Characteristics of Occupational Exposure to Diesel Engine Exhaust for Shipyard Transporter Signal Workers

Jungah Shin, Boowook Kim and Hyoung-Ryoul Kim
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Jungah Shin: Department of Research for Occupational Health, Institute of Occupation and Environment, Incheon 21417, Korea
Boowook Kim: Department of Research for Occupational Health, Institute of Occupation and Environment, Incheon 21417, Korea
Hyoung-Ryoul Kim: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-16

Abstract: Background : Workers performing signal work for a heavy-duty shipyard transporter are exposed to diesel engine exhaust (DEE), which is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Here, we evaluate DEE exposure levels for workers engaged in shipyard transporter signal work through measurement of respirable elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), and total carbon (TC), and identify the factors affecting exposure. Methods : Sixty signal workers were selected, and measured samples were analyzed by thermo-optical transmittance. Results : The mean EC exposure level of a transporter signal worker was 4.16 µg/m 3 , with a range of 0.69 to 47.81 µg/m 3 . EC, OC, and TC exposure levels did not show statistically significant differences for individual variables except the measurement date. This was influenced by meteorological factors such as wind speed, and it was confirmed that the work position, number carried, and load capacity in the multiple regression analysis after minimizing the meteorological effects were factors influencing the EC exposure level of the signalman. Conclusions : Meteorological conditions influenced DEE exposure of transporter signal workers who work outdoors. The mean EC exposure level was not high, but exposures to high concentrations of EC were recorded by meteorological factors.

Keywords: diesel engine exhaust; elemental carbon; occupational exposure; transporter signal work (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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