Project Number: VQU425 Project Title: Short-term Method Development to Support Field Studies, Division: DART Project Officer (PO): Don D. Dollberg, Other Personnel (6 FTE): SP Tucker, LB Jaycox, S. Pendergrass, CE Neumeister, R Andrews, M Millson. PO Degree: Ph.D. PO Area of Expertise (scientific discipline): Inorganic Chemistry Project Start Date: 1996 Project End Date: 1999 [from 2000 forward this effort has been folded into 7298414] Total Budget over the Project Period: $323,586.00 [for period 96-99] Goal/Sub-Goal: Exposure Assessment Research Challenge/Issue: This project provides analytical chemistry support to all NIOSH field and research divisions. Data generated with this support is used by NIOSH industrial hygiene and engineering groups to assess exposures to hazardous substances and to help make recommendations for lessening or eliminating the causes of such exposures by confirming the effectiveness of control technology modifications. Routine analytical chemistry measurements are provided by the contract Lab (CASC) which was located in Salt Lake City, Utah during this time. This contractor is capable of analyzing 750 samples per month with an average turnaround time of 20 days. Specialty analyses and methods development for new compounds are provided by in-house staff (discussion of some of this work is included in project 8484). Activities: We have provided analytical support and method development for the following projects; DRDS 99-8130, pesticides in vegetable farms, IWSB 98-605 termite control, IWSB 95-543 mancozeb, and IWSB 94-605 herbicide study. IWSB's Pesticide Exposures of Greenhouse and Nursery Workers Project was also implemented during this period. The project involved air and dermal sampling and analysis for 4-5 pesticides used by rose growers. Dr. Gene Kennedy served as liaison between the contract lab and the field for this study. Outputs: The NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods is the repository for all the analytical methods we have developed for exposure monitoring. The 4th (1994) edition contained 21 pesticide methods which apply to agriculture. The third supplement to this 4th edition included methods for organonitrogen pesticides (5601), Chlorinated organonitrogen herbicides (5602), alachlor (5603), and chlorinated organonitrogen herbicides, (hand, 9200 and dermal, 9201 wash). Intermediate Outcomes: The impact of our work isn’t immediate, since methods are used to measure exposure or determine the effectiveness of an intervention and these types of projects can take several years to complete and then more time to analyze and interpret the results.
End Outcomes: External Factors: Future Directions:
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References: Kennedy ER, Fiscbach TJ, Song RG, Eller PM, Shulman SA. “Guidelines for Air Sampling and Analytical Method Development and Evaluation” [May 1995] USDHHS/PHS/CDC/NIOSH/DPSE, Publication #95-117. [cited 9 times] NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM®), 4th ed. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 94-113 (August, 1994), 1st Supplement Publication 96-135, 2nd Supplement Publication 98-119, 3rd Supplement 2003-154, Schlecht, P.C. & O'Connor, P.F. (pfo1@cdc.gov), Eds.
Project Number: 8113 Title: Environmental Tractor Cab System Integrity Division: DRDS Project Officer: Ernest Moyer PO Degree: PhD PO Area of Expertise: Aerosols and analytical chemistry Start Date: 10/1/2001 End Date: 9/30/2005 Total Budget: $778,570 Program Area: Exposure Control Goal: Intervention SubGoal: To reduce harmful exposures to airborne contaminants, design and demonstrate tractor cabs that protect tractor operators from exposures to dust, pesticides (consistent with the EPA Worker Protection Standard), and other aerosols and particles. Target Audience: Agricultural Business such as equipment manufacturers (John Deere, Massey Ferguson, Agco, Ford New Holland, Nelson Manufacturing Company, etc), tractor cab filter manufacturers (Fleetguard, Donaldson Company, Clean Air Filter, etc), farmers and commercial pesticide applicators. Collaborators: Agricultural Centers (other than own) Nelson Manufacturing Company, Argo, John Deere, Clean Air Filter, University of Iowa, and American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). Stakeholders: Agribusiness Agribusiness including all equipment manufacturers of tractor cabs, environmental cabs on mining and/or off road construction, and all manufacturers of enclosed cabs to provide protection for workers. Farm extension service centers who provide information on worker protection involving pesticide spraying operations.. Department of Highways that spray along roadways. Challenge / Issue: Environmental tractor cabs may not be providing respirator level worker protection. Workers may not be adequately protected during pesticide spray operations. The ASABE consensus standard test method uses a large aerosol particle (3 micrometers) to certify the design and functionality of a single cab as effective in reducing exposure 50:1. Respirator negative pressure particulate respirators are tested against a “worst case” submicrometer aerosol. Also, maintenance is an important issue related to cab performance. No testing is routinely performed following maintenance operations. NIOSH Agricultural Steering Committee, NIOSH field surveys reports and ASABE PM 23/2/1 committee involvement to revise the existing ASABE S525 standard.
Blower motors produce aerosol particle that are submicrometer in size. Environmental cab enclosures are used to protect agricultural, heavy construction, and mine workers during routine dust generating operations. This project develops and incorporates aerosol test methods to evaluate all phases of cab manufacturing/design, auditing, and routine maintenance. Specific areas of evaluation will be directed to filtration efficiency, leak site identification, total cab integrity, cab audits by manufacturers, and maintenance programs. Filter testing is one of the building blocks to defining the problem and providing potential solutions. Initial laboratory work evaluated filtration efficiencies of several commercially-available filters. Field based investigations have been conducted with new types of filters. Collaborations with the Iowa Center for Agricultural Health, John Deere, San Joaquin Helicopter, Nelson Manufacturing, Clean Air Filter, and the International Union of Operating Engineers are critical to successful execution of this study and the dissemination of meaningful results. Depending on the application/ environment, a wide aerosol size distribution may exist. Submicron aerosol particles, which may represent the worst case, most penetrating size range will be used. Aerosols may be liquid or solid and may change size over time. Laboratory testing were conducted using a solid sodium chloride and/or liquid dioctyl phthalate (DOP) aerosol; filters were evaluated to determine the most penetrating particle size, i.e. submicron. Penetration curves were developed for a range of particle sizes, representative of those found in agriculture, construction and mining. Used filters were obtained and tested. Size dependent filter penetration data will be used to make recommendations to manufacturers and users about limitations in the workplace. Activity: A laboratory based study evaluated the aerosol produced by blower motors used on Nelson Manufacturing tractor cabs. Laboratory studies were performed using numerous optical particle counters (OPC) to determine their response as a function of challenge concentration. The use of a possible dilutor system was investigated. Field surveys were conducted using the ASABE S525 test method and OPC in order to develop a field method for testing all cabs. The method must to time efficient and applicable for maintenance operations. Budget for total multiple years was $778,400. Project required on site construction of a aerosol challenge test chamber. Optical particle counters were need for the field surveys. Organizations that were engaged in the program activities: University, academic research center (The University of Iowa); trade association (ASABE) NIOSH has been developing of a field stationary test method using optical particle counted. The method could be used for testing every cab following maintenance operations and even as a quality control method to determine total inward cab leakage. A draft method has been provided to the ASABE PM23/2/1 standards committee. The standards committee has forwarded a draft of updated proposed standards to the international ISO committee for evaluation.
We developed a stationary test using optical particle counters fof evaluating total inward cab leakage. ASABE and ISO standard committee have been provided with drafts of this methodology. Outputs: One revision to the ASABE S525 standard has taken place. The stationary test developed by NIOSH is being considered for inclusion as a method for the complete rewrite of the standard. Also the draft method has been forwarded to the ISO committee for consideration. A publication has resulted. Moyer, E.S.,W.A. Heitbrink, and P.A. Jensen: Test for the Integrity of Environmental Tractor Cab Filtration Systems. J.of Occup. And Environ. Hyg., 2:516-523. (2005). Cooperation with PRL also resulted in a related publication: Cecala, A.B., J.A. Organiscak, J.A. Zimmer, W.A. Heitbrink, E.S. Moyer, M. Schmitz, E. Ahrenholtz, C.C. Coppock, and E.H. Andrews:Reducing Enclosed Cab Drill Operator`s Respirable Dust Exposure with Effective Filtration and Pressurization Techniques. J. of Occup. And Environ. Hyg., 2:5463 (2005). Presentations at AIHCE and SAE. Intermediate Outcomes: Abstract, article published, professional (juried publication), Invited presentation Society of Automotive Engineers International ( environmental Tractor Cabs Used for Spraying). Can be used to test and improve cab performance. Used as a reference by ASABE in standard revision. ASABE has forwarded a draft of the NIOSH stationary test method to the ISO standards committee. Referenced by ASABE PM23/2/1 standards setting committee and copy of proposed method to ISO committee. Has lead to continuing government research and been extended to construction. The importance of using a submicrometer test aerosol, the importance of maintenance and routine cab testing have been provided to the ASABE standards committee and incorporation of these factor could become part of the rewrite of the new standard. Further, these important issues and information have been forwarded to the international ISO committee.The stationary test developed by NIOSH has been incorporated as a method in the revised draft standard. Also, this procedure and draft standard has been provided to the international ISO standards working committee for consideration. End Outcomes: If incorporated in revised standards could lead to reduced worker exposure. Laboratory and field surveys have demonstrated the importance of maintenance in keeping cabs functioning properly. A field test to routinely quantitate cab performance in conjunction with maintenance is critical. External Factors: Cooperation by industry and academic partners enhance the success of this program. Cab maintenance and the development of a field test are essential for cab performance. Future Directions: A new program to evaluate tractor cabs in the field and work on development of a fast reliable field test for evaluating cabs following or by manufacturers for QC on every cab.
NIOSH has developed a stationary field test for evaluating cabs. Additional work to enhance reliability is needed. With such a method all cads could be routinely evaluated especial following maintenance operations.