Journal of School of Public Health and

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This study has been done in a raajor brake-shoe factor.'. Air samples were taken and dustlevels determined according to OSHA code, revealing a dust load in weighting and shootingsaloons ranging from 2 to 16.88 mg/nr Measurement and counting of asbestos fibers weredone using OSHA ID 160/ code and permissible exposure levels. Asbestos fiber counts in sampled areas were higher than the time weighted average level(TWA) and even higher than action level.Particle size distribution was also determined. It turned out that of the 3000 counted particles,%90 of non-fibers and %10 are fiber-shaped. Also size of %60.4 of counted fibers is lowerthan 10 x that %80 of them are fibers.The results of this study showed significantly thai the maximum pollution loads occur in theweighting section, especially in the mixers. Heavy pollutant load. low air flow (face velocity)and use of canopies with the lowest enclosure may be regarded as potential mechanisms.

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Background and Aim: Considering the acute and chronic effects of organic solvents to which vehicle painters are exposed for long periods of time, their evaluation and control is crucial for protection of health of the employees. This study aimed to find the most influential factors on exposure to, and spreading pollution with, benzene, toluene, xylem, and etylebenzene (BTEX) in order to be able to choose the best control measures.
Materials and Methods: In a motor-vehicle company the vehicle painting process was studied in detail and the solvents used in paints and in spreading organic solvent stations were identified. Based on the types and concentrations of the variables being studied, using the NIOSH method a total of 240 air samples were collected (5 samples for each variable and the respective controls) and analyzed. The SPSS version 11.5 was used for data analysis, the statistical tests being multi-regression and analysis of variance.
Results: Exposure to benzene in all occupational tasks, as well as to toluene in top coating and undercoating stations exceeded, while exposure to etylebenzene and xylene did not reach, the respective permitted exposure limits (p<0.05). The most effective factors on exposure to all the four solvents were, in order of effectiveness, occupational task, gun type, and the type of paint sued (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The effects of the variables studies – occupational task, gun and paint types – on exposure to BTEX relate to differences in occupational task work load, the type of gun used, and the paint organic solvent formulation. The reason for the potentially high exposure to benzene is its presence as an impurity in the paint solvents. Thus, it is highly recommended that in the process of control and evaluation special attention be paid to these factors.

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Background and Aims: n-Hexane is widely used in the production of glues, lacquers, paints, plastics, and rubber products. Consequently, a significant potential for exposure to this toxic solvent exists in industrial settings. This study was undertaken to assess the neurophysiological abnormalities in shoe-makers occupationally exposed to n-hexane and determine whether these abnormalities have any correlation with important occupational parameters.

Materials and Methods: Neurophysiological examinations of upper and lower extremities were made in 27 male-workers, and the results were compared with a sex- and age-matched reference group. In addition, the extent of exposure of individual workers and their urinary concentration of free 2,5-hexanedione were determined. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 16.0. for windows).

Results: The time-weighted average exposure to n-hexane and the mean urinary concentration of free 2,5-hexanedione were both lower than the respective TLV-TWA and Biological Exposure Index (BEI) values proposed by ACGIH. Although neurological examinations and nerve conduction velocities were normal, significant negative correlations were observed between the urinary concentration of free 2,5-hexanedione and the sensory nerve action potential (SAP) amplitudes for median (r=-0.67, p<0.001) and sural (r=-0.52, p<0.008) nerves.

Conclusions: Reduced SAP amplitude for median and sural nerves appears to be the primary neurotoxic effect of 2,5-hexanedione and can be used as an appropriate indicator for screening subclinical peripheral neuropathy in n-hexane-exposed workers.