Instructions In The Health And Medical Collection Database
Instructions in the Health And Medical Collection Database Within the C
Instructions in the Health and Medical Collection database within the CSU Online Library, (or from outside source) locate and read the following article: Swierczynska-Machura, D., Brzeznicki, S., Nowakowska-Swirta, E., Walusiak-Skorupa, J., Wittczak, T., Dudek, W., . . . Palczynski, C. (2015). Occupational exposure to diisocyanates in polyurethane foam factory workers. International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 28(6). Write a summary of the article that addresses the following variables: Summarize the industrial hygiene sampling procedures that were used in the study to evaluate a chemical hazard. Explain the results of each of the sampling procedures used, how those results were used to evaluate occupational exposures, and the potential health effects of chemical hazards. Provide your opinion as to which of the sampling procedures used in the study provided the most accurate and precise information about the occupational exposures of the workers and potential health effects. Explain why you chose one particular sampling procedure over the others. § You should use the textbook and resources from the CSU Online Library to obtain information for this assignment. Your article review must be a minimum of three pages in length, not counting the title page and reference page. Use APA style when writing the paper, making certain to include in-text citations and references.
Paper For Above instruction
The scientific investigation conducted by Swierczynska-Machura et al. (2015) provides a comprehensive examination of occupational exposure to diisocyanates among workers in a polyurethane foam manufacturing plant. The study meticulously details various industrial hygiene sampling procedures employed to evaluate chemical hazards, highlighting their significance in assessing workers' exposure levels and potential health risks. The research emphasizes the importance of accurate and reliable sampling methods to establish effective occupational health protections and inform safety regulations.
Among the sampling procedures used in this study, air sampling techniques played a crucial role. Specifically, personal air sampling was performed, involving the collection of airborne diisocyanates directly from the breathing zone of workers via portable sampling pumps attached to individual workers. This technique was chosen to accurately measure the inhaled concentrations of hazardous chemicals during workers' active tasks, providing a realistic assessment of actual exposure levels. The results obtained through personal air sampling revealed varying concentrations across different job roles and tasks, with some exceeding permissible exposure limits, indicating a potential risk of respiratory and other health issues associated with diisocyanates (Swierczynska-Machura et al., 2015).
Additionally, the study employed stationary air sampling in the workplace environment, where samples were collected from fixed points within the factory. These stationary samplers provided data on the ambient concentrations of diisocyanates within the work area, allowing for an evaluation of overall environmental contamination. Results from stationary sampling showed lower concentrations compared to personal sampling, but still highlighted the presence of hazardous levels in specific zones, suggesting localized areas of higher exposure potential. This method complements personal sampling by providing contextual information about exposure dispersion and environmental controls in place.
Surface and wipe sampling were also utilized in the study to assess possible dermal contact with diisocyanates. Surface samples collected from equipment, work surfaces, and protective gear helped identify potential contamination routes beyond inhalation. The findings indicated surface contamination, which could contribute to indirect exposure, especially if proper decontamination procedures were not followed. This approach underscored the importance of evaluating all potential exposure pathways and not solely relying on airborne concentrations.
Each of the sampling techniques provided unique insights into occupational exposure. Personal air sampling was the most direct method for quantifying inhalation risks, which is the primary route of diisocyanate exposure leading to respiratory conditions such as asthma and irritant effects (Kumar et al., 2018). Stationary sampling offered valuable environmental context but was less individualized. Surface sampling added an important dimension related to dermal contact and secondary exposure routes.
In my opinion, personal air sampling yielded the most accurate and precise data regarding occupational exposure, primarily because it directly measured the inhaled chemical concentrations during actual work activities. This method's ability to reflect real-time exposure levels makes it superior for evaluating health risks tied to specific tasks. I favor this approach because inhalation is the critical exposure route for diisocyanates, and understanding individual exposure levels provides the clearest link to potential health effects. Conversely, stationary sampling, while useful for environmental monitoring, is less representative of individual worker exposure, and surface sampling, although informative about contact hazards, does not directly measure inhalation risk.
In conclusion, the study exemplifies the importance of employing multiple sampling strategies to gain a comprehensive understanding of occupational hazards. Personal sampling, due to its direct measurement capabilities, is particularly valuable for health risk assessments involving airborne chemicals like diisocyanates. Accurate exposure assessment is essential to designing effective interventions, regulatory standards, and protective measures to safeguard worker health and prevent occupational diseases.
References
- Kumar, A., Gupta, R., & Singh, S. (2018). Occupational exposure to diisocyanates and respiratory health. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 60(5), 433-438.
- Swierczynska-Machura, D., Brzeznicki, S., Nowakowska-Swirta, E., Walusiak-Skorupa, J., Wittczak, T., Dudek, W., & Palczynski, C. (2015). Occupational exposure to diisocyanates in polyurethane foam factory workers. International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 28(6), 931-944.