Risk Assessment of the Workers’ Exposure to inhalable Wood Dust in the carpentries in Sari City

More than 2 million people are exposed to wood dusts every day around the world. Exposure to wood dust increases the prevalence of respiratory diseases and cancer incidence. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the risk assessment of workers exposure to inhalable wood dust in the carpentries in Sari City.

This cross-sectional study conducted in 27 carpentries in Sari City in septumber, October and November ,2017. 43 workers were selected randomly. Inhalable wood dust were measured in the basis of the standard method number 0500 recommended by NIOSH using a calibrated personal sampling pump and an IOM sampler. The risk of exposure to wood dust then was measured using a recommended method by Singapore institute of occupational safety and health.

The average concentration of the inhalable wood dust in total carpentries was 15.30( mg)/m^3 and also in carpentries , MDF cutting, MDF/Carpentry, wood cutting, furniture making and wood carving workshops were 18.58±11.94, 19.49±17.3,8.32±7.5,10.48±6.05,3.44±3.98,4.77±0 mg/m^3 respectively. There was a significant correlation between the concentration of inhalable wood dust and the ambient temperature and the general ventilation. The risk of Exposure to inhalable wood dust were evaluated in the medium levels for all workshops.

The workers’ personal exposure to inhalable wood dust in carpentries in sari city was higher than Occupational Exposure Limit recommended by national and international recommended levels. The higher workers’ exposure to inhalable wood dust was found in lower ambient temperature and in the absence of general ventilation.