Analysis of Chainsaw Emissions during Chestnut Wood Operations and Their Health Implications
In Italy, the use of chainsaws for field operations such as Felling (FE), Delimbing (DE), and Bucking (BU) is widespread due to the topography, the medium–small size of farms, and the predominant presence of broad-leaved forests managed through coppicing. However, this has led to an increase in inju...
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/6/2496 |
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| author | Paola D’Antonio Francesco Toscano Nicola Moretti Nicolino De Iorio Costanza Fiorentino |
| author_facet | Paola D’Antonio Francesco Toscano Nicola Moretti Nicolino De Iorio Costanza Fiorentino |
| author_sort | Paola D’Antonio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In Italy, the use of chainsaws for field operations such as Felling (FE), Delimbing (DE), and Bucking (BU) is widespread due to the topography, the medium–small size of farms, and the predominant presence of broad-leaved forests managed through coppicing. However, this has led to an increase in injuries and illnesses due to exposure to physical factors (e.g., noise, dust, and vibrations) and chemical agents (e.g., various volatile compounds). Occupational health and safety legislation in Italy has undergone several phases, including the approval of U.T. 81/2008. The present study aims to evaluate the noise generated by chainsaws and the concentration of pollutants (CO, VOC, and C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>6</sub>) present in chainsaw exhaust gases during interventions in a chestnut coppice in relation to the limits set by current legislation. The analysis of the noise generated by chainsaws during chestnut cutting operations showed that it exceeded the legal noise limits during all chainsaw activities, with peak levels of about 110 dB. The detected noise could cause important critical issues in relation to the health and safety of specialized operators. Furthermore, the correlation between the specific work (FE, DE, and BU) and the ratio between maximum and average values of CO and VOC emissions was evaluated. Notably, comparable levels of maximum VOC emissions were observed during the FE and BU phases. However, the average emission values during these phases exhibited significant differences, suggesting higher VOC production when the engine was running but not actively engaged in cutting. The highest emissions were recorded during the FE phase (CO = 135 ppm, VOC = 17.28 ppm, and C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>6</sub> = 2.13 ppm). |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:34:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0e4b6dbb647c4721aea69b603e3a8896 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:34:02Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-0e4b6dbb647c4721aea69b603e3a88962024-03-27T13:19:53ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-03-01146249610.3390/app14062496Analysis of Chainsaw Emissions during Chestnut Wood Operations and Their Health ImplicationsPaola D’Antonio0Francesco Toscano1Nicola Moretti2Nicolino De Iorio3Costanza Fiorentino4School of Agricultural, Forestry, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, ItalySchool of Agricultural, Forestry, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, ItalySchool of Agricultural, Forestry, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, ItalySchool of Agricultural, Forestry, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, ItalySchool of Agricultural, Forestry, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, ItalyIn Italy, the use of chainsaws for field operations such as Felling (FE), Delimbing (DE), and Bucking (BU) is widespread due to the topography, the medium–small size of farms, and the predominant presence of broad-leaved forests managed through coppicing. However, this has led to an increase in injuries and illnesses due to exposure to physical factors (e.g., noise, dust, and vibrations) and chemical agents (e.g., various volatile compounds). Occupational health and safety legislation in Italy has undergone several phases, including the approval of U.T. 81/2008. The present study aims to evaluate the noise generated by chainsaws and the concentration of pollutants (CO, VOC, and C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>6</sub>) present in chainsaw exhaust gases during interventions in a chestnut coppice in relation to the limits set by current legislation. The analysis of the noise generated by chainsaws during chestnut cutting operations showed that it exceeded the legal noise limits during all chainsaw activities, with peak levels of about 110 dB. The detected noise could cause important critical issues in relation to the health and safety of specialized operators. Furthermore, the correlation between the specific work (FE, DE, and BU) and the ratio between maximum and average values of CO and VOC emissions was evaluated. Notably, comparable levels of maximum VOC emissions were observed during the FE and BU phases. However, the average emission values during these phases exhibited significant differences, suggesting higher VOC production when the engine was running but not actively engaged in cutting. The highest emissions were recorded during the FE phase (CO = 135 ppm, VOC = 17.28 ppm, and C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>6</sub> = 2.13 ppm).https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/6/2496chainsawsoccupational health and safetynoisegas emissionsforest-work injuries |
| spellingShingle | Paola D’Antonio Francesco Toscano Nicola Moretti Nicolino De Iorio Costanza Fiorentino Analysis of Chainsaw Emissions during Chestnut Wood Operations and Their Health Implications Applied Sciences chainsaws occupational health and safety noise gas emissions forest-work injuries |
| title | Analysis of Chainsaw Emissions during Chestnut Wood Operations and Their Health Implications |
| title_full | Analysis of Chainsaw Emissions during Chestnut Wood Operations and Their Health Implications |
| title_fullStr | Analysis of Chainsaw Emissions during Chestnut Wood Operations and Their Health Implications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysis of Chainsaw Emissions during Chestnut Wood Operations and Their Health Implications |
| title_short | Analysis of Chainsaw Emissions during Chestnut Wood Operations and Their Health Implications |
| title_sort | analysis of chainsaw emissions during chestnut wood operations and their health implications |
| topic | chainsaws occupational health and safety noise gas emissions forest-work injuries |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/6/2496 |
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