Objectives: To evaluate past concentrations of crystalline silica and asbestos in Italy as a function of time and type of industry and to present a picture of the evolution of sampling and analytical methods over time. Methods: More than 6000 exposure data were entered in a database from paper reports. Silica exposure data were available since 1951, while asbestos exposure reports started from 1968. Supplemental information was recorded about type of industry, sampling and analytical methods. Jobs performed during personal sampling were coded using the ISCO-coding (1968 edition). Results: Crystalline silica concentrations were mainly measured as number of particles per unit of volume and showed a decreasing trend over time. Silica airborne concentrations were characterized by the highest values and variability in the 50’s. A rapid fall in concentrations was observed from 1962 to 1967. The 1967-1979 period was characterized by quite constant exposure levels, with median values below 20 pt/cm3. Then, there was a strong evolution of sampling and analytical methods in the 80’s, which led to the use of mass metric and made the comparison with old results difficult. The highest silica concentrations (> 100 pp/cm3) were measured in the manufacture of soap and cosmetics, non-electric machinery and equipment production and ship building-repairing industry. Asbestos concentrations showed a constant reduction over time, starting from 1968. The most relevant decrease in exposures was observed in the early 80’s, when median values lowered from >100 ff/l to <10 ff/l. The highest asbestos fibre concentrations (> 1000 ff/l) were measured in the asbestos paper, textile and rubber production industry, as well as in the manufacture of agricultural and transport equipment. Conclusions: The fall in asbestos and silica concentrations in occupational environments followed the improvements in methods of risk control and the lowering of occupational exposure limits over time.
Evaluation of past occupational exposures to silica and asbestos in Italy / A. Cattaneo, S. Taronna, D.M. Cavallo. ((Intervento presentato al 8. convegno International Scientific Conference : International Occupational Hygiene Association : Health, work and social responsibility tenutosi a Roma nel 2010.
Evaluation of past occupational exposures to silica and asbestos in Italy
A. CattaneoPrimo
;D.M. CavalloUltimo
2010
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate past concentrations of crystalline silica and asbestos in Italy as a function of time and type of industry and to present a picture of the evolution of sampling and analytical methods over time. Methods: More than 6000 exposure data were entered in a database from paper reports. Silica exposure data were available since 1951, while asbestos exposure reports started from 1968. Supplemental information was recorded about type of industry, sampling and analytical methods. Jobs performed during personal sampling were coded using the ISCO-coding (1968 edition). Results: Crystalline silica concentrations were mainly measured as number of particles per unit of volume and showed a decreasing trend over time. Silica airborne concentrations were characterized by the highest values and variability in the 50’s. A rapid fall in concentrations was observed from 1962 to 1967. The 1967-1979 period was characterized by quite constant exposure levels, with median values below 20 pt/cm3. Then, there was a strong evolution of sampling and analytical methods in the 80’s, which led to the use of mass metric and made the comparison with old results difficult. The highest silica concentrations (> 100 pp/cm3) were measured in the manufacture of soap and cosmetics, non-electric machinery and equipment production and ship building-repairing industry. Asbestos concentrations showed a constant reduction over time, starting from 1968. The most relevant decrease in exposures was observed in the early 80’s, when median values lowered from >100 ff/l to <10 ff/l. The highest asbestos fibre concentrations (> 1000 ff/l) were measured in the asbestos paper, textile and rubber production industry, as well as in the manufacture of agricultural and transport equipment. Conclusions: The fall in asbestos and silica concentrations in occupational environments followed the improvements in methods of risk control and the lowering of occupational exposure limits over time.
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