ASSESSMENT OF DUST EXPOSURE LEVEL AND EVALUATION OF DUST PROTECTIVE GEARS FOR AGRO PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
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Date
2019-09
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MPUT, UDAIPUR
Abstract
Dust to which mill workers are exposed is of three types, respirable dust; hazardous when deposited in gas exchange region of lungs, thoracic dust; hazardous when enters into lung airways and inhalable dust; hazardous when deposited in the head airway region and respiratory tree. The present study was conducted to determine the dust concentration in the environment of chilli and pulse mills and its comparison with the standard exposure limits.
An interviewer-administered survey questionnaire was designed for the investigation of symptoms for the chilli and pulse industries work environment. The prevalence of skin itching and headache problem were higher in chilli mill workers and the prevalence of cough problem were higher in pulse mill workers.
The dust concentration was measured at four different locations in chilli and pulse mills during the operation of mill in day hours. Out of the four locations in chilli mill, highest average dust concentration was measured near feeding hopper (location 2) as 3.809 mg/m3, 10.694 mg/m3 and 15.043 mg/m3 for different sized dust particulates 2.5 μm, 10 μm and T.S.P. respectively. And out of the four locations in pulse mill, highest average dust concentration was measured between scratching and screening machine (location 4) as 4.183 mg/m3, 11.553 mg/m3 and 17.075 mg/m3 for different sized dust particulates 2.5 μm, 10 μm and T.S.P. respectively.
Dust concentration in chilli mill was below the standard exposure limit of 10 mg/m3 for total dust and 4 mg/m3 for respirable dust as per ACGIH and OSHA standard exposure limit and dust concentration in pulse mill was above the standard exposure limit of 10 mg/m3 for total dust and 4 mg/m3 for respirable dust as per ACGIH and OSHA standard exposure limit.
Six different types of dust protectors were evaluation in chilli and pulse mills workers against dust hazards. The dust protectors were subjected to suitability tests of duration of one hour each on ten workers in chilli and pulse mills. The cotton matty dust mask (with 1 mm foam) were selected during the study was found most suitable and acceptable by the chilli and pulse mills workers and is suggest for use in chilli and pulse mills.
Description
ASSESSMENT OF DUST EXPOSURE LEVEL AND EVALUATION OF DUST PROTECTIVE GEARS FOR AGRO PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
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Citation
Chandubhai K. R. And Meena S.S.