Contributors: Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) Division; Bioscience Program; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Italy; Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, I-09123 Cagliari, Italy; Department of Biomedical, Odontoiatric, Morphological and Functional Images, Occupational Medicine Section, “Policlinico G. Martino” Hospital, University of Messina, I-98125 Messina, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Section of Public Health and Human Sciences, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, 34129 Trieste, Italy
نبذة مختصرة : The occupational exposure to airborne fine and ultrafine particles (UFPs) and noise in aircraft personnel employed in airport taxiway was investigated. Stationary samplings and multiple personal sampling sites and job tasks were considered. Size distribution, particle number concentrations, lung dose surface area were measured by personal particle counters and by means of an electric low pressure impactor (ELPI+TM). Morphological and chemical characterization of UFPs were performed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, the latter together with energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy based spatially resolved compositional mapping. A-weighted noise exposure level A-weighted noise exposure level normalized to an 8 h working day and Peak Sound C-weighted Pressure Level was calculated for single worker and for homogeneous exposure groups. Our study provides evidence on the impact of aviation-related emissions on occupational exposure to ultrafine particles and noise exposure of workers operating in an airport taxiway. Main exposure peaks are related to pre-flight operations of engine aircrafts. Although exposure to ultrafine particles and noise appears to not be critical if compared with other occupational scenarios, the coincidence in time of high peaks of exposure to ultrafine particles and noise suggest that further investigations are warranted in order to assess possible subclinical and clinical adverse health effects in exposed workers, especially for cardiovascular apparatus. ; This research received no external funding.
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