Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Commons^™

Patrol Car Swab Sampling For Biological Agents, Haylie Corcho

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Law enforcement personnel have a variety of responsibilities and subsequently, a variety of different exposures. Biological agents are common in the environment and therefore, these exposures are a concern in the profession. There is a gap in research into biological agent exposures in this profession, particularly how it relates to surface contamination and within the officers’ vehicles. There is also a lack of standardized decontamination procedures for patrol vehicles, allowing for the potential persistence of these agents. The purpose of this study is to understand which biological agents are most common in patrol cars, which areas within the vehicles have …

An Assessment Of A Haptic-Based Ergonomic Intervention At An Aerospace Manufacturing Facility, Chase Mcdonald

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of a haptic-based intervention designed to reduce hand motions and, consequently, the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among operators in a manufacturing facility. The intervention involved using ergonomic gloves equipped with haptic feedback, intended to encourage proper hand motion and reduce unnecessary movements.

Over a six-month period, data was collected from operators wearing the haptic gloves, focusing on two key metrics: Duty Cycle and Motion Rate. These metrics were chosen to normalize the data, accounting for the variability in duration for each individual operator who wore the device. …

Incidence Of Reportable Exertional Heat Illness During Deepwater Horizon Cleanup, Fisher R. Morris

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between incidence of recordable exertional heat illness (EHI) and daily high wet bulb globe temperature (WBGTmax) or daily high Heat Index (HImax). Additionally, the effect of the previous day’s exposure to heat stress was investigated. Illness and injury records were collected during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill response. All OSHA recordable EHI cases were extracted for study. The highest estimated WBGT and HI on the day of incident were compared to the prior day. The overall incidence of recordable EHIs was 0.74 cases/100 FTE and the incidence for exposures ≥ …

Risk Assessment Of Blood-Borne Pathogen Exposure For Emergency Responders, Jill A. Ireland

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Emergency responders face a significant risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens (BBPs), such as HIV and hepatitis, due to the nature of their work environment. This study investigates this issue utilizing a dual approach of data analysis and online surveys to assess exposure rates, risk perceptions, factors that contribute to risk and prevention practices. In addressing issues ranging from personal protective equipment (PPE) usage to levels of concern surrounding blood and bodily fluid contact, the findings underscore the need for tailored safety measures, comprehensive education, and improved prevention strategies.

The examination of 346 worker's compensation exposure claims highlighted a significant …

Interrelationships Among Local Values Of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, Heat Index, And Adjusted Temperature, Andrea Giraldo

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Occupational heat stress significantly affects outdoor workers who face challenges due to increased heat exposure. Because of the prevalence of heat illness, it is important to measure heat stress for outdoor workers. Monitoring occupational heat stress most often relies on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) measure. Heat Index (HI) is a widely used measure to account for air temperature and humidity. Adjusted Temperature (Tadj) considers air temperature, humidity and estimates radiant heat. There is interest in predicting WBGT from HI and HI from WBGT. This study builds on previous USF research by Bernard and Iheanacho and Irvin to evaluate …

Use Of Silica Dust And Lunar Simulants For Assessing Lunar Regolith Exposure, Layzamarie Irizarry-Colon

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The utilization of the lunar regolith holds immense potential for future space exploration, but the potential health risks associated with lunar regolith are a significant concern. This literature review seeks to critically assess the use of silica and lunar simulants standards and permissible exposure limits (PELs) to evaluate the adverse health effects of lunar regolith. The literature review covers an extensive analysis of existing research, health risks, toxicological properties, and physical and chemical composition associated with silica, lunar simulants, and lunar regolith by using three main sources: regulations, scholarly articles, and Kennedy Space Center (KSC) discussion. This comprehensive analysis forms …

Assessment Of Iso Heart Rate Method To Estimate Metabolic Rate, Karl Williams

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Thermal equilibrium is primarily maintained by the body’s ability to dissipate internal heat generated during muscle contraction. A number of methods have been used to quantify this thermal burden such as charts and observation of workplace activities and behavior, however these have varying levels of validity. ISO 8996 defines a more accurate method of metabolic rate estimation that uses heart rate and maximal work capacity (MWC); however this requires the use of laboratory settings and equipment that are rarely available in the field. Equations such as the ACSM metabolic equation for the total energy expenditure of walking, hereafter referred to …

A Study Of Relationship Between Exertional Heat Illness And Heat Stress Levels, Rolando J. Fargas-Martinez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Heat stress is clearly associated exertional heat illnesses (EHI) in workers in a number of studies. With expected increase in extreme thermal changes, an increase understanding the effects of heat stress conditions is necessary. The purpose of this study was to compare heat stress levels in a manufacturing plant to determine whether a relationship exists between heat stress level relative to the occupational exposure limit and exertional heat illness incidents.Methods: OSHA recordable heat illness cases (n=35) were collected over a three year period. Over the same period, hourly ambient Heat Index data was collected. For this manufacturing plant, heat …

Evaluation Of Two Methods To Estimate Wet Bulb Globe Temperature From Heat Index, Stephi Pofanl

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) is a common method to evaluate environmental factors that contribute to occupational heat stress. The Heat Index (HI) is readily available as an alternative to exposure methods. They both assess the most important contributors that are air temperature and humidity. WBGT also includes radiant heat and air motion. To account for radiant heat and/or air motion, some investigators have suggested adjustments to HI. The purpose of this study is to explore two methods to estimate the usefulness of WBGT from HI.

WBGT data were collected in a variety of locations that included direct sun …

Relationships Between Leading And Trailing Indicators At Construction Sites In Yanbu Industrial City, Saudi Arabia, Anas H. Halloul

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Statement of Purpose: This study sought to assess the relationship between leading and lagging indicators in construction safety Management in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In particular, it sought to determine whether construction sites with higher leading indicators predicted fewer incidents/accidents.Rationale for Study: Construction safety management is a critical occupational health concern globally. Scholars have researched approaches to improve safety measures and performance in construction sites. However, there is little discourse assessing the relationship between the leading indicators and the occurrence of incidents and accidents in construction sites. General Methods: A quantitative analysis was used in this study. Data were …

Crosswalking Wet Bulb Globe Temperature And Heat Index, Paul Irvin

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) is a common metric to represent the environmental conditions in the assessment of heat stress. Because WBGT requires some technical expertise and sufficiently accurate equipment, there is interest in using heat index (HI) as a substitute index for the environment. Because the underlying science for understanding heat stress exposures does not exist for HI, it is necessary to crosswalk between HI and a data-driven exposure method. Expanding upon previous research, the focus of this study is the exploration of the interrelationships between WBGT and HI. The simulated weather data of Morris et. al. (2019) served …

A Study Of Noise Exposures For Amusement Park Employees By Positions And Ride Categories, Danielle M. Dao

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Millions of workers in the United States encounter daily noise exposures in their workplace, associated with millions of dollars in workers compensation annually. Many industries have been well studied for the presence of hazardous noise, but little exposure data exists for the amusement park industry.Major attractions found at amusement parks fall within one of three categories and in each of those categories, five employee positions are common. This thesis sought to identify if there are differences in potential employee noise exposure among the ride types and if there are differences in noise exposure among the employee positions. The analysis of …

Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Disinfectant-Impregnated Wipes Versus Detergent Wipes For Surface Decontamination, Jacob Amadin

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Over time, there is an increased need to adopt more advanced and effective ways of disinfection. The emergence of the coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic reminded the world on the importance of disinfection. Disinfection has been a routine in the healthcare setting. However, with the current pandemic problem, it is more prominently and persistently done in the domestic setting and other business settings beyond healthcare. As such, the use of most disinfectants and detergent wipes to achieve a near sanitized environment has become a common practice around the globe. This research presents the efficacy of disinfectant impregnated versus detergents wipes through comparison. …

Face Mask Use To Protect Against Covid-19; Importance Of Substrate, Fit, And User Tendencies, Evelyn Kassel

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In 2019, a novel respiratory illness appeared in China and spread rapidly though the country. It was determined that the SARS–CoV-2 virus was the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of 2020, almost every continent was experiencing the effects of COVID-19. The virus caused health officials difficulty in determining its route of transmission. They worked tirelessly to discover it was spread via respiratory droplets. Panicked buyers wiped out protective equipment like medical masks and respirators, regardless of what was needed. Essential employees and first responders were subject to large scale personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages as health organizations …

Does Time-Weighted Averaging For Wbgt And Metabolic Rate Work For Work-Recovery Cycles?, John W. Flach

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Heat stress affects thousands of works annually by causing heat-related illnesses. Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) is a widely accepted metric to assess the environmental contributions to heat stress. WBGT-based occupational exposure limits (OELs) include the ACGIH TLVs and the NIOSH RELs. The OEL threshold is adjusted downward with increasing metabolic rate. Further, there is an OEL for acclimatized and non-acclimatized workers. An often-recommended intervention found within a heat stress management program is work-recovery cycles to manage exposure. To prescribe work-recovery cycles, the common practice is to use time-weighted averaging (TWA) for the WBGT and the metabolic rate. The purpose …

Acclimatization Protocols And Their Outcomes, Ayub M. Odera

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Heat acclimatization provides the opportunity to better tolerate heat stress. Different methods are used to acclimatize participants as part of heat stress studies in the laboratory. The usual acclimatization protocols are greater than the occupational exposure limit represented by the ACGIH TLV® and NIOSH REL. The purpose of this paper was to examine the acclimatization state prior to and at the end of a one-week acclimatization program using two acclimatization protocols.

Prior heat stress studies at the University of South Florida (USF) used two heat stress conditions for participants’ acclimatization. Participants (n = 43) were evaluated using four different studies …

Using Observations From The Uaw-Ford Ergonomic Assessment Tool To Predict Distal Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders, Zachariah T. Brandes-Powell

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Distal upper extremity (DUE) musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect thousands of workers annually. Job tasks can have a significant amount of MSD risk depending on the presence of certain risk factors The UAW-Ford Ergonomic Surveillance Tool (EST) is a method specifically designed for the UAW and Ford Motor Company to assess MSD risk in its facilities. The purpose of this report is to evaluate which risk factors in the UAW-Ford EST predict the risk of developing DUE MSDs. Data collected by a previous study on four UAW-Ford automotive manufacturing plants were analyzed. Target jobs were selected based on associated First Time …

Isokinetic Sampling Efficiency Differences For Blunt Edge Vs Sharp Edge Sampling Probes, Cory A. Treloar

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This project aims to determine if sampling efficiency differences are present between a sharp edge probe and a blunt edge probe during isokinetic sampling. To answer this question, isokinetic sampling was performed inside a wind tunnel. Sampling was performed with the sharp edge probe and compared to data previously obtained using the blunt edge probe. Two different particle sizes were used, 0.50 m and 2.00 m, at air velocities of 0.5 m/s, 1.0 m/s and 2.0 m/s in the wind tunnel. Results showed that there is a difference in sampling efficiency between the two probes and a larger difference in …

The Relationship Between Hand And Wrist Musculoskeletal Disorders And Hand Activity And Posture, Warren M. Henry

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Musculoskeletal disorders are common in many industries such as automotive, manufacturing and line assembly. Risk factors include high frequency or hand repetition, long duration of work activities with short rest periods, unsustainable postures which put strain on the body and muscles, and activities that require significant force to fulfill duties. The current ACGIH TLV for hand activity uses hand activity level (HAL) and normalized peak force (NPF) to assess an individual’s risk of developing an MSD. The purpose of this study is to propose the use of Posture as an alternative to NPF and couple it with HAL to assess …

The Ability Of The U.S. Military’S Wbgt-Based Flag System To Recommend Safe Heat Stress Exposures, David R. Almario

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. military currently uses a flag system based on wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and metabolic rate to recommend heat stress exposure limits. This paper addresses the ability of the flag system to recommend safe heat exposures in a non-military population.

Two progressive heat stress studies provided data on 528 observations of safe or unsafe exposures of 4 hours over a range of WBGT conditions and metabolic rates using 29 participants wearing woven cotton clothing. For the two studies, range of WBGT conditions was 25 to 42C, and the range of metabolic rates was 100 to 650 watts. These exposures …

Validation Of A New Concept For Measuring Respirable Dusts, Xiao Liu

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Sampling of airborne dust in industry is influenced by the potential health effects associated with human exposure. Health effects depend on mass concentration and particle size which influences the site of pulmonary deposition. Occupational diseases tend to be associated with dust deposition in specific regions of the respiratory tract. The ACGIH size selective TLVs are expressed in three forms: Inhalable Particulate Matter, Thoracic Particulate Matter, and Respirable Particulate Matter. In pneuomoconioses, the amount of dust deposited in the lungs can be estimated by sampling the respirable fraction. Dose-response relationships are derived by relating the health experience of workers to the …

Comparison Of Modeled And Measured Pesticide Concentrations In Air, Trenell Davis Boggans

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a popular organophosphorus insecticide that is heavily used in the agriculture industry as a means of pest control. Chlorpyrifos is known for its toxic effect to inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) in humans and is widely used in areas of California where the site of application is close to occupied areas, such that exposures to residents and bystanders can occur due to secondary drift. Secondary drift refers to the volatilization of a pesticide from the surface to which it was applied (e.g. soil or plant foliage) and subsequent off-site movement in ambient air. Secondary drift is different …

Ability Of The Iso Predicted Heat Strain Method To Predict A Limiting Heat Stress Exposure, Edgar Prieto

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Heat stress is one of many physical agents to which thousands of workers are under constant exposure. Oftentimes it is necessary to work above the WBGT-based heat stress exposure limits. It is therefore important to consider alternative measures that include an exposure time limit to manage the heat stress. Predicted Heat Strain (PHS) (ISO7933) is one of those alternatives. PHS uses both personal factors like height and weight and job factors of environment, metabolic rate and clothing. The purpose of this project is to determine whether the PHS is an adequate method to predict short term exposure limits.

The project’s …

Particles In Welding Fumes, Rebecca T. Williams

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not differing base metals and filler wires used during welding processes contributed to differing amounts of ultrafine particles (UFP) and nanoparticles being emitted during the welding procedure. The study was also conducted to determine UFP and nanoparticle exposure in the breathing zones of the welders as well as the breathing zones of pipefitters and fire watchers, who commonly sit 6ft behind the welding arc. In order to determine if UFP and NP exposures differed with base metal and filler wire, all welding processes utilized the same welding machine for metal …

Predicting Hand Surface Area From A Two-Dimensional Hand Tracing, Myles O'Mara

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Recent occupational health studies have focused on dermal exposure at the hands, but have been unable to accurately express dose without knowing the HSA. There is no standard method to calculate HSA, though some researchers have derived HSA formulas based on dimensions from a Taiwanese population. This research paper describes a shortcut method to estimate the hand surface area (HSA) of a human hand from a two-dimensional hand tracing, and repeated a Taiwanese HSA study in order to explore the viability of its HSA formula in an American university population. A sample of nine adult men and nine adult women, …

Analyzing Indoor And Outdoor Heat Index Measurements In Kitchens, Allison Welch

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Occupationally induced heat-related illnesses (HRI) can play a huge part in the lives of employees working within outdoor kitchens. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH] (2016), “exposure to heat can result in injuries, disease, reduced productivity and death”. When working in outdoor environments, it is important to limit exposure time of direct sun or heat as well as to stay properly hydrated. One way to ensure limited occupational heat exposure is by measuring the Heat Index of the worker's environmental conditions.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether there was a difference between …

Ability Of Physiological Strain Index To Discriminate Between Sustainable And Unsustainable Heat Stress, Dwayne Wilson

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Assessment of heat strain is an alternative approach to assessing heat stress exposures. Two common measures of heat strain are body core temperature (T_C) and heart rate (HR). In this study TC was assessed by rectal temperature (T_re). Physiological Strain Index (PSI) was developed to combine both T_re and HR into one metric. Data collected from progressive heat stress trials were used to (1) demonstrate that PSI can distinguish between Sustainable and Unsustainable heat stress; (2) suggest values for PSI that demonstrate a sustainable level of heat stress; and (3) determine if clothing or …

Influence Of Environmental Parameters On Mold Sampling Results, Benjamin Fishman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Mold is a type of fungus present in nearly all environments. Mold thrives under several environmental parameters such as high humidity and an adequate food source. A professional, such as an industrial hygienist, can measure mold in indoor and outdoor environments. Industrial hygienists commonly use a cascade impactor with a culture plate to capture air within a sampling area. While collecting air samples, environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide are recorded. A laboratory then cultures and analyzes the samples, identifying the types and amounts of viable mold found in the sampling area.

In this study, a data …

Effects Of Temperature On The Emission Rate Of Formaldehyde From Medium Density Fiberboard In A Controlled Chamber, William Swankie

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Formaldehyde is a colorless gas that is found naturally in the environment. It is a popular additive in many consumer products including composite wood products. Composite wood products are engineered wood panels produced from pressing pieces, chips, particles, or fibers of wood together at high temperatures held together with a bonding agent. This bonding agent is often formaldehyde-containing resins that are known to release formaldehyde over time. This is concerning because of the carcinogenic classification of formaldehyde, the wide spread application of composite wood products, and the increasing amount of time spent in the indoor environment.

In a controlled 0.53 …

Occupational Noise Exposure Evaluation Of A Group Of Groundskeepers At A University Campus, Monica Elisa Garcia

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Every year, twenty-two million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work. Last year, U.S. businesses paid more than $1.5 million in penalties for not protecting workers from noise. (OSHA, 2016). In the United States ten million people have some kind of noise related hearing loss (CDC, 2016) and noise damage to the ear may not be detected until it is great enough to cause hearing impairment.

Grounds keeper’s functions consist of a variety of activities that require the use of powered tools such as mowers, riding mowers, leaf blowers, pressure washers, trimmers/edgers and chainsaws. OSHA has stated that …