Judy MurphyIndustrial Hygienist

MT Occupational Safety & Health Bureau

What Is Industrial Hygiene ?

The anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of environmental factors in the workplace that may cause sickness or impaired health.

DEFINITION

Chemical hazardsMists, vapors, gases, or solids in the form of dusts or fumes

Physical hazardsNon-ionizing and ionizing radiation, noise, vibration, and extremes of temperature and pressure

TYPES OF HAZARDS

Ergonomic hazardsRequiring a body to adjust to an awkward or repetitive action

Biological hazardsAny living organism or its properties that can cause an adverse response in humans

TYPES OF HAZARDS

Inhalation

Ingestion

Absorption

ROUTES OF ENTRY

The contaminant

The amount of the contaminant present

The length of time a person is exposed to the contaminant

The vulnerability of the person

RISK FACTORS

Examples:PerchloroethyleneFormaldehydeMethyl ethyl ketone (MEK)Hydrogen sulfideMethylene bisphenyl isocyanate (MDI)

Welding fumesPesticides

TOXIC GASES, VAPORS & FUMES

Chemical asphyxiants - render the body incapable of utilizing an adequate supply of oxygen

Carbon monoxide interferes with the transport of oxygen to the tissues.

Hydrogen cyanide alters cellular use of oxygen in energy production.

ASPHYXIANTS

PerchloroethyleneHow can it enter the body?What are 5 health effects?What kind of personal protective equipment should be worn?

MSDS EXERCISE

PercholoroethyleneSampling mediaFlow rateSampling train

SAMPLING EXERCISE

ExamplesSilicaAsbestosFiberglass

DUSTS

A progressive, disabling and often fatal lung disease

May take decades to develop, or only a few months or a few years

Alveolar phagocytosis; enzymes released damage tissue

Silicosis

SilicaSampling mediaFlow rateSampling train

SAMPLING EXERCISE

Dust mitesFungiBacteria & virusesAnimal danderPollens

BIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS

Mold? Where??

Mold on ceiling and walls

Mold in a closet

Mold in air duct

Fungi as FoodMushroomsSoy sauceYeastBreadCheeseWineBeer

Mucor species

Penicillium species

Aspergillus niger

Aspergillus fumigatus

Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans

Growing ConditionsOptimum water activity

Above 0.90 in substrate, for most species

Optimum temperature range 56°F to 86°F, for most species

Light Inhibits growth of some moldsStimulates spore production in many species

Fungal Metabolism

Enzymes secreted to digest external food sources, which are then absorbed

Must have adequate moisture available

Metabolic Products

Carbon dioxide, water, ethanol

Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs)

Mycotoxins and antibiotics

MVOCs

VOCs with distinctive offensive odors

May cause illnesses

Different compounds emitted on different media

Type and quantity change with phases of growth

Mycotoxins

Produced to inhibit or kill competitors

May cause serious short term and long term health effects

Over 200 recognized mycotoxins

Toxins production varies with the species, conditions and substrate

General Health EffectsSinus congestion Sneezing Coughing,Eye irritation AsthmaBronchitis Hypersensitivity pneumonitisInfectious diseases, e.g. ringworm

Mycotoxin Health EffectsMucous

membrane irritation

Cold and flu symptoms

Sore throatHeadacheFatigueDiarrheaSkin rashesDizzinessNausea

Immunosuppression

Birth defectsTremorsHemorrhagingCytotoxicityHepatotoxicityNephrotoxicityCancer

Satratoxin HProduced by Stachybotrys, Trichoderma and other molds

High doses or chronic low doses are lethal

Abortogenic in animals

Believed to alter the immune system function

Stachybotrys chartarum (atra)Grows on material with high cellulose content and low nitrogen content

Optimum water activity is 0.94Areas with relative humidity above 55% and subject to temperature fluctuations are ideal for toxin production

Changing humidity may induce heavy sporulation

Spores are covered with slime; not easily airborne

Stachybotrys Effects

Chronic exposure effects: cold and flu symptoms, sore throats, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, dermatitis, intermittent local hair loss, generalized malaise

Toxins suppress the immune system, affecting lymphoid tissue and bone marrow

Stachybotrys Effects (cont.)Animals injected with Stachybotrys exhibited necrosis and hemorrhage within the brain, thymus, spleen, intestine, lung, heart, lymph node, liver and kidney

Toxin is reported to be a liver and kidney carcinogen

Stachybotrys - contaminated straw and normal straw

Stachybotrys and other mold on sheetrock

Stachybotrys in ventilation tunnel

Stachybotrys on fiberglass insulation backing

Poor Outside Drainage Design

Water-Damaged Ceiling

Flooded Room After Remediation

Water-Damaged Wallpaper

Crawlspace with water path

Stachybotrys, Aspergillus and Penicillium in Basement

Types of Mold Sampling

Bulk samplesSurface samples - tapeSurface samples - swabAir samples using impaction onto agar

Air samples using spore trap methods

Airborne mold sporesSampling mediaFlow rateSampling train

MOLD SAMPLING

QUESTIONS?