Relationship between Occupational Exposure and Health Effects in Potters

• Main Authors: Ju-Yin Wang, 王如瑩
• Other Authors: Ruey-Yu Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2001
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/15711334563332083337

碩士 === 台北醫學院 === 公共衛生學研究所 === 89 === The workers of pottery industry may be exposed tomineral dust containing Crystalline free silica and should be endured in hot environment. In order to recognize and evaluate the risk factors in the environment and the health effects caused by risk factors, a cross sectional study was conducted. 8 factories were randomly sampled. Through health exam. (including lung functional test), questionnaires interview personal data of 50 workers of those factories were collected. Environmental surveillance (including respirable particulates personal sampling and area WBGT measurement) were performed. The geometric mean of personal respirable particulates concentrations was 0.33 mg/m3 (ranged from ND to 5.75), 18% samples were higher than the 2nd category standard of 1 mg/m3. Compared the dust concentrations according to the products classification of sampled factories, we found that sanitary products factories were the highest ones and the industrial porcelain factories were the lowest ones. While comparing the different manufacture processes, the descending order of dust concentrations were shaping and fixing > glazing > packing. The alues of TWA-WBGT were ranged from 27.6~34.9℃, values of 67% vsamples were above the standard for continuous light work （30.6℃）. However, there were no significant heat stress disorders were found among the subject workers. Prevalence of the abnormal lung function were 79% for male workers and 81% for female workers. There was a worker with 45 years work history who was diagnosed pneumoconiosis. The prevalence of neck-shoulder discomfort and arm soreness were about 25%. Some samples of respirable particulates concentrations were higher han the 2nd category standard of 1 mg/m3 and the values of TWA-WBGT were ranged from 27.6~34.9℃. The protective respirable devices and the work-rest regimen of heat strain should be followed.