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At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Field comparison of inhalable and total dust samplers for assessing airborne dust in swine confinement barns.

Inhalable and total dust sampling devices were compared for evaluating airborne dust in swine confinement buildings. Measurements from three swine facilities (n = 77 paired means) were obtained by area sampling using the IOM (Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, U.K.) inhalable dust sampler and a 37-mm closed-face total (TCF) dust sampler. The overall geometric mean IOM concentration (1.18 mg/m(3), geometric standard deviation [GSD] = 2.00) was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than the overall geometric mean TCF concentration (1.08 mg/m(3), GSD = 1.98). Regression analysis with IOM and TCF values as independent and dependent variables, respectively, yielded a factor of 0.86 (+/-0.04 95% confidence interval), which can be used to estimate TCF values from the IOM measurements. Additional paired sampling data were obtained to compare the following pairs of dust samplers: (1) IOM sampler and conical inhalable sampler (CIS) (n = 20 paired means), (2) IOM and open-face total (TOF) dust samplers (n = 14), (3) CIS and TCF samplers (n = 19), and (4) TCF and TOF samplers (n = 8). Paired t-tests showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher IOM concentrations than the CIS sampler; no significant difference (P > 0.05) was found for the other three pairs compared. It may be necessary to establish work-specific conversion coefficients to obtain a reasonable estimate of worker exposure to total dust from measurements using other types of dust sampling devices.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2001

Current indoor allergen levels of fungi and cats, but not house dust mites, influence allergy and asthma in adults with high dust mite exposure.

We assessed the influence of current indoor levels of fungi, house dust mite allergen (Der p 1), and cat allergen (Fel d 1) on sensitization and asthma in adults. A total of 485 adults answered a questionnaire and had skin prick tests and lung function tests. Dust and air samples were collected from their bedrooms. The dust was analyzed for Der p 1, Fel d 1, and fungal biomass (ergosterol). Fungal propagules were measured in air samples. Current asthma was defined as having wheezed during the past 12 mo plus bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) to methacholine. High exposure to total airborne fungi was associated with increased BHR, but perhaps paradoxically with a lower risk of being sensitized to fungi. Ergosterol levels in floor dust were a risk factor both for being sensitized to fungi and having wheezed within the last year. High Fel d 1 levels in floor dust were found to increase the risk of being sensitized to cats and in beds to increase the risk of current asthma. Although Der p 1 levels in homes were high, people exposed to high Der p 1 levels in floor dust were less likely to be sensitized to house dust mites or to have wheezed within the past year. Current indoor levels of fungi and Fel d 1, but not Der p 1, influenced sensitization and asthma in adults with high dust mite exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Use of an amplified ELISA technique for detection of a house dust mite allergen (Der f 1) in skin and coat dust samples from dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To use an amplified ELISA technique to document the presence and quantify the concentration of the house dust mite allergen, Der f 1, in skin and coat dust samples collected from dogs. ANIMALS: 29 pet dogs of various breeds. PROCEDURE: Dogs were weighed, and body surface area in square meters was determined. Skin and coat dust samples were obtained by vacuuming dogs. Collected dust was analyzed by use of standard and amplified ELISA techniques. RESULTS: By use of the standard ELISA technique, Der f 1 was detected in skin and coat dust samples from 6 of 29 (21%) dogs. Mean concentration of Der f 1 in the 6 samples with positive assay results was 16.16 ng/mL (range, 5.61 to 31.24 ng/mL). Samples with negative assay results were retested for dust mite allergen by use of an amplified ELISA technique; an additional 14 dogs had positive assay results. Mean concentration of allergen was 0.36 ng/mL (range, 0.19 to 2.20 ng/mL). Combining both techniques, 20 of 29 (69%) dogs had positive assay results for Der f 1. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of our study indicate that house dust mite allergens are present on the skin and in the coat of dogs, and this source of allergen may act as a reservoir for allergen exposure in hypersensitive dogs. Use of an amplified ELISA technique to determine environmental concentrations of house dust mite allergens in homes and on dogs will help to identify the relationship between immunologic findings and environmental exposures in dogs with atopic dermatitis.

Allergens↗
PubMed1996

[Analysis on the tendency of practical dust exposure year and the out-of-dust rate among coalminers].

It is important to study the practical dust exposure year and out-of-dust rate for the evaluation of dust level and to predict pneumoconiosis incidence in coal miners. A Retrospective Cohort Study was carried out on the calculation of practical dust exposure year and the out-of-dust rate among coal miners employed during 1958-1988 in a mine. The results showed that job variety had a strong effect on dust exposure year and that out-of-dust rate beared relationship to the years of employment. It can be estimated that the percentage of coalminers who were employed in 1975-1979 with dust exposure year reached 20 years would be less than 30%, and that those being employed after 1980 would be even lesser.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Ejection of dust by elastic waves in collisions between millimeter- and centimeter-sized dust aggregates at 16.5 to 37.5 m/s impact velocities.

We report on experiments in which millimeter-sized Si O2 dust aggregates consisting of (sub)-micrometer-sized grains impact into centimeter-sized targets that consist of the same kind of dust particles. The porosity of the granular targets is between 74% and 88%. Impact speeds are between 16.5 and 37.5 m/s with most impacts around 25 m/s . Compaction of the target by the impacting dust aggregate creates a crater which is several millimeters deep and 2-3 cm in diameter. We do not detect a significant amount of ejecta originating at the crater. We do observe a large amount of ejecta though. These are dust granules that are ejected from the whole target surface up to significant distances away from the impact site. This implies that elastic waves induced by the impact are an efficient mechanism to eject material. The estimated mass of these ejecta can be larger than 10 times the projectile mass. The ejecta velocity is uniform across the surface. It is typically 0.5% of the impact velocity. We apply these results to the problem of planetesimal formation. Under microgravity ablation of a dusty body or mass gain in a dust-dust collision might result. This depends on the parameters of the impact. Due to the low ejecta velocities, net growth is also possible in secondary collisions after an eroding primary collision if the body is placed in a gas flow. Thus, for a large number of typical conditions for dust-dust collisions in protoplanetary disks, formation of a larger body results from an impact.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Inorganic analysis of dust fall and office dust in an industrial area of Jordan.

This article deals with the determination and comparison of heavy metals and water-soluble anions and cations in indoor dust and outdoor dust fall in the petroleum refinery area in Jordan. Three sampling sites were considered in the Jordanian petroleum refinery complex for the collection of dust fall and office dust samples. These samples were analyzed for water-soluble anions (F-, Cl-, Br-, NO3-, C2O4(2-), and SO4(2-)) and cations (Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+) using auto-suppressed ion chromatography. Heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, Fe, and Al) were determined using flame or graphite-furnace atomic absorption. No correlations were found between heavy metal concentrations in dust fall and office dust samples, indicating different sources. High enrichment factors for heavy metals were found in dust-fall samples, except for Fe and Cr. Zinc showed the highest and cadmium the lowest flux rates.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1996

Comparative study of an inhalable and a total dust sampler for personal sampling of dust and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the gas and particulate phase.

For many years the closed-face plastic cassette has been widely used for monitoring 'total' dust in working atmospheres. In the late 1980s a different personal sampler was developed at the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Edinburgh. This so-called IOM sampler was designed to meet the criteria for inhalable dust (EN 481). In this work, a comparison of the closed-face 25 mm Gelman total dust sampler and the IOM inhalable sampler was made for exposure measurements of dust and PAHs among workers in an electrode paste plant. The two samplers were modified in order to permit sampling of both particulate and gas-phase PAHs. Three groups with different tasks were examined. The particle size distribution was determined using personal inhalable dust spectrometers and the GRIMM particle counter. The results showed that higher concentrations of dust and particulate PAHs were measured with the IOM inhalable sampler than the Gelman total dust sampler and the difference between the samplers was significant. This is in agreement with previously reported studies. In some samples collected with the IOM sampler very large particles were observed. There was no significant difference between volatile PAHs measured with the two samplers. For semi-volatile PAHs a significant difference between the samplers was observed, which was ascribed to evaporation loss from the filters during storage.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2002

Total dust, respirable dust, and microflora toxin concentrations in Colorado corn storage facilities.

To aid in the process of characterizing corn dust exposures on farms and in elevators in northeastern Colorado, several parameters were examined. Total dust and respirable dust samples were collected and evaluated. Potentially dangerous dust components evaluated were respirable silica, endotoxin, and mycotoxin levels. Many of the total dust samples (58%) would have exceeded 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) had sampling been conducted for 8 hours; on farms the operation takes between two and four hours. The same statement may be made for respirable dust samples collected for this project. Nearly 33 percent of the respirable dust samples collected would have exceeded the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) TWA had sampling been conducted over an 8-hour period. Respirable silica standards were exceeded at 25 percent of the sampling locations. Presence of mycotoxins at all sites was confirmed by the use of ELISA kits. The most significant finding of this study was high levels of endotoxin at several of the sampling sites. Eighty-five percent of the sampling locations had endotoxin levels above 500 EU/m3. One location, Farm 4, had endotoxin levels of above 1.7 million EU/m3.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1990

Organic dust toxic syndrome: an acute febrile reaction to organic dust exposure distinct from hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Organic dust toxic syndrome is a term recently coined to describe a noninfectious, febrile illness associated with chills, malaise, myalgia, a dry cough, dyspnea, headache and nausea which occurs after heavy organic dust exposure. Organic dust toxic syndrome shares many clinical features with acute farmer's lung and other forms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, including the presence of increased numbers of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage. However, organic dust toxic syndrome differs from acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis in several respects: the chest X-ray does not show infiltrates, severe hypoxemia does not occur, prior sensitization to antigens in the organic dust is not required and there are no known sequelae of physiological significance, such as the recurrent attacks and the pulmonary fibrosis which may be seen with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Organic dust toxic syndrome is thought to be much more common than farmer's lung. It is important for clinical and investigational purposes that organic dust toxic syndrome be distinguished from acute farmer's lung.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1975

Further studies in allergenic identity between house dust and the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae Hughes, 1961.

The sera from 99 Japanese asthmatic subjects were studied for the allergenic similarity between house dust and the House-dust Mite, Dermatophagoides farinae Hughes, 1961. A close correlation (correlation coefficient 0.92, P less than 0.01) was obtained between house dust and the mite with the radioallergosorbent test (RAST). High correlation was not noted between house dust and other allergens such as smoky brown cockroach, Periplaneta fuliginosa, Aspergillus, book lice, Liposcelis bostricophilus, Cheyletus malaccensis and Tribolium confusum. IgE antibody to the mite reduced significantly after the incubation of the sera with house dust and IgE antibody to house dust reduced markedly after the incubation of the sera with the mite. These results further support the view that the mite is the most important allergenic component in house dust.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Dust exposure in a pottery plant assessed by using GRIMM dust monitor].

In one of the pottery plants in which pneumoconiosis was the only certified occupational disease (16 cases during the years 1984-1997), the concentrations of dust in inhalable, thoracic and respirable fractions were measured at most characteristic workplaces. The highest concentrations in all the three fractions was found in the slip house; the mean concentrations were as follows: inhalable dust-7231.8 mg/m3; thoracic fraction--4834.9 mg/m3; and respirable fraction 1402.2 mg/m3. High concentrations of all the dust fractions were also observed at the workplace of the intershop transport worker who removed the waste body from cast and throw shops. The largest number of pneumoconiosis (7) cases was found among the workers of the slip house (20 persons employed); this was followed by the intershop transport workers-4 cases (4 persons employed). At the other workplaces (cast shop, throw shop and firing), concentrations of inhalable dust ranged from 1175 to 3232 mg/m3; thoracic from 726 to 2001 mg/m3; and respirable from 146 to 549 mg/m3. The contents of free crystalline silica (SiO2) in the air dust ranged from 3% in firing to 50% in slip house, in the latter mostly in the form of quartz or cristobalite. The main fraction of inhalable dust was the tracheobronchial fraction, ranging from 43.1 to 48.2%, the extrathoracic fraction ranged from 32.8 to 42.3% and respirable fraction from 11.8 to 21.6%. On the basis of the graphic record, such activities as pouring of raw materials into grinding mill and reloading of the waste body were identified at the workplaces of slip making and internship transport as those associated with the highest dust emission.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2004

[The material character of sand dust and analysis on the cause of formation of the sand-dust storm in northeast district in spring of 2002].

The paper analyzed the particle distribution, pollen combination of sand dust storm in northeast district in spring, 2002. It was found that there is abundant pollen, based on pollen combination sand source at new angle can be analyzed, and the distribution laws of the bowling sand and sand dust storm in season, in yearly, in geological periods and mankind historic periods can be explained. The blowing sand and sand dust storm often appeared in geological period and mankind historic period in northeast district, and mainly appeared in winter and in spring and they dropped fluctuationally in fifty years. The frequency of the sand dust storm increased since 2000. The frequency of blowing sand and sand dust storm was controlled by the strength of the monsoon wind in winter. Which the Enino and anti-Enino alternately occurs was influenced by the periodic change of the strength of monsoon wind in winter in Eastern Asia. The cold and dry climate combination in winter and spring was favorable of the occurrence of sand dust weather. The frequency of the sand dust weather will not obviously increase in several years.

Dust↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The dust and microbial content in a horse stable during the use of a dust-binding agent].

Dust in horse barns is assumed to contribute to pulmonary disease, it is attempted to reduce the airborne dust by soaking or sprinkling the hay before feeding. Both means cause considerable efforts and increase the relative humidity of the air. This is why a commercial dust-binding agent (Revesto pur) was used in a pilot investigation which was carried out during 2 weeks - one week for control and one week using the agent - in a private horse barn where three horses were regularly stable. The airborne dust was measured by a continuously working instrument. Once a day (7.00 a.m.) the number of airborne germs was estimated. The dust is reduced to 0.03 mg/m3 during the night, (8.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.), as compared to the control (0.05 mg/m3). However, the total dust content during 24 h increases after spraying with the aid of the instruments supplied by the manufacturer to 0.12 mg/m3 (control 0.07 mg/m3). The airborne germs show a decreasing tendency after application of the agent. The use of the sprayers is very time-consuming, their use inside of the barn obviously increases the particles in the air. Thus, it seems advisable to spray outside of the stable. Further investigations are necessary in order to evaluate whether the reduction of the dust during night which was indicated in this study may have a positive clinical effect.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1992

Dust exposure and pneumoconiosis in a South African pottery. 1. Study objectives and dust exposure.

Dust exposure and pneumoconiosis were investigated in a South African pottery that manufactured wall tiles and bathroom fittings. This paper describes the objectives of the investigation and presents dust measurement data. x Ray diffraction showed that the clays used by the pottery had a high quartz content (range 58%-23%, mean 38%). Exposure to respirable dust was measured for 43 workers and was highest (6.6 mg/m3) in a bathroom fitting fettler. Quartz concentrations in excess of 0.1 mg/m3 were found in all sections of the manufacturing process from slip production to biscuit firing and sorting. The proportion of quartz in the respirable dust of these sections was 24% to 33%. This is higher than is usually reported in English potteries. Four hundred and six (80%) of the 509 workers employed at the pottery were potentially at risk of occupational lung disease. The finding of large numbers of pottery workers exposed to unacceptable dust concentrations is not surprising as poor dust control was found in all six wall tile and sanitary ware factories surveyed by the National Centre for Occupational Health between 1973 and 1989. Dust related occupational disease can be expected in potters for many years to come.

Air↗
PubMed2003

Raman lidar monitoring of extinction and backscattering of African dust layers and dust characterization.

Results on the monitoring of strong African dust outbreaks at Lecce in the southeastern corner of Italy (40 degrees 20' N, 18 degrees 6' E) during May 2001 are presented. This activity has been performed in the framework of the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET). The lidar station of Lecce is located on a flat rural area that is approximately 800 km from the northern Africa coast. So it is closer to Africa than most of all other EARLINET stations and allow monitoring African dust transport early in its life cycle, at all levels in the plume. An elastic-backscatter Raman lidar based on a XeF excimer laser (351 nm) has been used to monitor the time evolution and vertical structure of the dust layers and get independent measurements of the aerosol extinction and backscatter coefficients. The findings are presented in terms of vertical profiles of the extinction and backscatter coefficients and of the lidar ratio. A quite deep dust layer extending between 2 and 6 km and characterized by a backscatter coefficient of approximately 0.0016 (km sr)(-1), a lidar ratio of approximately 50 sr, and an aerosol optical depth of 0.26 was observed on 17 May 2001 between 18:55 and 20:07 UT. The layer persisted for approximately five days. Dust layers of lower optical thickness and shorter persistence time have generally been monitored at the lidar site during African dust outbreaks. Results on the chemical and morphological characterization of the dust collected at the lidar station are also given to further support the origin of the monitored aerosol layers.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

How relevant are house dust mite-fungal interactions in laboratory culture to the natural dust system?

Both house dust and house dust mites Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus contained a wider range of fungi than laboratory mite cultures. In total, nine species of fungi were isolated from D. pteronyssinus in house dust, and these included three xerophilic species (Eurotium amstelodami, Aspergillus penicillioides and Wallemia sebi) commonly found in laboratory cultures of D. pteronyssinus. It is concluded that mites do interact with a similar range of fungi in natural dust and in laboratory culture, but that the diversity of fungal species in the laboratory is reduced and the density of individual fungal species in culture exceeds that of house dust. In a second experiment, dust samples were incubated at room temperature with 75% relative humidity. The diversity of fungi invariably declined from up to 13 genera to the few species recorded in laboratory culture. This suggests that the dominance of xerophilic fungi in laboratory mite rearings is mediated primarily by low relative humidity, and the exclusion of air-borne spores.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed2003

Four methods of sampling for dust mite allergen: differences in 'dust'.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of exposure to the dust mite allergen Der p 1 is important in asthma research and is potentially useful in managing asthma. As no single measure can capture all characteristics of an exposure, it is important to recognize differences in the available methods of measuring exposure to Der p 1. METHODS: Fourteen bedrooms and living rooms were sampled using four methods for 1 week. Airborne allergen was sampled by static Institute of Occupational Medicine samplers. Settling dust was collected on Petri dishes and an adhesive-membrane system (A-book). Vacuumed reservoir dust samples were collected from floors at the end of 1 week. Der p 1 was measured in all samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, except A-books, in which it was measured by Halogen immunoassay. RESULTS: All four methods intercorrelated moderately (r range = 0.40-0.64, P = 0.04), except between allergen in reservoir dust (as microg/m2 and microg/g dust) and settling dust by Petri dishes (P = 0.2). Reservoir allergen, expressed as microg/m2, did not correlate with any measure, except reservoir allergen expressed as microg/g (r = 0.39, P = 0.04). No differences in these associations occurred between bedrooms and living rooms. CONCLUSIONS: While the four methods examined correlated moderately, all have practical advantages and difficulties. No method can be considered as ideal for measuring individual exposure. For practicality, use of vacuum cleaner and Petri dish methods are recommended.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed2002

Soluble intercellular adhesion molecules in the serum of subjects exposed to dust at different workplaces--correlation to airway symptoms, lung function, tobacco and dust exposure.

Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (s-ICAM-1) was evaluated as biomarker indicating inflammatory processes in the airways of persons exposed to salt dust, ceramic dust and flour dust. ICAM values in the serum of these workers were related to airway symptoms, lung function (FEV1), inhalable dust dose and tobacco consumption. A weak relation was found to airway symptoms (cough and phlegm) and FEV1. Consistent elevated ICAM levels in smokers suggest, that ICAM indicates inflammatory processes following strong irritants such as tobacco smoke. In contrast to lung function analysis, serum ICAM does not support inflammatory changes by salt dust or ceramic dust.

Adult↗