Brad Prezant

Approximately seven million shipping containers pass through Australian ports annually, sourced from a diverse group of overseas countries. For biological security reasons containers and their contents are often fumigated with gaseous pesticides such as methyl bromide and phosphine. In addition to intentionally added fumigants, the chemicals used in the manufacture or packaging of consumer products may off-gas and accumulate in a sealed container. This presents a potential inhalation hazard to persons entering or unloading shipping containers. Recent studies suggest that air concentrations of residual chemicals are present in container air at levels exceeding commonly used occupational exposure limits, with estimates of the proportion of containers affected ranging from a few per cent to as high as 20–30%Video exposure monitoring with photo ionisation detection was used initially in an attempt to identify peak personal exposures. However, as no peaks were detected by the photo ionisation detector (PID) a total of 131 short-term “peak” personal exposure samples were taken periodically during the unloading or inspection of these containers. In addition, 12 samples representing 2–3 hour time-weighted average (TWA) exposures were collected from 10 workers. Residual chemicals were detected in “peak” personal samples taken in 74 of the 76 containers (97.4%). Toluene was most commonly identified (92.1% of all containers) followed by C2-alkylbenzenes (73.7%) and methyl bromide (68.4%). In eight per cent of the containers levels exceeded the Australian workplace exposure standard (WES) for one of the residual chemicals tested (i.e. chloropicrin, 5.3%; and formaldehyde, 2.6%). In one container the air sample reached the applicable Australian short term exposure levels (STEL) for formaldehyde and in another container the inferred STEL of three times the TWA level for chloropicrin was exceeded. In one-third of all containers at least one of the tested residual chemicals in personal air samples exceeded the Dutch Maximum Allowable Concentration (MAC)—an occupational exposure limit often reported in the literature as most of the previous research has been conducted in the Netherlands. The two most common residual chemicals exceeding the MAC were formaldehyde (19.7%) and methyl bromide (18.4%). Containers with outdoor wooden furniture had the highest levels of residual chemicals. Only one container displayed an external notice that it had been fumigated.

Andrea ’t Mannet je, Neil Pearce, Dave McLean, Jeroen Douwes, Evan Dryson, Chris Walls, Lis El lison  Loschmann, Sunia Foliaki, Aaron Blair, Hans Kromhout, Tania Slater, Paolo Boffetta, Bill Glass , Kerry Cheung, & Bradley Prezant. This study will provide an overview of the occupational causes of cancer in New Zealand. In addition, it will provide easily accessible, quantitative, and New Zealand-specific data on the extent and industrial distribution of occupational exposure to carcinogens. This will not only provide estimates of the number of workers exposed to carcinogens, but will also help determine the key exposures and key industries for which intervention would result in marked improvements in occupational health. This study will also provide new knowledge on interventions and their effectiveness and the perceptions and behaviours regarding health and safety in key New Zealand industries. The study’s stakeholder engagement will result in a greater industry awareness of the occupational cancer problem and the potential benefits of interventions. Finally, this study will build international research partnerships and will increase the occupational health research capacity in New Zealand.

A questionnaire study of office workers at a large University was conducted with the cooperation of a union health and safety committee. Daily exposure to, and perceived health problems from various chemical and ergonomic/physical stressors were obtained from 655 of the 2800 employees. Sitting, uncomfortable furniture, and the use of video display terminals contributed the majority of reported musculoskeletal symptoms. Noise and crowding of people and equipment contributed the majority of mental/emotional symptoms. The effect of these stressors on VDT operators as compared with non-VDT operators was examined. VDT operators experienced significantly more ergonomic/physical stressors resulting in 1 or more health symptoms than on-VDT operators.

To assess wood dust exposures and determinants in joineries and furniture manufacturing and to evaluate the efficacy of specific interventions on dust emissions under laboratory conditions. Also, in a subsequent follow-up study in a small sample of joinery workshops, we aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate a cost-effective and practicable intervention to reduce dust exposures. Personal inhalable dust (n = 201) was measured in 99 workers from 10 joineries and 3 furniture-making factories. To assess exposure determinants, full-shift video exposure monitoring (VEM) was conducted in 19 workers and task-based VEM in 32 workers (in 7 joineries and 3 furniture factories). We assessed the efficacy of vacuum extraction on hand tools and the use of vacuum cleaners instead of sweeping and dry wiping under laboratory conditions. These measures were subsequently implemented in three joinery workshops with 'high' (>4 mg m-3) and one with 'low' (<2 mg m-3) baseline expos...

To assess whether solvent use and workplace practices in the vehicle collision repair industry are associated with symptoms of neurotoxicity in spray painters and panel beaters (auto body repair workers). Neurobehavioural symptoms were assessed using a cross-sectional study design in 370 vehicle collision repair and 211 reference workers using the EUROQUEST questionnaire. Full-shift airborne solvent levels were measured in a subset (n=92) of collision repair workers. Solvent exposures were higher in spray painters than in panel beaters, but levels were below current international exposure standards. Collision repair workers were more likely to report symptoms of neurotoxicity than reference workers with ORs of 2.0, 2.4 and 6.4 (all p<0.05) for reporting ≥5, ≥10 and ≥15 symptoms respectively. This trend was generally strongest for panel beaters (ORs of 2.1, 3.3 and 8.2 for ≥5, ≥10 and ≥15 symptoms respectively). Associations with specific symptom domains showed increased risks for...

A comprehensive peer-reviewed standard of care document addressing the identification, management, and remediation of indoor mould. Over 40 authors from academia, consulting, and government participated in writing this document, published by the American Industrial Hygiene Association and awarded publication of the year by AIHA in 2009.

A questionnaire on the prevalence and characteristics of back pain, tiredness, or fatigue and workplace factors was developed with the Union representing hospital nurses at a large urban hospital in Seattle. Work area in the hospital was weakly related to the prevalence of lumbar back problems, but not thoracic or cervical symptoms. Personal characteristics, lifting behaviour, and training experience were not related to back problems.

Written for the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists Newsletter, this brief review addresses some recent meta-analyses on low level asbestos exposures suggesting that health effects may occur at levels lower than previously thought to be biologically significant.

A questionnaire study of office workers at a large University was conducted with the cooperation of a union health and safety committee.  Daily exposure to, and perceived health problems from various chemical and ergonomic/physical stressors were obtained from 655 of the 2800 employees.  Sitting, uncomfortable furniture, and the use of video display terminals contributed the majority of reported musculoskeletal symptoms.  Noise and crowding of people and equipment contributed the majority of mental/emotional symptoms.  The effect of these stressors on VDT operators as compared with non-VDT operators was examined.  VDT operators experienced significantly more ergonomic/physical stressors resulting in 1 or more health symptoms than on-VDT operators.

For a number of health outcomes identified in the epidemiologic literature as being associated with indoor dampness, we have calculated the percentage of that health outcome likely resulting from indoor dampness, assuming the observed associations to be causal. We have done this for a number of respiratory health outcomes, as well as eczema. This percentage is termed population attributable fraction (PAF). In aggregate, our results suggest that approximately one quarter to one-third of the respiratory health outcomes, in particular those health outcomes associated with asthma, can be explained by indoor dampness. The list of health outcomes for which a PAF was calculated includes exacerbation of pre-existing asthma, new asthma, and increase in symptoms such as cough, wheeze, bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, and eczema. These values are consistent with (or perhaps slightly higher than) those estimated in other countries. For example, a recent estimate found that 21% of current U.S. asthma cases could potentially be attributed to dampness and mould in housing (Mudarri and Fisk 2007). Residential dampness or mould were estimated to be associated with 8%-20% of U.S. respiratory infections (Fisk, Eliseeva et al. 2010). The high end of the range we have calculated for New Zealand (one-third attributable to indoor dampness) is based upon one New Zealand-specific study indicating higher levels of dampness (up to 70%) in a sample of homes with a high proportion of Maori/Pacific Islanders versus 35% in a more representative sample of New Zealand homes (Howden-Chapman, Saville-Smith et al. 2005). While we believe indoor dampness to play an important role in asthma and have included these high estimates based on this single study, we suggest they be interpreted with an appropriate degree of uncertainty. In this report health effects associated with damp and mould are discussed, but not respiratory outcomes associated with indoor cold conditions. The two are often related, though there is some evidence that cold environments may affect health outcomes independent of dampness. Similar calculations for the percentage of a particular health outcome attributed to indoor cold exposure could be performed at a later stage.

Existing Green Building approaches meet ASHRAE standards for minimum outdoor air ventilation rates and indoor humidity, but are typically failing to achieve desired health and productivity goals for occupants. Exceeding these minimal criteria through centralized monitoring of indicators of carbon dioxide (CO2) and moisture (dew point & relative humidity) provides an opportunity to achieve a healthier and more productive indoor environment. We describe the use of a centralized monitoring device for ventilation and moisture, and illustrate the advantages that such an approach can make to further improve health and productivity

Gravimetric measurement of residual surface dust as a quality assurance indicator for remediation acceptance has been suggested by numerous standard of care documents.  This presentation reviews the use, advantages, and disadvantages of this approach, and makes recommendations for validation.

A comparison was undertaken of two techniques for measuring settled dust in water-damaged single-family homes, multi-family homes, public buildings, and schools. One technique utilizes PVC or MCE cassettes and a portable vacuum pump; the other uses a vacuum cleaner to capture dust in aller-gen filter bags. Preliminary results indicate poor correlation between the two different types of settled dust sampling techniques in terms of number of spores recovered per gram of collected settled dust. Species distributions as measured by rank order analysis appear to be better correlated.

Written for the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists Newsletter, this brief review addresses some recent meta-analyses on low level asbestos exposures suggesting that health effects may occur at levels lower than previously thought to be biologically significant.

In order to assess peak exposures to a variety of airborne volatile organic chemicals, a remotely activated grab sampler (RAGS) was developed to capture up to 8 “grab samples” of breathing air, in Tedlar (polyvinylfluoride, PVF) or similar flexible media sampling bags.  Sampling is initiated by a trained observer stationed in a remote location, or could be actuated by a non-trained person, e.g., a building occupant responding to an odour or other type of episodic contamination event.  The RAGS sampler with accompanying backpack has the additional advantage that it can be worn by a person to assess personal exposures to airborne contaminants, with sampling initiated either by that individual or by another person 25-50 meters away. Peak samples and/or time-weighted average samples, or both simultaneously, can be taken.  Analysis of the sample bags is conducted using fixed laboratory instrumentation, such as selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS).

The occupants of an unusual 3-story wing of a hospital, entirely underground, had complaints related to sick building syndrome, including the presence of sewer odors suspected of being entrained from the nearby principal city sewer main and exacerbated by the negatively-balanced pressure deliberately being maintained within the building. Problems with the efficiency of the more than 40 hoods were also suspected. Different types of perfluorocarbon tracer (PFT) sources were deployed on each of the 3 floors, the sewer main, and the hoods. Passive sampling was performed during Tests 1 and 3, over 5-day periods each, to quantify each floors air infiltration and exfiltration rates, the rates of air exchange between the floors, and the source rates of the sewer and hood PFTs entrained into each floor relative to the total source strength deployed. The calculated sewer rates were then equated to a percentage composition of sewer air found at several locations throughout the three floors. Test 2 was performed to verify some of the earlier Test 1 measurements. The ventilation rates determined with the PFT technology were found to be in good agreement with the rated fan capacities and total northwest (NW)-wing air change per hour (ACH) rates were identical in the two primary tests (12.9 ± 1.8 and 12.9 ± 1.6h-1 , respectively). The exhaust air fan rating for Floor 2 was 53,000 cfm (90,000 m 3 /h), comparable to measured values during Tests 1 and 3 of 118,000 ± 33,000 and 117,000 ± 25,000 m 3 /h, respectively; the Floor M1 rating of 32,000 cfm (54,000 m 3 /h) agreed perfectly with the measured values (55,000 ± 8,000 and 48,500 ± 7,000 m 3 /h, respectively). Air exchange between the three floors was nearly absent. The major exchange was about 15% of Floor 1 air flowing to Floor 2, and about 5% to Floor M1, implying that Floor 2 was the most negatively-balanced zone, Floor M1 next, and Floor 1 with the least negative pressure. All else being equal, Floor 2, then, should have had the most problems with soil air and sewer air entrainment and hood performance. An examination of the chromatograms from the analysis of passive samplers placed in several locations on the floors, in the exhaust fan ducts (appropriately shielded), in sewer manholes and building sewer vents, and in several outside air and air intake locations showed the presence not only of the PFTs, but also, in the case of sewer air samples, a unique consistent signature of four prominent peaks. The percentage of sewer air found on each floor, estimated from both the PFT and the "tracers of opportunity", confirmed the conclusion above, namely, areas of Floor 2 had 1 to 2% of the air as sewer air, but Floors 1 and M1, only 0.00 to 0.05% as sewer air. The outside air intake plenum only contained 0.01 to 0.03% sewer air, so the high concentration of sewer air on Floor 2 is consistent with the hypothesized and known negatively-balanced pressures, causing flow reversals and soil air influx. The amount of hood air tracer found on each floor as a percentage of the amount released into hoods on that floor followed the same trend, namely, areas of Floor 2 had 2 to 3% of its hood tracer showing up in the occupied space; Floor 1, 1.5%; and Floor M1, 0.5%. Again it appeared that the negative pressure on Floor 2, and in room NW-220 in particular, was causing performance problems. Even the outside air intake plenum showed significant hood tracer (0.4%) probably from internal re-entrainment. Possible pathways for migration of sewer air pollutants into Room NW-220 were through the soil surrounding the building or through malfunctioning drain traps in the room. Correction of drain trap problems, relocation of three building sewer vents and the laboratory waste line serving Room NW-220, and reduction of the excessive negative pressure in NW-220 through rebalancing, appears to have prevented airflow of unacceptable indoor air contaminants into that area.

A comprehensive peer-reviewed standard of care document addressing the identification, management, and remediation of indoor mould.  Over 40 authors from academia, consulting, and government participated in writing this document, published by the American Industrial Hygiene Association and awarded publication of the year by AIHA in 2009.

Approximately seven million shipping containers pass through Australian ports annually, sourced from a diverse group of overseas countries. For biological security reasons containers and their contents are often fumigated with gaseous pesticides such as methyl bromide and phosphine. In addition to intentionally added fumigants, the chemicals used in the manufacture or packaging of consumer products may off-gas and accumulate in a sealed container. This presents a potential inhalation hazard to persons entering or unloading shipping containers. Recent studies suggest that air concentrations of residual chemicals are present in container air at levels exceeding commonly used occupational exposure limits, with estimates of the proportion of containers affected ranging from a few per cent to as high as 20–30%Video exposure monitoring with photo ionisation detection was used initially in an attempt to identify peak personal exposures. However, as no peaks were detected by the photo ionisation detector (PID) a total of 131 short-term “peak” personal exposure samples were taken periodically during the unloading or inspection of these containers. In addition, 12 samples representing 2–3 hour time-weighted average (TWA) exposures were collected from 10 workers.  Residual chemicals were detected in “peak” personal samples taken in 74 of the 76 containers (97.4%). Toluene was most commonly identified (92.1% of all containers) followed by C2-alkylbenzenes (73.7%) and methyl bromide (68.4%).  In eight per cent of the containers levels exceeded the Australian workplace exposure standard (WES) for one of the residual chemicals tested (i.e. chloropicrin, 5.3%; and formaldehyde, 2.6%). In one container the air sample reached the applicable Australian short term exposure levels (STEL) for formaldehyde and in another container the inferred STEL of three times the TWA level for chloropicrin was exceeded. In one-third of all containers at least one of the tested residual chemicals in personal air samples exceeded the Dutch Maximum Allowable Concentration (MAC)—an occupational exposure limit often reported in the literature as most of the previous research has been conducted in the Netherlands. The two most common residual chemicals exceeding the MAC were formaldehyde (19.7%) and methyl bromide (18.4%). Containers with outdoor wooden furniture had the highest levels of residual chemicals. Only one container displayed an external notice that it had been fumigated.

A questionnaire on the prevalence and characteristics of back pain, tiredness, or fatigue and workplace factors was developed with the Union representing hospital nurses at a large urban hospital in Seattle.  Work area in the hospital was weakly related to the prevalence of lumbar back problems, but not thoracic or cervical symptoms.  Personal characteristics, lifting behaviour, and training experience were not related to back problems.