Indoor Air Quality in Steel Rolling Industries and Possible Health Effects

Indoor air quality has significant impacts on occupational health, workers' comfort and their productivity. The aim of this study was to assess indoor air quality in a rolling steel plant and to identify corrective measures that could help improve indoor air quality. Many...

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Main Authors: Kamel K. Al-Zboon, Osric Tening Forton
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Mahidol University 2019-06-01
Series:Environment and Natural Resources Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ennrj/article/view/194435/135280
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author Kamel K. Al-Zboon
Osric Tening Forton
author_facet Kamel K. Al-Zboon
Osric Tening Forton
author_sort Kamel K. Al-Zboon
collection DOAJ
description Indoor air quality has significant impacts on occupational health, workers' comfort and their productivity. The aim of this study was to assess indoor air quality in a rolling steel plant and to identify corrective measures that could help improve indoor air quality. Many air quality indicators, namely: CO, CO2, VOCs, NOx, SO2, O3, PM10and PM2.5 were assessed as part of the study. The results obtained showed that higher concentrations of CO, VOCs, were found at the furnace area, while the rolling and quenching process area has the higher concentration of SO2and CO2respectively. PM10and PM2.5 exceeded the international standards in most of the measuring points. Potential negative health effects are expected due to the high temperature and VOCs at the furnace area in addition to the high particulate matters level in all points.Hazard indices (HI) were found to be >1 for all sites indicating possible health risk mainly due to the particulate matter. The respiratory system is the most affected organ, followed by cardiovascular system, then the eye irritation. Based on the potential health risks identified, the paper concludes with some recommendations for protecting workers'health. These includesetting local standards for indoor air quality, applying job rotation strategy, periodical medical checks, good ventilation and conducting further studies concerning long-term effect of indoor air quality on occupational health.
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spelling doaj.art-8b17a43c0e29425d9ce64d12b4db44152022-12-22T01:42:01ZengMahidol UniversityEnvironment and Natural Resources Journal1686-54562408-23842019-06-01174202910.32526/ennrj.17.4.2019.28Indoor Air Quality in Steel Rolling Industries and Possible Health EffectsKamel K. Al-Zboon0Osric Tening Forton1Department of Environmental Engineering, Huson College, Al-Balqa Applied University, Irbid, JordanSafeguards and Compliance Department (SNSC), African Development Bank Group,Avenue Joseph Anoma,01 BP 1387 Abidjan 01,Côte d'IvoireIndoor air quality has significant impacts on occupational health, workers' comfort and their productivity. The aim of this study was to assess indoor air quality in a rolling steel plant and to identify corrective measures that could help improve indoor air quality. Many air quality indicators, namely: CO, CO2, VOCs, NOx, SO2, O3, PM10and PM2.5 were assessed as part of the study. The results obtained showed that higher concentrations of CO, VOCs, were found at the furnace area, while the rolling and quenching process area has the higher concentration of SO2and CO2respectively. PM10and PM2.5 exceeded the international standards in most of the measuring points. Potential negative health effects are expected due to the high temperature and VOCs at the furnace area in addition to the high particulate matters level in all points.Hazard indices (HI) were found to be >1 for all sites indicating possible health risk mainly due to the particulate matter. The respiratory system is the most affected organ, followed by cardiovascular system, then the eye irritation. Based on the potential health risks identified, the paper concludes with some recommendations for protecting workers'health. These includesetting local standards for indoor air quality, applying job rotation strategy, periodical medical checks, good ventilation and conducting further studies concerning long-term effect of indoor air quality on occupational health.https://www.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ennrj/article/view/194435/135280Air pollutionIndoor air qualitySteel industryGasesPM10PM2.5VOCs
spellingShingle Kamel K. Al-Zboon
Osric Tening Forton
Indoor Air Quality in Steel Rolling Industries and Possible Health Effects
Environment and Natural Resources Journal
Air pollution
Indoor air quality
Steel industry
Gases
PM10
PM2.5
VOCs
title Indoor Air Quality in Steel Rolling Industries and Possible Health Effects
title_full Indoor Air Quality in Steel Rolling Industries and Possible Health Effects
title_fullStr Indoor Air Quality in Steel Rolling Industries and Possible Health Effects
title_full_unstemmed Indoor Air Quality in Steel Rolling Industries and Possible Health Effects
title_short Indoor Air Quality in Steel Rolling Industries and Possible Health Effects
title_sort indoor air quality in steel rolling industries and possible health effects
topic Air pollution
Indoor air quality
Steel industry
Gases
PM10
PM2.5
VOCs
url https://www.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ennrj/article/view/194435/135280
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