Determining the exposure of chipper operators to inhalable wood dust

Natascia Magagnotti; Cecilia Nannicini; Gianfranco Sciarra; Raffaele Spinelli; Daniela Volpi

doi:10.1093/annhyg/mes112

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Determining the exposure of chipper operators to inhalable wood dust

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Determining the exposure of chipper operators to inhalable wood dust

Natascia Magagnotti, Cecilia Nannicini, Gianfranco Sciarra, Raffaele Spinelli and Daniela Volpi

Annals of Occupational Hygiene, Vol.57(6), pp.784-792

2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/mes112

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Abstract

Public Health and Health Services

biomass

forestry

inhalable dust exposure

wood chipper measurement

wood dust measurement

The study surveyed wood chipping operations in order to determine the exposure of chipper operators to wood dust and suggest suitable countermeasures. The survey included both industrial and small-scale chipping operations, all located in Central Italy, on the Apennine mountain range. During the survey, 60 samples were collected using standardized methods. For the purpose of the tests, each operator carried a wearable active sampler connected to a suction pump. When operators sat inside an enclosed cab, samples were also collected outside the cab in order to gauge the dust abatement effect of a protected work station. Exposure to dust varied widely with wood conditions and machine productivity, and only occasionally exceeded the 5mg m(-3) legal limit. Operators working inside a cab were three times less exposed than operators working outside, and they were never exposed to concentrations exceeding the legal limit. It is adviceable that people working full-time as chipper operators are positioned inside an enclosed cab, for limiting their exposure to wood dust. Small-scale operators are generally part-timers, which further reduces their long-term exposure.

Details

Title: Determining the exposure of chipper operators to inhalable wood dust
Authors: Natascia Magagnotti (Author) - CNR IVALSA, Italy
Cecilia Nannicini (Author) - OSHA, Italy
Gianfranco Sciarra (Author) - Local Health Unit, Italy
Raffaele Spinelli (Author) - CNR IVALSA, Italy
Daniela Volpi (Author) - OSHA, Italy
Publication details: Annals of Occupational Hygiene, Vol.57(6), pp.784-792
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Date published: 2013
DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mes112
ISSN: 0003-4878
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Industries Research Centre; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99447759302621
Output Type: Journal article

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