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Occupational Exposure to Dust Produced when Milling Thermally Modified Wood

Author

Listed:
  • Alena Očkajová

    (Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, Banská Bystrica 97401, Slovakia)

  • Martin Kučerka

    (Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, Banská Bystrica 97401, Slovakia)

  • Richard Kminiak

    (Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen 96001, Slovakia)

  • Ľuboš Krišťák

    (Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen 96001, Slovakia)

  • Rastislav Igaz

    (Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen 96001, Slovakia)

  • Roman Réh

    (Faculty of Wood Sciences and Technology, Technical University in Zvolen, Zvolen 96001, Slovakia)

Abstract

During production, thermally modified wood is processed using the same machining operations as unmodified wood. Machining wood is always accompanied with the creation of dust particles. The smaller they become, the more hazardous they are. Employees are exposed to a greater health hazard when machining thermally modified wood because a considerable amount of fine dust is produced under the same processing conditions than in the case of unmodified wood. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) states that wood dust causes cancer of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses and of the nasopharynx. Wood dust is also associated with toxic effects, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, dermatitis, and respiratory system effects which include decreased lung capacity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and allergic reactions. In our research, granular composition of particles resulting from the process of longitudinal milling of heat-treated oak and spruce wood under variable conditions (i.e., the temperature of modification of 160, 180, 200 and 220 °C and feed rate of 6, 10 and 15 m.min −1 ) are presented in the paper. Sieve analysis was used to determine the granular composition of particles. An increase in fine particle fraction when the temperature of modification rises was confirmed by the research. This can be due to the lower strength of thermally modified wood. Moreover, a different effect of the temperature modification on granularity due to the tree species was observed. In the case of oak wood, changes occurred at a temperature of 160 °C and in the case of spruce wood, changes occurred at the temperatures of 200 and 220 °C. At the temperatures of modification of 200 and 220 °C, the dust fraction (i.e., that occurred in the mesh sieves, particles with the size ≤ 0.08 mm) ranged from 2.99% (oak wood, feed rate of 10 m.min −1 ) to 8.07% (spruce wood, feed rate of 6 m.min −1 ). Such particles might have a harmful effect on employee health in wood-processing facilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Alena Očkajová & Martin Kučerka & Richard Kminiak & Ľuboš Krišťák & Rastislav Igaz & Roman Réh, 2020. "Occupational Exposure to Dust Produced when Milling Thermally Modified Wood," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-14, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:5:p:1478-:d:324851
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Richard Kminiak & Ladislav Dzurenda, 2019. "Impact of Sycamore Maple Thermal Treatment on a Granulometric Composition of Chips Obtained due to Processing on a CNC Machining Mentre," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-10, January.
    2. Akeza Awealom Asgedom & Magne Bråtveit & Bente Elisabeth Moen, 2019. "High Prevalence of Respiratory Symptoms among Particleboard Workers in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-10, June.
    3. Marek Potkány & Miloš Gejdoš & Marek Debnár, 2018. "Sustainable Innovation Approach for Wood Quality Evaluation in Green Business," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-14, August.
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    Cited by:

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