1-Naphthylamine forms white crystals with a characteristic odor that turn red when exposed to air, light and moisture. It is used as an intermediate in the synthesis of dyes, antioxidants, herbicides, drugs and other chemicals. The number of employees exposed to 1-naphthylamine and its salts in Poland has not been studied. The results of acute poisoning by inhalation with 1-naphthylamine by human are blue lips, fingernails and skin, confusion, dizziness, headache, shortness of breath and weakness. Chronic effect on animals of 1-naphthylamine after oral administration leads to liver damage (hepatic cell dystrophy, hepatic steatosis, accumulation of lipofuscin). Chronic inhalation leads to changes in hematological parameters, desquamative interstitial pneumonia, lung disease, and chronic nephritis and bladder inflammation, partly associated with haematuria and albuminuria. The results of the mutagenicity and genotoxicity tests on 1-naphthylamine are inconclusive. In 1987 IARC included 1-naphthylamine in Group 3. Compared to highly N-hydroxylated 2-naphthylamine, 1-naphthylamine is not significantly N-hydroxylated. Therefore, the lack of a carcinogenic effect in experimental animals may be due to the lack of effective metabolic activation. The value of the hygiene standard was derived based on the NOEL value of 15 mg/kg bw/day, obtained from studies on dogs exposed by the oral route for 9 or 10 years. In these experiments, administration of pure 1-naphthylamine, without isomer 2 contamination, did not increase the incidence of bladder cancer in dogs. The maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) value was proposed for 1-naphthylamine and its salt of 3.5 mg/m3. This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.

Chromium (VI) compounds are solids with a crystalline structure of varying solubility in water. Chromium (VI) compounds are used in the treatment of metal surfaces to protect against corrosion or for decorative purposes (chrome plating, anodizing), as an additive to chrome stainless steel, in chemical synthesis as a strong oxidizing agent and as a catalyst, for the production of certain pigments, inhibitors corrosion, wood preservatives. They are also formed during welding and plasma cutting. Workers can be exposed to Cr(VI) compounds in the working environment by inhalation, oral and dermal route. In industrialized areas, non-occupational exposure, e.g., through drinking water, contact with soil or other media contaminated with these compounds is possible. In Poland, in 2005-2018, based on information sent to the Central Registry conducted by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Łódź, the most common was potassium dichromate (VI) (it was reported by over 500 workplaces, and the number of exposed people exceeded 5,000). Over one thousand exposed persons have been reported for chromium (VI) oxide, potassium chromate (VI) and other chromium (VI) compounds. The vast majority of workplaces with chromium (VI) compounds reported to the register were laboratory stands (75%), over 10% of workplaces related to electroplating or surface etching, and about 4% were welders. In 2018, the regulation of ministry introduced a TLV (MAC) value of 0.01 mg/m3 for all chromium(VI) compounds. In 2019, according to Sanitary Inspection data, 640 workers were exposed to concentrations > 0.1 MAC ÷ 0.5 MAC, > 0.5 MAC ÷ MAC – 146 workers, and above the MAC value – 48 workers. Chronic occupational exposure to chromium (VI) compounds may cause effects related to the corrosive and irritating action of these substances (skin lesions, respiratory symptoms, renal dysfunction) and the occurrence of lung cancer and paranasal sinuses. The latency period for lung cancer in workers who are occupationally exposed to Cr(VI) compounds is approximately 20 years. In humans, evidence of the effects of chromium (VI) compounds on reproduction is inconclusive, although there are studies showing a risk of reduced semen quality, which has been reported in the group of welders. Lung carcinogenicity was assumed as a critical effect of Cr(VI) compounds when establishing the MAC value. For chromium (VI) compounds, the MAC value was assumed at the level of 0.005 mg Cr(VI)/m3 without establishing the short-term (STEL, NDSCh) value. The proposed MACV value of 0.005 mg Cr(VI)/m3 will also protect employees against the irritating effects of chromium(VI) compounds present in workplace air. The following labeling of chromium (VI) compounds has been adopted: Carc.*, Muta.*, Ft (Repr.)*, C (rr)*, I* and A*, the category of which should be determined in accordance with table 3 of Annex VI to the Regulation of the European Parliament and EC Council No. 1272/2008 of December 16, 2008 (OJEU L 353, 1-1355 as amended).

4-chloro-o-toluidine (4-CTA) at room temperature is a gray to white solid flakes with a weak fishy odor. It is soluble with water or ethanol, slightly soluble in carbon tetrachloride. Currently, it is used as a stain in immunochemistry and molecular biology or as a standard in colorimetric method for medicines identity. 4-CTA can cause many adverse effects like skin or eye irritation, methemoglobinemia and hematuria. 4-CTA indicates mutagenic and genotoxic effects and is suspected to be carcinogenic to humans (bladder cancer). The aim of this study was to develop and validate a method for determining 4-CTA in workplace air. The developed method for determining 4-CTA is based on the collection of 4-CTA on glass fiber filters impregnated with hydrochloric acid connected to sorbent tube filed with two sections of silica gel coated with hydrochloric acid. Filters and sorbent are extracted with methanol and resulted solution is analysed with high performance liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric detection. The study was performed using a liquid chromatograph equipped with Supelco Discovery C-18 column. The developed method is linear in the concentration range of 0.2-4.0 μg/ml, which is equivalent to the range of 0.002-0.04 mg/m3 for 200-L air sample. The analytical method described in this paper makes it possible to determine 4-CTA in workplace air in the presence of other substances. The method is precise, accurate and it meets the criteria for procedures for determining chemical agents listed in Standard No. PN-EN 482. The developed method of determining 4-CTA in workplace air has been recorded as an analytical procedure (see Appendix). This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.

Hydrogen peroxide at room temperature is a colourless clear liquid with weak ozone like odour. It is used as a bleach in paper, food and cosmetics industry and in rocket fuel production. It is also used in waste water and waste gas treatment and as a disinfectant in wounds treatment. In analytical chemistry, hydrogen peroxide is used to determine trace amounts of metals. Hydrogen peroxide may cause irritation of eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. The goal of this research was to develop and validate a method for determining hydrogen peroxide in workplace air. Developed method is based on the collection of hydrogen peroxide with water filled bubbler and spectrophotometric determination of xylenol orange and ferrum (III) ions complex. Developed method is linear in the concentration range of 0.2-4.0 μg/ml, which corresponds to the range of 0.04-0.8 mg/m3 for 10-L air sample. The analytical method described in this paper makes it possible to determine hydrogen peroxide in workplace air in the presence of other substances. The method is precise, accurate and it meets the criteria for procedures for determining chemical agents listed in Standard No. PN-EN 482. The developed method of determining hydrogen peroxide in workplace air has been recorded as an analytical procedure (see Appendix). This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.

Triethylamine (TEA) is a tertiary aliphatic amine. At room temperature it is a colourless liquid with a strong ammonia odor. TEA is used as a substrat in production of quaternary ammonium compound, as a catalyst in polymerization process, as a solvent in organic synthesis and as an emulsifier in the production of dyes and pesticides. Occupational exposure to TEA can cause many adverse effects like skin, respiratory tract or eye irritation. TEA may cause also vision disorder like blurred vision or red-blue vision. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a method for determining TEA in workplace air. The developed method is based on the collection of TEA on sorbent tube filed with two sections of silica gel coated with hydrochloric acid. Silica gel is extracted with methanol:water mixture and resulted solution is analysed with capillary gas chromatography with flame-ionization detector. The study was performed using gas chromatograph equipped with DB-5ms column. The developed method is linear in the concentration range of 7.5–150 μg/ml, which is equivalent to the range of 0.03–6 mg/m3 for 100-L air sample. The analytical method described in this paper makes it possible to determine TEA in workplace air in the presence of other substances. The method is precise, accurate and it meets the criteria for procedures for determining chemical agents listed in Standard No. PN-EN 482. The developed method for determining TEA in workplace air has been recorded as an analytical procedure (see Appendix). This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.

The article presents results of research on recognition of a size of crystalline silica exposure present in respirable fraction in the workplace air at high-temperature foundry processes. The study included 10 workplaces in two factories. Air samples collected with cyclones allowing the separation of respirable air. The crystalline silica was measured in air with Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR). High concentrations of respirable fraction of silica, exceeding the value of the hygienic standard (NDS) of 0.1 mg/m3 in Poland, were found at the studied workplaces. The largest concentration of respirable crystalline silica (0.25 mg/m3) was found in the processes of sand preparation of transformer masses and processes of preparing forms on a position of aformer machine – 0.15 mg/m3 and on position of a sliding and pourer forms, at astand of machine moulder, at a stand of ladle maker during preparation and operation of ladles – 0.13 mg/m3. The amount of respirable aerosol coagulation crystalline silica in high-temperature processes depends on a type of process and is especially present in stages involving unbound silica sand. It also differs in workflow steps and intensity performed on particular workplaces, where large amount of respirable aerosol is produced. Majority of examined workplaces are exposed to high risk of occurring crystalline silica in the respirable fraction. Research results indicate the need of implementing remedial measures to eliminate the hazard. This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.