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http://dx.doi.org/10.15269/JKSOEH.2017.27.4.313

Occupational Factors Influencing the Forklift Operators' Exposure to Black Carbon  

Lee, Hyemin (Department of Environmental Health Systems, Graduate School of Korea National Open University)
Lee, Seunghee (Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open University)
Ryu, Seung-Hun (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
Park, Jihoon (Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
Park, Dong-Uk (Department of Environmental Health Systems, Graduate School of Korea National Open University)
Publication Information
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene / v.27, no.4, 2017 , pp. 313-323 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to assess exposure to black carbon(BC) among forklift operators and to identify environmental and occupational factors influencing their BC exposure. Methods: We studied a total of 23 forklift operators from six workplaces manufacturing paper boxes. A daily BC exposure assessment was conducted during working hours from January to April 2017. A micro-aethalometer was used to monitor daily BC exposure, and information on work activities was also obtained through a time-activity diary(TAD) and interviews. BC exposure records were classified into four categories influencing BC exposure level: working environment, workplace, forklift operation, and job characteristics. Analysis of variance(ANOVA) was used to compare average BC exposure levels among the four categories and the relationships between potential factors and BC exposure were analyzed using a multiple linear regression model. Results: The operators' daily exposure was $12.9{\mu}g/m^3$(N=9,148, $GM=7.5{\mu}g/m^3$) with a range: $0.001-811.4{\mu}g/m^3$. The operators were exposed to significantly higher levels when they operate a forklift in a room ${\leq}20,000m^3$($AM=12.3{\mu}g/m^3$), in indoor workplaces($AM=16.3{\mu}g/m^3$), when they operate a forklift manufactured before 2006 ($AM=13.2{\mu}g/m^3$), a forklift with a loading limit of four-tons($AM=27.1{\mu}g/m^3$), with a roll and bale type clamp($AM=17.1{\mu}g/m^3$), and with no particulate filter($AM=15.7{\mu}g/m^3$). Conclusions: Occupational factors including temperature, smoking, season, daytime, room volume($m^3$), location of operating, and manufacturing era and model of forklift influenced the BC exposure of forklift operators. The results of this study can be used to minimize the BC exposure of forklift operators.
Keywords
Black carbon; diesel engine exhaust emissions; exposure; forklift operator; time-activity diary;
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Times Cited By KSCI : 2  (Citation Analysis)
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