Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Supplement 2022
Green coffee allergy and exposure to nanoparticles in harbour workers
Dublin Core
Title
Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Supplement 2022
Green coffee allergy and exposure to nanoparticles in harbour workers
Green coffee allergy and exposure to nanoparticles in harbour workers
Subject
Green coffee, allergy, exposure, nanoparticles ,harbour,workers
Description
Introduction: The exposure to Green coffee beans (GCB) powders can cause allergic symptoms. The presence of ultrafine powders (below 100 nm) can increase the risk of inhalation and can induce the sensitization process in exposed workers. The aim of our study was to investigate the exposure to ultrafine particles in workers handling GCB sacks in Trieste harbor. Material and methods: Utrafine particles exposure was investi-
gated during the handling of GCB sacks in dock workers in Trieste
by means of a portable particles counter DISCMIN during different
work tasks. Inhalable and respirable dust exposures were evaluated
by means of personal and environmental pumps.
Results: During some work tasks CGB ultrafine particles resulted
significantly higher compared to background: inside the containers
the geometric average of particles was over 45.000/cm3 with a
geometric average size of 37.271.35 nm. During the emptying of
the sacks the number of ultrafine particles reached the 39.000/cm3.
Total and respirable powders exposure during different work tasks
resulted below the TLV-TWA limits. Work related oculorinitis was
reported by the 7.1% of workers. Spirometry and exhaled nitric
oxide were normal.
Conclusion: During the handling of GCB sacks the level of ultrafine
particles resulted high suggesting a possible relevant exposure to
green coffee allergens, despite the values below the TLV-TWA for
respirable powders. More efforts are needed to prevent the expo-
sure to ultrafine particles containing allergens using personal
protective equipment such as FFP3 masks and increasing ventila-
tion.
gated during the handling of GCB sacks in dock workers in Trieste
by means of a portable particles counter DISCMIN during different
work tasks. Inhalable and respirable dust exposures were evaluated
by means of personal and environmental pumps.
Results: During some work tasks CGB ultrafine particles resulted
significantly higher compared to background: inside the containers
the geometric average of particles was over 45.000/cm3 with a
geometric average size of 37.271.35 nm. During the emptying of
the sacks the number of ultrafine particles reached the 39.000/cm3.
Total and respirable powders exposure during different work tasks
resulted below the TLV-TWA limits. Work related oculorinitis was
reported by the 7.1% of workers. Spirometry and exhaled nitric
oxide were normal.
Conclusion: During the handling of GCB sacks the level of ultrafine
particles resulted high suggesting a possible relevant exposure to
green coffee allergens, despite the values below the TLV-TWA for
respirable powders. More efforts are needed to prevent the expo-
sure to ultrafine particles containing allergens using personal
protective equipment such as FFP3 masks and increasing ventila-
tion.
Creator
Francesca Larese Filon, Francesca Rui, Anna Gasperazzo and Paolo Toffanin
Publisher
Elsevier Korea LLC
Date
January 2022
Contributor
Sri Wahyuni
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Text
Coverage
Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Supplement 2022
Files
Citation
Francesca Larese Filon, Francesca Rui, Anna Gasperazzo and Paolo Toffanin, “Safety and Health at Work Vol. 13 Supplement 2022
Green coffee allergy and exposure to nanoparticles in harbour workers,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 3, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2445.
Green coffee allergy and exposure to nanoparticles in harbour workers,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 3, 2025, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/2445.