1.Analysis on the spectrum characteristics of noise hazards in metal products industry
Minhong ZHANG ; Hao CHEN ; Min DENG ; Zihuang XIE ; Dongchao TIAN ; Wei ZHOU
China Occupational Medicine 2023;50(5):518-523
{L-End}Objective To analyze the spectrum characteristics of noise hazards in the metal products industry. {L-End}Methods A total of six metal product industries were selected as research subjects using stratified sampling method. The noise intensity (A/C-weighted) and noise spectrum (Z-weighted) of workplaces and job positions were detected. The characteristics of the noise spectrum of each job position were analyzed using the difference between equivalent continuous C-weighted sound pressure level (LCeq)-equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level (LAeq), the dominant frequency of the noise spectrum, and cluster analysis methods. {L-End}Results The workplace noise and job position noise of 11 main noise positions in the metal products industry were exceeded national standard, with incidence of 69.2% and 78.1%, respectively. The average of normalization of equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level to a normal 40 hours working week exceeded the national standard in 100.0% of hydraulic workers, welders, and ultrasonic cleaning workers. The result of spectrum analysis showed that the noise in the metal product industry was mainly broadband. The noise of the collision welder position was classified as low-frequency broadband noise, while the noise of the painter position was classified as low-frequency narrowband noise. The noise spectrum characteristics of other positions were similar and classified into one category, all of which were broadband noise. Among them, numerical control lathe workers, welders, threaders, machinists, and cutters were exposed to high-frequency broadband noise, while press workers were exposed to mid-frequency broadband noise, and grinders, hydraulic workers, and ultrasonic cleaning workers were exposed to low-frequency broadband noise. The detection rate of binaural high-frequency hearing threshold improvement among workers was 61.7%, and there was no statistical correlation between the detection rate of binaural high-frequency hearing threshold improvement and the noise level intensity of each spectrum. {L-End}Conclusion The level of noise hazards in the metal products industry is severe. Effective engineering control measures and hearing protection measures should be implemented based on the spectral characteristics of noises.
2. Exploring on occupational health risk assessment of 2-butoxyethanol in a printing house
Xue TAO ; Haibin LI ; Shuang SONG ; Tiandi LI ; Zihuang XIE
Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases 2019;37(7):554-557
Objective:
To apply GBZ/T298-2017 "Guidelines for occupational health risk assessment of chemicals in the workplace" to conduct an occupational health risk assessment of 2-butoxyethanol exposure in a printing enterprise, in order to protect the laborers' health.
Methods:
Conducted a worksite survey of occupational health include data collection, site investigation, determination 2-butoxyethanol in workplace air and raw and auxiliary material, determination 2-butoxyacetic acid in urine after shift from May 17 to 24, 2017, using the above results, conducting 2-butoxyethanol occupational health risk assessment.
Results:
Concentrations of 2-butoxyethanol in the workplace air ranged from 1.2-30.8 mg/m3. Concentrations of 2-butoxyaceticacid in urine ranged from 35.5 mg/L to 563.3 mg/L. The printing shop with the highest concentration of air in the workplace in the enterprise was a medium risk for 2-butoxyethanol occupational health risks, and the binding workshop printer was a low risk for 2-butoxyethanol occupational health risks. The occupational health risk of 2-butoxyethanol in the print shop was medium.
Conclusion
Occupational health risks of 2-butoxyethanol for companies is medium, which should be included in the evaluation of routine occupational hazards and provide more targeted recommendations based on the action levels.