Risk assessment of occupational exposure to cement inhalable particles and recommendation of control strategies in a cement factory

Exposure to respirable cement dust cause some adverse health effects on exposed workers. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of occupational exposure to respirable cement dust for a cement factory's workers and recommend controlling methods to reduce the risk of exposure.
The 0600 standard method of NIOSH was applied to evaluate worker's exposure to cement respirable particles using a personal sampling pump, a cyclone and a filter. For risk assessment of cement respirable particles, a standard method which provided by the Institute of the occupational health and Safety in Singapore was used. Finally, the risk level of exposure to respirable cement particles was assessed.
The results of this study showed that most workers employed in various worksites of the cement production were exposed to dust higher than the OEL recommended by the Technical Committee of occupational health in Iran, and the TLV recommended by ACGIH. Exposure risk assessment in different parts of cement factory showed a moderate risk level for all worksites.
Employees who were working in different worksites of the plant were exposed to risk of cement respirable particles. Thus, the control methods of exposure to particles are suggested.