Characteristics of Aerosol Loading at Foundry Sites of an Automotive Industry Plant

Introduction: The results of previous studies lack comprehensive data on the composition of industrial aerosols at modern foundries, which limits opportunities of developing targeted preventive programs in view of recent technological changes.

Objective: An in-depth characterization of the qualitative and quantitative composition of aerosols in the workplace air at various production sites of the foundry of an automotive industry plant.

Materials and methods: The study was conducted at iron and non-ferrous casting production facilities (smelting, casting, molding, core, and chipping sections). Workplace air samples were taken simultaneously at the same sites to establish the 8-hour time-weighted average concentration, fractional and chemical composition of aerosols, and concentrations of volatile organic compounds. Sampling was carried out on quartz filters and cartridges with carbon absorbent using personal samplers and on polyvinylchloride filters using an 8-stage cascade impactor to determine particle size distribution in the aerodynamic range of less than 18 μm.

Results: The workplace air at the foundry was contaminated with industrial aerosols of complex composition. At all the sites, suspended particles capable of being deposited in the respiratory system were represented by the respirable fraction and the finely dispersed (10 to 18 μm) part of the extrathoracic fraction. We found a high proportion of ultrafine particles in the smelting and casting areas. The proportion of silica dust was within 10 %. Volatile organic compounds causing irritation and sensitization, having remote mutagenic and carcinogenic effects and potential reproductive toxicity were found in the air samples.

Conclusions: Combined exposures to fibrogenic aerosols, toxic metals, and volatile organic compounds may increase the risk of respiratory diseases. The presence of an ultrafine fraction accounts for increased biological activity of the aerosol. Epidemiological studies are needed, as well as the development of comprehensive preventive programs that consider specifics of modern foundries.

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