Biomedical subjects

J A Krajewski

Publications and source records attributed to J A Krajewski.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

[Alive microorganism in the workplace ambient air in plants disposing communal waste].

This paper presents the results of the identification and determination of alive microorganisms in the air samples collected from the breath zone of workers employed in the waste collection and disposal. Samples were taken during waste collection and in the waste reloading, sorting and composting plants. In addition, samples were taken at stationary sites: in the city and inside flats. Different kinds of species of Gram-positive bacteria (Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, Bacillus, Listeria, Corynebacterium, Rhodococcus) and Gram-negative rods (Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas and other aerobic bacteria) were found. On every work site, there were fecal bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium). The city areas and flats were free from this kind of bacteria. The number of mesophilic bacteria and thread-like fungi exceeding 10(4) cfu/m3 of air was counted on every work site. The largest number of mesophilic bacteria and Actinomycetes were found in the waste composting plant (10(4)-10(6) and 10(3)-10(5) cfu/m3, respectively), whereas the majority of fungal spores were counted during waste collection and sorting. (10(4)-10(5) cfu/m3). On the city streets there were no Actinomycetes and the number of fungal spores (10(4)/m3 of air) was similar to that observed in the waste reloading and composting plants. The amount of mesophilic bacteria in the city and flat samples was below 10(2)-10(3) cfu/m3. As to the number of fungal spores and Actinomycetes there was a limit of determination (10(1)-10(2) cfu/m3). The majority of mesopholic bacteria identified in the air were classified as the second group of occupational risk in the Council Directive 54/2000/EU. Bearing in mind that Gram-negative rods (especially intestinal) were identified in all samples, it is suggested to use endotoxin concentration as one of possible criteria for assessing the hygiene conditions at workplaces.

Air Microbiology↗

PubMed2001

[Assessment of exposure to bioaerosols in workplace ambient air during municipal waste collection and disposal].

The assessment of the exposure to bioaerosols among workers engaged in the collection and disposal of municipal waste is presented. The workers were divided into the following groups, depending on the job performed: waste collectors (loaders, drivers), composting plant workers (heavy equipment operators, waste site workers), sorters (heavy equipment operators, waste sorters) and landfill site workers (heavy equipment operators, weighers). Air samples were also collected on the city streets and in flats. They were reference points to the results obtained. Air samples were collected at the breathing zone. The concentrations of dust, viable microorganisms (mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria, and fungi), endotoxins and the total number of microbiol cells were determined. The highest, individual exposure to dust was found in composting plant workers and waste collectors. The values exceeded considerably maximum allowable concentrations (by ten times at composting plant). The mean values for the above listed groups also exceeded the concentration of 4 mg/m3. Dust concentrations at other workposts were substantially lower. The concentrations in the city streets and in flats maintained at the level of 0.1 mg/m3. Endotoxin concentration at a protecting upper airway inflammation level (10 ng/m3) was exceeded in the majority (above 50%) of samples. That is why the average concentration in individual groups was also higher than 10 ng/m3. Street and flat samples included endotoxins at the level of 1 ng/m3. Taking as a criterion the obligatory total dust and endotoxin MAC value of 10 ng/m3 for assessing work hygiene conditions, it should be stated that waste collectors and composting plant workers were employed in conditions of poor hygiene.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

[Hazardous health effects in communal waste collection and disposal workers].

This paper presents a review of the current literature concerning health impact of communal waste in people occupationally involved in waste collection and disposal. No studies have been as yet carried out in this regard. This review indicates that the main hazards for workers collecting and disposing communal wastes comprise organic dust with adsorbed micro-organisms, endotoxins, and numerous organic and inorganic chemicals. The major health effects associated with the job performed include injuries caused by work-related accidents and diseases. Among the most frequent diseases there are allergic and other diseases of the respiratory system, as well as musculo-skeletal, gastro-intestinal and infectious diseases. Complex hygiene assessment and control of work conditions are difficult due to the lack of hygiene standards for micro-organisms and endotoxins in the air of the workplace. No studies have been carried out thus far in Poland regarding exposure and health effects in workers collecting and disposing communal wastes. According to the information available, this problem concerns several thousands employees.

Hazardous Waste↗

PubMed2000

[Characteristics of jobs and workers employed in municipal waste collection and disposal by the city of Lodz].

Characteristics of jobs and workers engaged in the collection and disposal of waste was based on a specially developed questionnaire. Five occupational groups were selected: domestic waste collectors, waste relading workers, waste composting workers, waste sorting workers, workers at landfill sites. In addition, five job posts were selected: heavy equipment operators, waste sites workers, waste loaders, waste sorters and waste truck drivers. The analysis of characteristics revealed that among job-related burdens reported by the workers the following were found most noxious: repugnant odour, high dust concentrations, required physical effort and changing atmospheric conditions. Nevertheless, the workers in question did not claim any occupation-related illnesses or symptoms. The majority of respondents assessed their health as good or very good.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Safety health conditions for disposal of waste generated during the production of barium and boron compounds].

The authors proposed an approach to calculating maximum concentrations of dust in the ambient air that may occur during digging, loading and transportation of barium and boron wastes containing a variety of metallic compounds, including arsenic and nickel. In addition, they listed conditions which should be fulfilled in view of binding legal regulations, in order to ensure that the work performed does not create any health risk. It was recognized that maintaining dust concentrations in the air below 5 mg/m3 should protected workers against the potential risk during their work.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

PubMed1997

[Chemical accidents and catastrophes as a source of the greatest hazard to the environment and human health in Poland].

The author presents sources of the greatest chemical hazards to the environment in Poland, among which industry and transport occupy the first two places. The availability of data and information on chemical hazards to the environment and the human health are discussed. Legislation, organisation and competences of institutions designed to prevent and mitigate the outcomes of chemical disasters are outlined. It was found that in Poland a possible danger of chemical disasters with serious consequences for the people and environment does really exist. Certain industrial installations as well as road and railway transport belong to the major threats. Among chemicals, ammonia, chlorine, sulphur dioxide and phosgene are considered as most dangerous. In Poland the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Natural Resources and Forestry are legally responsible for prevention and mitigation of the outcomes of chemical disasters.

Disaster Planning↗

PubMed1994

[Principles of assessing health and environmental risk in view of directives issued by the EEC].

The Directive 93/67/EEC on the principles for assessment of health and environmental risks associated with the traffic of newly introduced chemicals was discussed. The Directive applies to so called new chemicals which require notification in countries of the European Community. Risk assessment is essential for risk management which comprises control, prevention and reduction of harmful effects of chemicals on the human health and environment. In Poland an act on chemicals is being drafted which will, among others, include the provisions on health and environmental risk assessment. The principles presented for risk assessment and methods for identifying the hazard, assessing the magnitude of exposure as well as the characterisation of risk and development of criteria for drawing final conclusions can be, in opinion of the authors, adapted to the Polish legal regulations. It is suggested to built up a subject matter background and to publish guidelines on the magnitude of admissible risk acceptable to populations exposed, manufacturers and importers as well as to the state administration. An admissible risk should be specified for all health and environmental effects and for groups of exposed population stratified according to age and health state.

Environmental Monitoring↗

PubMed1994

[Assessment and monitoring of chemical substances "existing" over the territory of the European Union].

The author discuss legal regulations on supplementing information about physical, chemical, toxic and onco-toxic properties of the so called "existing" chemicals, adapted by the European Economic Community. The Chemical Substances Act is being now drafted in Poland. This will be related with the introduction of the category of "existing" chemicals. The performance adapted by the EEC may serve as an example how to solve this problem in our country. It is suggested that a list of chemicals produced in Poland and imported from other countries be developed. This list will serve as a basis for establishing of the national priority list of chemicals which should be taken into consideration in setting up plans for supplementing indispensable information about chemicals present in Poland. It seems that adaptation of a criterion for identifying priorities (magnitude of production and import) similar to that of the EEC is not only justified from the substantial point of view but it is also of a very practical value. Establishment of cooperation with a relevant EEC Commission is considered as the best way to obtain information about chemicals used in Poland.

Environmental Exposure↗

PubMed1992

[Principles of developing the register of chemical substances in Poland].

The author present the principles for establishing the register of chemical substances in Poland. After considering different world's registers of chemical compound it was observed that the rules of creating this sort of register in the USA are most suitable for the Polish demands. It was suggested that the criterion of classifying a given substance to the register should be the chemical's content 100 kg. For the substances known as cancerogenic this threshold level is going to be 5 kg. Moreover, the principles and a schedule for preparing such a register are specified. One of the most important conditions that must be fulfilled in order to establish the register is applying the relevant legal regulations.

Drug Information Services↗

PubMed1991

[Chemical safety (IV)--legal basis for control].

This work reviews the legal regulations constituting the basis for control of chemical substances present in the working and natural environment as well as in food and utility products in Poland. It has been found that there are many regulations which comply with legislative needs. However, a lack of general regulation on the protection of human health and the environment against the noxious effects of chemicals is widely acknowledged. The unsatisfactory condition of human health and environment in Poland may be attributed to the fact that the existing standards are often disregarded. The authors are of the opinion that implementation of an organizational and legal system of chemical safety would be an important step towards improving the existing situation.

Environmental Exposure↗

PubMed1990

Project on chemical safety in Poland.

This work focuses on main aspects of a proposed system of chemical safety in Poland. General principles have been formulated, including theoretical guidelines, definitions and functions. Additionally, organizational and legislative structures have been proposed. A basic principal of the system says that each activity related to the application of chemical compounds creates a risk of adverse health and environmental effects. According to the definition adopted, chemical safety means such levels of chemical compounds in the environment, coming from various sources, which ensure that the risk of adverse health effects and other negative effects will not surpass socially acceptable levels. The chemical safety system is aimed at preventing and limiting the risk of undesirable health and environmental effects from chemical compounds. It is proposed that the system be coordinated by the National Coordinating Committee on Chemical Safety. The most urgent task of the Committee would be to draft a law on human health protection against the harmful effects of chemical compounds.

Environmental Exposure↗

PubMed1990

[Chemical safety (III)--its prospects in Poland].

The paper discusses principles of the chemical safety system to be introduced in Poland. It is thought that the system should be based on a doctrine comprising theoretical considerations, definitions of concepts and scope of activity. Moreover, the organizational and legal background of the future system was also considered. According to the main principle of the chemical safety system, any activity, involving the use of chemicals gives rise to a risk of adverse health and environmental effects. The numerical value that can be assigned to such risk ranges between 0 and 1. Thus an essential activity related to chemical safety seems to be the determination of a socially acceptable risk. Chemical safety has been defined as an environmental state where the chemical substances of different origin pose either no risk of adverse health and environmental effects or the risk whose level is socially acceptable. The chemical safety system aims at limiting or preventing the risk arising from the use of chemicals. It is suggested that the activities of the future system should be supervised by the National Coordinating Committee for Chemical Safety which would stimulate both the research work on risk assessment and management as well as other activities pertaining to chemical safety.

Chemical Industry↗

PubMed1988

[Chemical safety (1): The origin of the problem].

The genesis of the vast problem--of cognitive and applicatory nature--referred to as chemical safety, has been presented. Chemical safety studies involve all possible sources of man's exposure to chemical compounds, which is aimed at an effective control of adverse health effects. The authors have set up a definition according to which chemical safety occurs where exposure to chemical compounds coming from various sources causes a specific health risk not higher than the socially accepted level. The contribution of Poland to the International Program of Chemical Safety (IPCS) should promote the exchange of experiences and access to scientific and technological information.

Chemical Industry↗

PubMed1988

[Chemical safety (II)--Methodologic and practical problems].

Main components of the problem of chemical safety, their role and aims as well as their mutual relations are presented. Need to create a register of chemical compounds and necessity to set up an information centre which would help functioning the whole system are justified. Risk assessment is believed to be the main aspect of cognitive activities aimed at determining the probability of occurrence of harmful consequences of exposure. Risk assessment is a set of complex legal, organizational and administrative undertakings supposed to reduce the hazards resulting from exposure to chemicals. Necessity to calculate costs and benefits coming from the undertaking and need to analyse social perception of risk which is important for preventive action are justified. What is stressed is the significance of a widespread education aimed at forming attitudes towards chemical hazards.

Drug Information Services↗

PubMed1987

Identification of priorities for chemical hazard control.

The paper presents the components of the problem of chemical safety as well as the criteria for setting priorities for chemical hazard control. Chemical safety comprises risk identification, estimation, evaluation, and management. The first three issues constitute an integral part known as risk assessment. Their implementation allows to determine the nature, magnitude and distribution of diseases resulting from exposure to chemicals as well as to compare the risk assessed with other socially accepted risks. Risk management can be considered in terms of risk control and decision-making. Risk control refers to the surveillance of the compliance with rules regarding environmental protection, occupational hygiene, nutritional hygiene, and other regulations confining man's exposure to toxic compounds in production, use, waste disposal, and contingency planning. Within the decision-making process, costs and benefits are calculated, as related to the production, possible changes in technology, and protective measures. At that stage, evaluation of existing regulatory controls is essential, as is the decision-making in relation to new or supplementary legal acts. Priority setting is essential for chemical safety. This activity is aimed at rational allocation of financial means for national policy designed to meet social requirements within health care. What is of vital importance is the determination of priority setting criteria. The primary criteria include: biological effects of the chemical concerned, environmental impact, production volume, distribution, and the population exposed. Of value are also some sociological factors such as identification and social acceptance of risk. The paper presents the principles of priority setting.

Chemical Industry↗