Table 1
Particular matter levels in different sections of the steel factory.
| Factory Section | Minimum level in μg/m3 | Maximum level in μg/m3 | Mean level in μg/m3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Induction furnace area when Non-galvanized iron melted | 115.2 | 8,754.6 | 1,025.0 ± 0.4 |
| Induction furnace when galvanized iron melted | 152.0 | 17,821.2 | 2061.1 ± 306.7 |
| First stage dice area | 862.6 | 6,523.7 | 2,927.0 ± 1,782.4 |
| Second stage dice area | 109.0 | 1,088.0 | 308.5 ± 24.4 |
| Nail production | 110.1 | 2,033.5 | 236.3 ± 19.3 |
| Nail cleaning | 597 | 84.6 | 153.7 ± 67.1 |
Table 2
PM2.5 and PM10 mean levels and diameter in different section of the steel factory.
| Factory section | Mean PM2.5 level in μg/m3 | Mean PM2.5 diameter in μm | Mean PM10 level in μg/m3 | Mean PM10 diameter in μm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Induction furnace area when non-galvanized iron melted | 853.4 ± 1,537.9 | 1.4 ± 0.5 | 156.0 ± 21.7 | 2.7 ± 0.6 |
| Induction furnace when galvanized iron melted | 2,159.3 ± 322.7 | 1.2 ± 0.5 | 1,393.2 ± 1,541.6 | 3.3 ± 0.7 |
| First stage dice area | 2,629.3 ± 183.5 | 1.9 ± 1.4 | 4,311.0 ± 180.5 | 3.4 ± 0.7 |
| Second stage dice area | 341.3 ± 239.9 | 1.2 ± 0.5 | 494.5 ± 210.6 | 3.3 ± 0.6 |
| Nail production | 220.1 ± 224.8 | 1.8 ± 0.4 | 252.5 ± 158.1 | 3.1 ± 0.5 |
| Nail cleaning | 151.1 ± 64.0 | 1.2 ± 0.4 | 203.8 ± 120.2 | 2.7 ± 0.2 |
[i] PM2.5 denotes: Fine particulate matte.
PM10 denotes: Course particulate matter.
Table 3
Self-reported behaviors, environmental exposures and respiratory symptoms among participating workers.
| Characteristic | Yes | No | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Percentage | Number | Percentage | |
| Alcohol use | 45 | 60 | 30 | 40 |
| Tobacco smoking | 1 | 1 | 74 | 99 |
| Personal protective equipment use | 54 | 72 | 21 | 28 |
| Breathing difficult | 19 | 25 | 56 | 75 |
| Wheezing | 24 | 32 | 51 | 68 |
| Sneezing | 29 | 39 | 46 | 61 |