Safety and Health at Work

Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (산업안전보건연구원)
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Odor Thresholds and Breathing Changes of Human Volunteers as Consequences of Sulphur Dioxide Exposure Considering Individual Factors

  • Kleinbeck, Stefan (Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors) ;
  • Schaper, Michael (Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors) ;
  • Juran, Stephanie A. (Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors) ;
  • Kiesswetter, Ernst (Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors) ;
  • Blaszkewicz, Meinolf (Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors) ;
  • Golka, Klaus (Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors) ;
  • Zimmermann, Anna (Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors) ;
  • Bruning, Thomas (IPA - Research Institute of Occupational Medicine, German Social Accident Insurance, Ruhr-Universitat Bochum) ;
  • Van Thriel, Christoph (Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors)
  • Received : 2011.07.21
  • Accepted : 2011.10.04
  • Published : 2011.12.30
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Abstract

Objectives: Though sulfur dioxide (SO2) is used widely at workplaces, itseffects on humans are not known. Thresholds are reportedwithout reference to gender or age and occupational exposure limits are basedon effects on lung functioning, although localized effects in the upper airways can be expected. This study's aim is to determine thresholds with respect to age and gender and suggests a new approach to risk assessment using breathing reflexes presumably triggered by trigeminal receptors in the upper airways. Methods: Odor thresholds were determined by the ascending method of limits in groups stratified by age and gender. Subjects rated intensities of different olfactory and trigeminal perceptions at different concentrations of $SO_2$. During the presentation of the concentrations, breathing movements were measured by respiratory inductive plethysmography. Results: Neither age nor gender effects were observed for odor threshold. Only ratings of nasal irritation were influenced bygender. A benchmark dose analysis on relative respiratory depth revealed a 10%-deviation from baseline at about 25.27 mg/$m^3$. Conclusion: The proposed new approach to risk assessment appearsto be sustainable. We discuss whether a 10%-deviation of breathingdepth is relevant.

Keywords

References

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