Risk assessment of workers exposed to crystalline silica aerosols

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This study was conducted to determine the concentration of airborne respirable crystalline silica (ARCS) particles and to evaluate its risk level among workers employed in eight different workplaces in Iran. They included sandblasting operations, ceramic production, sand and gravel work, brick production, asphalt manufacturing, foundry operation, glass making, and stone cutting. Personal exposure to ARCS was measured in randomly selected samples from each workplace. The maximum and minimum average of ARCS concentration in the eight workplaces were observed in foundry operation (0.338 ± 0.110 mg/m3) and glass manufacturing (0.125 ± 0.093 mg/m3), respectively. The average concentration of ARCS in all assessed working conditions were higher than the permitted limit of occupational contact recommended by Technical Committee of the Iranian Ministry of Health, treatment and medical education (0.025 mg/m3). Overall, the results showed a serious lack of control in Iranian industries with respect to workers' exposures to ARCS.