A Worker Operating A Fluorescent Bulb Recycling Machine
Although fluorescent light bulbs are deemed to be environmentally friendly, they contain some toxic ingredients which end up in landfills where these chemicals can easily leach into water and soil and cause damage to fish as well as other wildlife. The compound that such a worker will be exposed to will be mercury ( Rizzetti et al., 2016) . The amount of mercury contained is less than what is produced during the generation of extra electricity needed to light an incandescent bulb.
There are numerous organs that mercury can accumulate on, and they include liver, brain, intestine as well as the placenta. Mercury poisoning is a disease or a type of poisoning that results from mercury. Its symptoms depend on the dose, type, method as well as the duration of exposure, some of the symptoms include: poor coordination, muscle weakness, skin rashes, memory problems, anxiety as well as trouble seeing. Some of the sampling methods used by OSHA PEL and ACHEIH TLVS will include air samples, wipe samples, and bulk samples. Some of the recommendations of how to prevent and avoid mercury exposure are by wearing safety glasses, gloves and lab coats at all times ( Rizzetti et al., 2016) . An organization should have a safety kit at all times in case of an emergency to ensure that victims are taken care of before seeking medical attention. Besides, employees should be trained on the dangers of exposure to mercury and ways through which they can mitigate in the event there is direct exposure to it. All the OSHA rules and regulations should be observed to ensure the safety of employees.
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A Worker Is An Embalming Technician At A Funeral Home
The chemical that such a worker is exposed to be called Formaldehyde, which is colourless, has a suffocating odour and is extremely flammable. The worker will get exposed by inhalation, but it can also be absorbed through the skin. This chemical is dangerous if it is in the air at a level of 0.1ppm and above since it can result in severe coughing, skin irritation as well as burning sensation around the eyes and the nose ( Fenech & Knasmueller,2016). However, people usually are not aware of its long term effects. Acute or chronic exposure to it can lead to cancer. Some of the organs that are affected by the chemical are spleen, brain, kidney, liver and pancreas. The sampling approved or used by OSHA PEL and ACHEIH TLVS is air sampling. These samples are divided into various sections for analysis through the right test methods. The resting was accredited for the analysis of industrial and environmental hygiene samples. The air sampling, as well as employee exposure monitoring, was in accordance with OSHA PEL ( Fenech & Knasmueller,2016) . After sampling, some of the recommendations made was that the concentration of the sample should not exceed that recommended by ACGHIH TLVs. All hygiene and industrial professionals should abide by those standards. The most appropriate sampling methods for this compound should be personal sampling to check whether it exceeded the recommended and required concentration.
Some of the ways to control exposure include:Establishing a no smoking policy in the morgue as well as having proper ventilation since this will minimize the indoor formaldehyde levels by allowing in some fresh air. Besides, the use of a dehumidifier is highly recommended as it reduces the levels of formaldehyde.
References
Fenech, M., Nersesyan, A., & Knasmueller, S. (2016). A systematic review of the association between occupational exposure to formaldehyde and effects on chromosomal DNA damage measured using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay in lymphocytes. Mutation Research/Reviews in Mutation Research , 770 , 46-57.
Rizzetti, D. A., Altermann, C. D. C., Martinez, C. S., Peçanha, F. M., Vassallo, D. V., Uranga-Ocio, J. A., ... & Mello-Carpes, P. B. (2016). Ameliorative effects of egg white hydrolysate on recognition memory impairments associated with chronic exposure to low mercury concentration. Neurochemistry international , 101 , 30-37.
