Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute, Łódź, Poland (Department of Personal Protective Equipment).
Lodz University of Technology, Łódź, Poland (Department of Environmental Biotechnology).
Med Pr. 2023 Dec 15;74(5):363-375. doi: 10.13075/mp.5893.01441. Epub 2023 Dec 5.
The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) in reducing odour nuisances in agricultural work environment. Additionally, an assessment was conducted on the microbiological contamination of FFRs and the functionality of Time4Mask application in enhancing workplace safety.
Two types of FFRs were used for the study: with absorbing properties and reference ones. The research was carried out in 6 livestock rooms during a 1-week period in early spring (February-March 2021) on a farm in central Poland. The microclimate conditions (thermoanemometer), and particulate matter concentrations (laser photometer) were assessed. Additionally, the odour content in the studied rooms and the breathing zone of FFR users (gas chromatography with mass spectrometry) were evaluated. The number of microorganisms on the respirators was determined (cultivation method), followed by their identification (biochemical tests, taxonomic keys). Breakthrough curves were determined for both FFR types to assess absorption capabilities.
The average temperature in the livestock rooms was about 13°C, relative humidity - 53%, air flow velocity - 0.21 m/s, and particulate matter concentration - 0.216 mg/m. A significant variety of odorants was found in the environment and the breathing zone under the FFRs. Bacterial counts ranged between 2.4 × 10 and 2.6 × 10 CFU/cm, fungi between 3.2 × 10 and 5.4 × 10 CFU/cm, xerophilic fungi from 4.4 × 10 to 4.0 × 10 CFU/cm, mannitol-positive staphylococci between 1.6 × 10 and 1.0 × 10 CFU/cm, and haemolytic staphylococci from 2.2 × 10 to 4.5 × 10 CFU/cm, depending on the respirator type. Respirators were colonized by bacteria from the genera: , , actinobacteria sp., and fungi: , , , , and . Respirators with absorbing properties had over 8-times longer breakthrough time than reference ones.
Respirators with activated carbon effectively improved work comfort when exposed to odours. Due to growth of microorganisms in the respirator materials, periodic replacement is necessary. It is crucial to provide workers with information about the safe-use time of respirators, considering environmental conditions. This is achievable using modern IT tools like Time4Mask application. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2023;76(5):363-75.
本研究旨在评估过滤式面罩（FFR）在减少农业工作环境中的异味危害方面的有效性。此外，还评估了 FFR 的微生物污染情况以及 Time4Mask 应用程序在增强工作场所安全性方面的功能。
研究使用了两种类型的 FFR：具有吸附性能的和参考型的。该研究于 2021 年早春（2 月至 3 月）在波兰中部的一个农场的 6 个牲畜棚中进行了为期一周的研究。评估了微气候条件（热风速计）和颗粒物浓度（激光光度计）。此外，还评估了研究室内的气味含量和 FFR 用户的呼吸区（气相色谱-质谱联用）。通过培养法测定了 FFR 上的微生物数量，然后通过生化试验和分类学指南对其进行了鉴定。为了评估吸附能力，确定了两种 FFR 类型的穿透曲线。
牲畜棚内的平均温度约为 13°C，相对湿度为 53%，气流速度为 0.21 m/s，颗粒物浓度为 0.216 mg/m。在 FFR 下的环境和呼吸区中发现了大量不同的气味物质。细菌计数在 2.4×10 和 2.6×10 CFU/cm 之间，真菌计数在 3.2×10 和 5.4×10 CFU/cm 之间，嗜干性真菌计数在 4.4×10 和 4.0×10 CFU/cm 之间，甘露醇阳性葡萄球菌计数在 1.6×10 和 1.0×10 CFU/cm 之间，溶血性葡萄球菌计数在 2.2×10 和 4.5×10 CFU/cm 之间，具体取决于 FFR 类型。细菌来自以下属： 、 、放线菌属 种，真菌来自以下属： 、 、 、 、 。具有活性炭的 FFR 有效改善了暴露于异味时的工作舒适度。由于在 FFR 材料中微生物的生长，需要定期更换。为了考虑环境条件，向工人提供有关 FFR 安全使用时间的信息至关重要。这可以通过现代 IT 工具如 Time4Mask 应用程序来实现。劳动医学与职业病学杂志. 2023;76(5):363-75.
