engleski

Exposure to wood dust in Croatian woodworking industry

Wood dust from work atmosphere can cause allergic phenomenon and asthma on woodworkers and apart from that, it represents a risk of affection of nose and nasal cavity cancer. Apart from chemical compounds from wood material, the substances from board materials and non-wood auxiliary materials such as glues, lacquers, protection mediums and alike, also contribute to hazardous activity. In Croatian wood industry comprehensive research of woodworkers exposure to wood dust was carried out. Mass concentration of respirable particles (N=253) and total wood dust (N=259) is being determined by the method of personal collectors. Results are ranked in groups of mass concentrations of respirable particles and total wood dust for hardwood species, softwood species and boardlike materials. Obtained values were compared with maximal permissible concentrations for dusts according to the Croatian Draft By-Law on Maximum Permissible Concentrations (MPC) of Hazardouos Material and Biological Limit Values (BLV) in Workplace Environment. Concentration of respirable particles of hardwood species (beechwood and oakwood) higher than MPC is measured on 33 out of 137 samples (24%) while exceeding of MPC for boardlike materials is measured on 16 out of 92 samples (17%). Exceedings of MPC of beechwood and oakwood total dust is measured on 46 out of 141 samples (33%) and of boardlike materials on 33 out of 93 samples (36%). Values of mass concentrations of respirable particles and total dust for softwood species do not exceed MPC values. According to the results of presented research and taking in consideration hazardous effect of wood dust, by Croatian legislative it is possible to accept European standards but moreover it is recommended to prescribe stricter limit values for inhalable fraction of hardwood and specially softwood species with goal to woodworker protection.

wood dust; carcinogenicity; method of personal collectors; maximal permissible concentration

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