University of Alabama at Birmingham Student Presentations
Abstract No:
1093
Abstract Type:
Student Presentations
Authors:
J Shedd1, J Roberts Nelson1
Institutions:
1University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
Student Co-Presenter:
Jordan Roberts Nelson, AL
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Student Presenter:
Jacob Shedd, AL
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Description:
This session is hosted by the Industrial Hygiene PhD students of the University of Alabama at Birmingham covering topics regarding occupational air quality. The topics covered will pertain two aspects of the students' dissertation research which has been conducted over the past 4 years. The session will begin with a discussion on analytical methodology development for air sampling, followed by exposure assessments of wildland firefighters. The session will then close with an open-floor question and answer segment.
Speaker 1: In recent years, the IH research group at UAB developed a novel, pre-analytical technique known as photothermal desorption (PTD), which uses pulses of high-energy light to desorb analytes from thermally conductive sorbents (i.e. buckypapers or BPs, self-supporting form of carbon nanotubes), with the purpose of occupational exposure assessment for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). To better understand the capabilities of PTD as a desorption method for passive, VOC samplers, the range of BP temperatures achievable by the technique must be determined. Doing so will allow end users of the technique to choose the most appropriate analytes for use with PTD based on the samples ability to desorb within the given temperature range. In the present work, we sought to fill this knowledge gap by both measuring the thermal response of BPs during PTD, and determining the best method for conducting such measurements.
Speaker 2: As a result of their proximity to fire fronts and lack of respiratory protection, wildland firefighters are exposed to high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) while undergoing physically demanding tasks. Exposure assessments under these conditions are challenging and limited due to the hazardous and remote nature of wildfires. In this study, we monitored personal exposures to smoke aerosol of prescribed burn firefighters under real occupational conditions without interfering with their assigned tasks or safety. The firefighters wore continuous particle counting monitors and GPS devices to assess simultaneous PM2.5 exposures, activity, and proximity to the fire front. PM2.5 spatial patterns were highly variable reflecting differences in assigned task, physical activities, and location to the fire front throughout the event. Higher PM2.5 concentrations were observed during elevated activity parameters and lower elevations, suggesting potential for elevated internal dose as a result of working tasks. Elevated activity during high periods of PM2.5 may lead to higher constituents reaching target organs and elevated systemic distribution; warranting the need for further investigation.
Speaker 1: In recent years, the IH research group at UAB developed a novel, pre-analytical technique known as photothermal desorption (PTD), which uses pulses of high-energy light to desorb analytes from thermally conductive sorbents (i.e. buckypapers or BPs, self-supporting form of carbon nanotubes), with the purpose of occupational exposure assessment for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). To better understand the capabilities of PTD as a desorption method for passive, VOC samplers, the range of BP temperatures achievable by the technique must be determined. Doing so will allow end users of the technique to choose the most appropriate analytes for use with PTD based on the samples ability to desorb within the given temperature range. In the present work, we sought to fill this knowledge gap by both measuring the thermal response of BPs during PTD, and determining the best method for conducting such measurements.
Speaker 2: As a result of their proximity to fire fronts and lack of respiratory protection, wildland firefighters are exposed to high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) while undergoing physically demanding tasks. Exposure assessments under these conditions are challenging and limited due to the hazardous and remote nature of wildfires. In this study, we monitored personal exposures to smoke aerosol of prescribed burn firefighters under real occupational conditions without interfering with their assigned tasks or safety. The firefighters wore continuous particle counting monitors and GPS devices to assess simultaneous PM2.5 exposures, activity, and proximity to the fire front. PM2.5 spatial patterns were highly variable reflecting differences in assigned task, physical activities, and location to the fire front throughout the event. Higher PM2.5 concentrations were observed during elevated activity parameters and lower elevations, suggesting potential for elevated internal dose as a result of working tasks. Elevated activity during high periods of PM2.5 may lead to higher constituents reaching target organs and elevated systemic distribution; warranting the need for further investigation.
Learning Outcomes:
1 - Become familiarized with the photothermal desorption technique for passive air samplers VOC analysis and the ongoing-research driving it's development.
2 - Become familiarized with prescribed burn wildland firefighting occupational exposures to biomass smoke PM2.5 aerosol exposure assessment and potential occupational setting influences regarding exposure response
2 - Become familiarized with prescribed burn wildland firefighting occupational exposures to biomass smoke PM2.5 aerosol exposure assessment and potential occupational setting influences regarding exposure response
Practical Application:
This presentation will discuss novel methods of exposure assessment currently being developed and implemented using a research to practice approach. The presented topics will address important in-field and practice applications of industrial hygiene by contributing to national initiatives including the National Occupational Research Agenda's (NORA) objective 1.2: "contribute to the reduction of chronic diseases such as respiratory diseases, occupational cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurologic diseases and adverse reproductive outcomes", and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Strategic Goal 5: "Reduce occupational respiratory disease by conducting basic/etiologic research to better understand the relationship between respiratory exposures and fixed airways disease among structural firefighters, wildland firefighters, and response workers". Development of exposure assessment methods provides new knowledge regarding exposure characterization and monitoring techniques that can be linked to health outcomes. The practical application of the presentation, regarding the science of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Health, provides novel knowledge and methods needed to further the development of protective techniques and equipment across multiple disciplines.
Primary Topic:
Exposure Assessment Strategies
Secondary Topics:
Protective Clothing and Equipment/Respiratory Protection
Sampling and Analysis