Use of Low-Cost Sensors to Characterize Occupational Exposure to PM2.5 Concentrations Inside an Industrial Facility in Santa Ana, CA: Results from a Worker- and Community-Led Pilot Study

Atmosphere

Shahir Masri¹  Jun Wu¹  Jose Rea² 

[1] Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA;Madison Park Neighborhood Association, GREEN-MPNA Programs, Santa Ana, CA 92707, USA;

关键词: PM_2.5;    air pollution;    exposure assessment;    citizen science;    occupational exposure;    welder;   

DOI  :  10.3390/atmos13050722

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

PM_2.5 is an air contaminant that has been widely associated with adverse respiratory and cardiovascular health, leading to increased hospital admissions and mortality. Following concerns reported by workers at an industrial facility located in Santa Ana, California, workers and community leaders collaborated with experts in the development of an air monitoring pilot study to measure PM_2.5 concentrations to which employees and local residents are exposed during factory operating hours. To detect PM_2.5, participants wore government-validated AtmoTube Pro personal air monitoring devices during three separate workdays (5 AM–1:30 PM) in August 2021. Results demonstrated a mean PM_2.5 level inside the facility of 112.3 µg/m³, nearly seven-times greater than outdoors (17.3 µg/m³). Of the eight workers who wore personal indoor sampling devices, five showed measurements over 100 μg/m³. Welding-related activity inside the facility resulted in the greatest PM_2.5 concentrations. This study demonstrates the utility of using low-cost air quality sensors combined with employee knowledge and participation for the investigation of workplace air pollution exposure as well as facilitation of greater health-related awareness, education, and empowerment among workers and community members. Results also underscore the need for basic measures of indoor air pollution control paired with ongoing air monitoring within the Santa Ana facility, and the importance of future air monitoring studies aimed at industrial facilities.

【 授权许可】

Unknown