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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are carcinogenic and mutagenic to humans, are primary compounds in coke oven emissions generated by the coking process. The authors examined the relationship between coke oven workers' urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels and their exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, as determined on the basis of work category and pre- and postshift effects in a steel plant in Taiwan. Eighty-eight coke oven workers constituted the exposed group, and 61 office workers in a steel plant located 1.5 km from the coke plant constituted the control group. The benzene-soluble fraction in personal air samples, and 1-hydroxypyrene in urine samples, were measured for 3 consecutive days. The 3-day urinary 1-hydroxypyrene sampling results for topside workers (i.e., those most heavily exposed to emissions) in the coke oven group, and for the control group, as determined from postshift geometric means, were 23.8 [micro]g/gm creatinine and 0.3 [micro]g/gm creatinine, respectively. These values increased to 13.4 and 0.1 [micro]g/gm creatinine, respectively, after an 8-hr work period. The major source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons for the exposed group was occupational; therefore, the closer workers were to the coke oven, the greater their exposure, and, consequently, the greater their metabolite level. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels of the exposed group were 80 times higher than those of the control group. Smoking had no significant effect on the excretion of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene. 1-hydroxypyrene levels in the workers' urine during an 8-day period was cumulative (half-life = 18.6 hr). The authors concluded that it would be desirable to switch highly exposed workers to a low-exposure work area, after a period of rest. In addition, urinary 1-hydroxypyrene was a confirmed, useful biological indicator for exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons., POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS (PAHs) are formed from the incomplete combustion or pyrolysis of organic materials, and they are distributed widely throughout the environment. (1) Occupational sources of PAHs include coke [...]

The Toyota Production System shows project success by measuring four areas: safety and ergonomics, quality, delivery and cost. These may be familiar for those undergoing lean transformations. What's not so [...]

New subcommittee has been created to develop accurate performance indicators A new ASTM International subcommittee, E34.55, has been created to develop standards that will be meaningful and accurate performance indicators [...]

A study on the evaluation of an instrument meant for carrying out an occupational health and safety (OHS) self-diagnosis is presented.

Staff at an Essex NHS trust are being psychometrically profiled to see how they cope with stress. Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust has launched a training programme, in partnership [...]

Would a world-class athlete be happy living at a slower pace? That's the sort of real-world question patients ask about the outcomes of medical treatment, and that employers relate to [...]

When I came to Motorcyclist the first time in late 1999, it seemed we could do a better job of describing what made one bike comfortable and another not. Beyond, [...]

In the past, the most widely recognized occupational exposure limits for hydrogen sulfide ([H.sub.2]S) I have referenced an 8-hour TWA of 10 ppm, and a 15-minute STEL of 15 ppm. [...]

The assessment of environmental risk is the next logical step from health and safety management, and several simple methodologies are available to identify the hazard and minimise any risks associated with it. An integrated approach involving health and safety and environmental risk management is the best way to maximise potential benefits within an organisation.

Hoechst UK, chemicals company, has chosen RoSPA's Quality Safety Audit System (QSA), taking into consideration the need to improve health and safety performance and protect the environment, and the European Community's backing of environmental management auditing systems. Chemicals firms are obliged to follow the responsible care code, and eco-audit legislation is about to be introduced. Hoechst had intended to introduce the International Safety Rating System (ISRS), but found QSA more appropriate to its needs and more usef friendly. The choice of system is discussed at length.

FIVE local authorities in the North West of England are currently piloting a new stress tool developed by the HSE. This could be an indication that the HSE is looking [...]

The health and safety directives emanating from the European Commission are being based on the concept of risk assessment but this is not to be regarded as a highly complicated science, merely a basic management tool founded on common sense. Deputy director of the UK's Health and Safety Executive David Eves said there was no intention of making small and medium-sized companies perform complicated auditing. Risk assessment means identifying potential dangers in the workplace, estimating the risk from these potential dangers, deciding how these risks can be minimised and then taking the appropriate action along these lines.