Kakui H¹ (PhD), Ghasemkhani M¹ (PhD), Omidiani Dost A² * (MD), Rezazade Azari M ¹ (PhD), Rahimi A³ (PhD)

  ¹ Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  ² Occupational Health Unit, Health Center of Kermanshah, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

  ³ Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  Received: 12 Jun 2012, Accepted: 6 Aug 2013

  Abstract

  Introduction: Foundry workers are at risk of the silicosis a disease caused by inhalation of dust containing free silica. The amount of silica in dust is important in developing the disease. In order to determine the occupational exposure limits (OEL), it is important to measure the respirable dusts containing free silica. The aim of this study was to assess the exposure to respirable dust and the percent of free silica in small foundries in Pakdasht.

  Methods: In this study, we measured the amount of indoor free silica and respirable dust concentration during the casting activities. The respirable dust was gathered using the sampler pump and the cyclone. We used the gravimetry test to quantify the amount of respirable dust and the colorimetric spectrophotometer method (Method 7601, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)) to measure the concentration of free silica.

  Results: According to the NIOSH and ACGIH limits (0.025 mg/m3), fifty percent of workers were exposed to high concentrations of crystalline silica. The mean free silica exposure was 0.04 12 آ±'> 0.02 mg/m3. According to the PEL presented by the OSHA, the mean respirable dust concentration was high in all four processes in the foundries.

  Conclusion: The findings showed that fifty percent of workers were exposed to high amounts of the crystalline silica dust. It is necessary to control silica dust through various technical and management measures.

  Key words: Crystalin Silica, small size foundry, respirable dust, Spectrophotometer

  Please cite this article as follows:

  Kakui H, Ghasemkhani M, Omidiani Dost A, Rezazade Azari M, Rahimi A. Assessment of Respirable Dust Exposure and Free Silica Percent in Small Foundries (Less than 10 Workers) in Pakdasht, 2011. Hakim Research Journal 2013 16(3): 211- 219.

  * Corresponding Author: Ashaier street, Vali Asr Health and Medical Center, Kermanshah, Iran, Postal code: 6719646435, Tel: +98- 831- 8244066, Mobile: +98- 912- 4793212, E-mail: aomidian89@gmail.com