based approach enables investigation of those parameters most likely to impact on the effectiveness and costs of interventions for work related diseases. Our case study highlights the importance of considering different perspectives (of employers, society and employees) in assessing and sharing the costs and benefits of interventions.

• Conceptual model for assessment of inhalation exposure to manufactured nanoparticles.

  Authors: Thomas Schneider, Derk Henri Brouwer, Ismo Kalevi Koponen, Keld Alstrup Jensen, Wouter Fransman, Birgit Van Duuren-Stuurman, Martie Van Tongeren, Erik Tielemans

  Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology. 03/2011; 21(5):450-63.

  As workplace air measurements of manufactured nanoparticles are relatively expensive to conduct, models can be helpful for a first tier assessment of exposure. A conceptual model was developed toAs workplace air measurements of manufactured nanoparticles are relatively expensive to conduct, models can be helpful for a first tier assessment of exposure. A conceptual model was developed to give a framework for such models. The basis for the model is an analysis of the fate and underlying mechanisms of nanoparticles emitted by a source during transport to a receptor. Four source domains are distinguished; that is, production, handling of bulk product, dispersion of ready-to-use nanoproducts, fracturing and abrasion of end products. These domains represent different generation mechanisms that determine particle emission characteristics; for example, emission rate, particle size distribution, and source location. During transport, homogeneous coagulation, scavenging, and surface deposition will determine the fate of the particles and cause changes in both particle size distributions and number concentrations. The degree of impact of these processes will be determined by a variety of factors including the concentration and size mode of the emitted nanoparticles and background aerosols, source to receptor distance, and ventilation characteristics. The second part of the paper focuses on to what extent the conceptual model could be fit into an existing mechanistic predictive model for ''conventional'' exposures. The model should be seen as a framework for characterization of exposure to (manufactured) nanoparticles and future exposure modeling.

• A structured observational method to assess dermal exposure to manufactured nanoparticles DREAM as an initial assessment tool.

  Authors: Birgit Van Duuren-Stuurman, Johannes Pelzer, Carsten Moehlmann, Markus Berges, Delphine Bard, Derrick Wake, Dave Mark, Elzbieta Jankowska, Derk Brouwer

  International journal of occupational and environmental health. 16(4):399-405.

  Preliminary results of inventories of exposure scenarios for nanomaterials have indicated possible dermal exposure. Within the NANOSH project focused on occupational safety and health aspects ofPreliminary results of inventories of exposure scenarios for nanomaterials have indicated possible dermal exposure. Within the NANOSH project focused on occupational safety and health aspects of nanotechnology a shortened version of the observational DeRmal Exposure AssessMent (DREAM) method was used as an initial method to assess dermal exposure. A total of 45 tasks (such as bagging, dumping, and cleaning) involving different manufactured nanoparticles (MNPs) such as carbon nanotubes, fumed silica, and cerium oxide, were observed in industrial and research facilities. In 39 tasks potential dermal exposure (that is, exposure of the skin and clothing) was likely to occur. Exposure resulted from different routes, including direct contact with MNPs as well as the deposition or transfer of MNPs. The survey showed it is both feasible and useful to assess the potential dermal exposure using shortened DREAM questionnaires.