RESEARCH PAPER
Evaluation of occupational exposure to wood dust among sawmill workers within the Gert Sibande District Municipality, South Africa
1
Department of Life Sciences, Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
2
Department of Clinical Sciences, Central University of Technology, Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Corresponding author
Moeletsi Rathipe
Central University of Technology, Free State, 9 POWER STREET, ERMELO, Private Bag X20539, , Bloemfontein, South Africa
Central University of Technology, Free State, 9 POWER STREET, ERMELO, Private Bag X20539, , Bloemfontein, South Africa
Ann Agric Environ Med. 2022;29(4):483-488
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
Exposure to physical hazards associated with the use of machinery in agriculture and forestry: noise, vibration, dustPrevention of occupational diseases in agriculture, forestry, food industry and wood industry
ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective:
Wood dust is regarded as one of the human carcinogen based on an increased risk of nasal and sinonasal cancer. This study was conducted in two sawmills to measure and determine the time-weighted average (TWA) exposure level to wood dust, and compare the results with the South African occupational exposure limit (OEL).
Material and methods:
Personal and area respirable and total inhalable wood dust samples were collected using calibrated Giliair-3 personal air sampling pump (Sensidyne, USA). Data was analysed using Microsoft Office Excel 2019 Analysis Tool Pak for a summary of descriptive statistics. Both the geometric means and standard deviation as well as the minimum and maximum values were calculated.
Results:
The geometric mean = GM (geometric standard deviation = GSD) for personal respirable wood dust exposure at sawmill A was 0.9(4.8) mg/m3 while at sawmill B – 0.57(0.75) mg/m3. The GM(GSD) for personal total inhalable wood dust exposure at sawmill A was 0.37(0.94) mg/m3 while at sawmill B – 1.19(16.91) mg/m3. Besides that, the GM(GSD) for area respirable wood dust at sawmill A was 0.13(0.09) mg/m 3 , while at sawmill B – 0.8(0.6) mg/m3. Likewise, the GM(GSD) for area total inhalable wood dust at sawmill A was 0.13(0.16) mg/m3 while at sawmill B – 0.54(0.55) mg/m3 .
Conclusions:
Results for the majority of samples were below the OEL. Workers smoking tobacco or cigarettes should be encouraged to stop smoking since smoking, especially when associated with exposure to wood dust, may increase the risk of respiratory health symptoms
Wood dust is regarded as one of the human carcinogen based on an increased risk of nasal and sinonasal cancer. This study was conducted in two sawmills to measure and determine the time-weighted average (TWA) exposure level to wood dust, and compare the results with the South African occupational exposure limit (OEL).
Material and methods:
Personal and area respirable and total inhalable wood dust samples were collected using calibrated Giliair-3 personal air sampling pump (Sensidyne, USA). Data was analysed using Microsoft Office Excel 2019 Analysis Tool Pak for a summary of descriptive statistics. Both the geometric means and standard deviation as well as the minimum and maximum values were calculated.
Results:
The geometric mean = GM (geometric standard deviation = GSD) for personal respirable wood dust exposure at sawmill A was 0.9(4.8) mg/m3 while at sawmill B – 0.57(0.75) mg/m3. The GM(GSD) for personal total inhalable wood dust exposure at sawmill A was 0.37(0.94) mg/m3 while at sawmill B – 1.19(16.91) mg/m3. Besides that, the GM(GSD) for area respirable wood dust at sawmill A was 0.13(0.09) mg/m 3 , while at sawmill B – 0.8(0.6) mg/m3. Likewise, the GM(GSD) for area total inhalable wood dust at sawmill A was 0.13(0.16) mg/m3 while at sawmill B – 0.54(0.55) mg/m3 .
Conclusions:
Results for the majority of samples were below the OEL. Workers smoking tobacco or cigarettes should be encouraged to stop smoking since smoking, especially when associated with exposure to wood dust, may increase the risk of respiratory health symptoms
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors express their thanks to the managements of the sawmills for granting permission to conduct the study, as well as to the workers for their participation in
the study.
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