Risk Characteristics of Hydrogen Sulphide Exposure in Wastewater Collection and Treatment Related Occupations.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Water and wastewater workers can be exposed to hydrogen sulphide (H2S), with an unpredictable exposure pattern, dominated by sharp peaks. These peaks can often be high above the ceiling value (CV) at 10 ppm.

Methods

We have analyzed self-administrated H2S exposure data among 60 wastewater workers in the Municipality of Trondheim, Norway, from 2015 till 2021. The detection range of the personal alarm equipment used was 1.6 to 100 ppm H2S. The workers were divided in four similar exposed groups (SEGs): wastewater collection net, wastewater treatment plants, wastewater pumping stations and water distribution net.

Results

We identified measurements from 7083 different workdays, approximately 10% of the workdays between 2015 and 2021. Within these, 1295 days had

SUBMITTER: Austigard AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9923040 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature