Determination and Prediction of Respirable Dust and Crystalline-Free Silica in the Taiwanese Foundry Industry.

ABSTRACT: Background: Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) has been recognized as a human carcinogen; however, the measurement and analysis of RCS in small-scale foundries is rare and difficult. This study aimed to measure respirable dust and RCS levels among 236 foundry workers in Taiwan and used these data to establish predictive models for personal exposure. Methods: Personal sampling of various production processes were measured gravimetrically and analyzed using the X-ray diffraction method. Multiple linear regression was used to establish predictive models. Results: Foundry workers were exposed to geometric means and geometric standard deviations of 0.52 ± 4.0 mg/m³ and 0.027 ± 15 mg/m³ for respirable dust and RCS, respectively. The highest exposure levels were observed amo

SUBMITTER: Kuo CT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6210212 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature