This paper presents the mechanisms of nanoparticles retention on nonwoven filter media during depth aerosol filtration and the influence of parameters such as particle size, linear velocity and gas temperature, fibre diameter and packing density and surface charge of particles and fibres on retention efficiency of particles according to the classic filtration theory. Based on a review of literature sources, a comparison of filtration efficiency results obtained on the basis of classic filtration theory and experimental results is presented.

Cisplatin is a cytostatic used in the treatment of testicular, ovarian, cervix and bladder cancers, squamous cell carcinoma of a head and a neck, small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. For medical staff, it is available in ampoules of 10 or 50 mg with a concentrate for solution for infusion (1 mg cisplatin/ml).

Occupational exposure to cisplatin may occur during production and drug use in hospital wards. Exposure during production is a minor problem because it concerns a relatively narrow group of employees of pharmaceutical companies, that are subjected to requirements of good manufacturing practice and restrictive exposure control. A much larger group of workers exposed to cisplatin are health professionals (nurses, doctors, pharmacists, cleaning service, laundry workers) who care for and have contact with treated patients. The source of exposure for medical and auxiliary personnel may be preparation and administration of drug and excretions and secretions of patients. The main routes of occupational exposure during cisplatin production processes are respiratory and skin.

In hospitals, skin is the main route of exposure, although inhalation exposure cannot be excluded, mainly on cisplatin aerosols. The highest concentrations of cisplatin in the occupational environment air were < 5.3 ng/m³, while on different surfaces of pharmacy and hospital rooms, surgical equipment and gloves, concentrations did not exceed 110 ng/cm². There are no quantitative data on the absorption of cisplatin through the skin or through the respiratory tract in humans, but it is known that the compound can absorb these routes, as demonstrated by studies conducted among pharmacists and medical personnel with significantly higher concentrations of platinum (Pt) in urine compared to the control group.

There is little information on the health effects of occupational exposure to cisplatin. Only cases of occupational allergy manifesting by urticaria have been described. The data available in the literature refer mainly to adverse reactions in patients treated with cisplatin. The most commonly reported adverse effects of cisplatin are renal, haematological, hearing, gastrointestinal and neuropathic disorders.

In about one third of patients, after the administration of a single dose of cisplatin (50 mg/m²), the toxic effects of the compound were observed on kidneys, bone marrow and hearing. The nephrotoxic, ototoxic and neurotoxic effects of cisplatin can be long-term and permanent.

In animal toxicity studies with cisplatin, the compound was administered intraperitoneally or intravenously. Cisplatin affects mainly kidneys of animals, causing biochemical changes (including an increase creatinine and urea nitrogen levels in serum), and histopathological abnormalities, necrosis in the proximal renal tubules. Moreover, there were changes in liver enzymes activities, numerous inflammation and liver necrosis, and disorders in secretory cell distribution, intestinal barrier enzymes activities, and histopathological changes in the small intestine, which disturbed digestive processes and led to appetite disturbances in animals. Cisplatin is also ototoxic, leading to hearing loss in rodents. Changes in the blood parameters and disorders in the hematopoietic system have also been observed. Leukopenia, decreased number of neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelets, and bone marrow suppression occurred in exposed animals. In neurobehavioral tests in animals, cisplatin caused a decrease in physical activity.

Cisplatin was mutagenic in tests on bacteria and on mammalian cells, including human lymphocytes. It evoked an increase in the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges and chromosomal aberrations. There were positive comet and micronucleus test results. One of the reported side effects of cisplatin therapy is its carcinogenic effect. The literature describes cases of acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia in patients treated with cisplatin only and carboplatin 6 years after chemotherapy. In the available literature, there are no data on the incidence of cancer of workers professionally exposed only to cisplatin. The existing reports concern simultaneous exposure to various cytostatics. Cisplatin has been shown to be carcinogenic to mice and rats after intraperitoneal administration. In mice exposed to cisplatin an increased number and incidence of lung adenomas were observed. After exposure of animals to cisplatin intraperitoneally, and additionally to epidermal croton oil, skin papillomas were noticed. In the exposed rats, cisplatin induced leukemia.

The cisplatin was classified by IARC experts as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). In DECOS, it was considered as genotoxic carcinogen, NTP also classifies it as a potentially carcinogenic substance for humans. Although cisplatin has not been officially classified in the EU and there is lack of its harmonized classification, most manufacturers classify this compound as a carcinogen 1B category.

There is no data available in the literature on clinical cases and results of epidemiological studies on the effect of cisplatin on the fetus and reproduction due to occupational exposure to this compound. Based on the described cases of pregnant patients treated with cisplatin, this compound is known to cross the placenta and into breast milk. Serious malformations were observed in 20% of children of patients treated with cisplatin in the first trimester of pregnancy and 1% of children in patients treated in the second and/or third trimester of pregnancy. In men, chronic administration of cisplatin induced reversible azoospermia and Leydig cell dysfunction. Of the 61 women with ovarian cancer undergoing conservative surgery and cisplatin chemotherapy at reproductive age, 47% gave birth to children after treatment, and 87% of those trying to get pregnant, became pregnant. In laboratory animal studies, cisplatin was highly embryotoxic. Teratogenic changes were less frequently observed. Cisplatin also affected ovarian activity.

Based on the cisplatin toxicity data available in humans and animals, it is not possible to determine the dose-response relationship. The analysis of the classification of drugs used by ASHP, NIOSH, IACP and IPCS shows that the cisplatin should have a permissible occupational exposure value within 0.001–0.01 mg/m³. Considering the quantitative carcinogenicity assessment of cisplatin performed by DECOS experts and the acceptable level of occupational risk set by the Interdepartmental Commission on MAC (10^-3–10^-4) for carcinogens, acceptable concentrations of cisplatin in the work environment should be within 0.005 mg/m³–0.0005 mg/m³. In most countries (in the USA, Belgium, Switzerland and Hungary), the occupational exposure limits for this compound were set at 0.002 mg/m³. The maximum admissible concentration (MAC) value for cisplatin was proposed at 0.002 mg/m³. It was proposed to label the substance as “Carc. 1B” – carcinogenic substance of category 1B, “Ft” –  toxic to the fetus and “skin”, because absorption through the skin may be as important as inhalation. There are no substantive basis to establish the value of the short--term (STEL) and permissible concentrations in biological material (DSB) for cisplatin.

Quinoline is a colorless hygroscopic liquid with a pungent odor. It darkens with age. It is soluble in alcohol, ether, benzene and carbon disulfide, and is slightly soluble in water. It is used as a solvent and a decarboxylation reagent, and as a raw material in manufacturing dyes, antiseptics, fungicides, niacins and pharmaceuticals.

The occupational exposure to quinoline applies to a person involved in the production of the substance or using products manufactured from this substance.

The primary routes of potential human exposure to quinoline are ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. The most common symptoms of poisoning include eye and skin irritation, damage to the cornea, the retina or optic nerve, headaches and dizziness.

Quinoline produced mutations in bacteria in the presence of metabolic activation, unscheduled DNA synthesis in rat hepatocytes, and DNA adducts.

Studies of carcinogenicity in animals indicated that administration of quinoline (in feed) increased significantly the incidence of vascular tumors (hemangiomas or hemangiosarcomas) of the liver.

Quinoline is classifield as mutagenic category 2 (substance, which is consider as mutagenic to humans) and to category 1B of carcinogenic substances (potent carcinogen to humans – may cause cancer).

According to the above data, the MAC value for quinoline was established at 0.6 mg/m³. MAC- -STEL value was not established. The substance was labeled with “sk” (absorption through the skin can be similarly important as inhalation) and “I” – irritant substance.

1,3-Butadiene is a colorless gas with a mild, aromatic odor. It is produced worldwide on a large industrial scale.

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a method for determining concentrations of 1,3-butadiene in workplace air.

The determination method is based on the adsorption of 1,3-butadiene on activated charcoal (200/50 mg sections), desorption with carbon disulfide and the analysis of the resulting solution with gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID). A capillary column Rtx-5ms (60 m × 0.32 mm, i.d. × 0.25 μm film thickness) was used.

The method is linear within the working range from 0.98 µg/ml to 19.6 µg/ml, which is equivalent to air concentrations from 0.22 to 4.36 mg/m³ for a 4.5-L air sample.

The analytical method described in this paper enables selective determination of analytes in workplace air in presence of coexisting substances. The method is precise, accurate and it meets the criteria for procedures for measuring chemical agents listed in Standard No. EN 482. The method can be used for assessing occupational exposure to 1,3-butadiene and associated risk to workers’ health.

The developed method of determining 1,3-butadiene has been recorded as an analytical procedure (see appendix).

Nitrobenzene is a pale yellow oil with an almond-like odor. On an industrial scale it is obtained by nitration of benzene with a mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid, water and nitric acid. The compound is used in the production of aniline. Nitrobenzene is possibly carcinogenic to humans.

The aim of this study was to develop a method for determining concentrations of nitrobenzene in workplace air in the range from 1/10 to 2 of MAC values.

The developed method is based on the adsorption of nitrobenzene on a silica gel, extraction with methanol and chromatographic analysis of the resulting solution. The tests were performed using a liquid chromatograph (HPLC) 1200 series of Agilent Technologies with a diode array detector (DAD). Determinations were performed using an Ultra C18 column (25 cm × 4.6 mm, dp = 5 µm). The procedure was validated according to Standard No. EN 482. On the basis of obtained results, the concentration range was established as

1.8–36 µg/ml, which corresponds to 0.1–2 mg/m³ for 18-L air sample. In the following range, the obtained calibration curve was linear, as evidenced by the regression coefficient at the level of 1. The overall accuracy of the method was 5.38% and its relative total uncertainty was 23.42%.

This method enables selective determination of nitrobenzene in workplace air at concentrations of 0.1–2 mg/m³ in the presence of other compounds, such as methanol, benzene and aniline. The method for determining nitrobenzene is presented in the form of analytical procedure in the Annex.

o-Toluidine (2-TA) exists at ambient temperature as a light yellow liquid which rapidly darkens when exposed to air and light. It is used primarily in manufacturing dyestuffs, it is also used in the production of pesticides, rubber and in organic synthesis. 2-TA may cause cancer.

The aim of this study was to determine concentrations of 2-TA in workplace air in the range from 1/10 to 2 MAC values.

The study was performed using a liquid chromatograph (HPLC) with a diode array detector (DAD) with a column Ultra C18 (250 × 4.6 mm; 5 µm).

This method is based on the adsorption of 2-TA on a glass fiber filter coated with sulfuric acid and extraction with sodium hydroxide solution. After derivatization with 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl chloride, 2-TA is analyzed as derivative with chromatography.  The method was validated in accordance with Standard No. EN 482. The working range was from 0.05 to 1 mg/m³ for a 36‑L air sample. The following validation parameters were determined: detection limit 3.48 ng/ml, determination limit 10.43 ng/ml, overall accuracy of the method 5.22%, relative total uncertainty of the method 11.45%.

The analytical method described in this paper enables selective determination of 2-TA in workplace air in the presence of other substances at concentrations from 0.05 mg/m³ (1/10 MAC value). The method is precise, accurate and it meets the criteria for the procedures for measuring chemical agents listed in Standard No. EN 482.

The developed method of determining 2-TA has been recorded as an analytical procedure (see Appendix).

In 2017, the Commission met at three sessions, in which 16 documentations for recommended exposure limits of chemical substances were discussed. Moreover, the Commission discussed:

−   the positions of the Interdepartmental Commission for MAC and MAI regarding: smog, limit value of nitric oxide in the underground mining and tunnels sector and binding value for 1,2-dichloroethane

−   introduction of the "skin" notation (substances absorption through the skin may be important as in the case of inhalation) for chemical substances included in the regulation of the Minister of Labour and Social Policy of 6 June 2014.

The Commission suggested to the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy the following changes in the list of MAC values:

−  adding five new chemical substances to the list of MAC values: qinoline (CAS: 91-22-5, Carc. 1B, skin), cisplatin (CAS: 15663-27-1, Carc. 1B, skin), N-hydroxyurea (CAS: 127-07-1, Carc. 1B), potassium bromate (CAS: 7758-01-2, Carc. 1B, skin) oraz 3,3’-dimethylbenzidene (CAS: 119-903-7) and salts: 3,3’‑dimethylbenzidene dihydrochloride (CAS: 612-82-2, Carc. 1B)

− changing MAC values for 10 chemicals: bis-phenol A (CAS: 80-05-7), acrylic acid (CAS: 79-10-7, skin), nitrogen oxide (CAS: 10102-43-9 ), dichloromethane (CAS: 75-09-2, skin), 1,1-dichloroethylene (CAS: 75-35-4), hydrogenated terphenyls (CAS: 61788-32-7), 2-nitropropane (CAS: 79-46-9, skin), 1,2-epoxypropane (CAS: 75-56-9), 1,2-dichloroethane (CAS: 107-06-2, skin), phenylhydrazine (CAS: 100-63-0, skin) as phenylhydrazine) and its salts: phenylhydrazine hydrochloride (CAS: 59-88-1; 27140-08-5, skin), phenylhydrazine sulphate (CAS: 52033-74-6, skin)

− adding to Annex 1 the "skin" notation (substances absorption through the skin may be important as in the case of inhalation) for chemical substances included in the regulation of the Minister of Labour and Social Policy (Journal of Laws of 2014, item 817 with amended).

The Interdepartmental Commission for MAC and MAI adopted the MAC value for inhalable fraction of urea at the level of 10 mg/m³ as the value recommended for manufacturers and plants. The documentation of the proposed occupational exposure limit values for urea with the recommended value of 10 mg/m³ and with the method of determining it concentrations in the working environment will be published in "Principles and Methods of Assessing the Working Environment".

Four issues of the "Principles and Methods of Assessing the Working Environment " were published in 2017. The following were published: 12 documentation of occupational exposure limit, 12 methods of determining chemical concentrations in the working environment, two articles, a procedure for measuring electromagnetic field, a report on the activities of the Interdepartmental Commission for MACs and MAIs in 2017 and indexes of documentations, methods and articles published between 2000–2017.

Three sessions of the Commission are planned for 2018. MAC values for 15 chemicals substances will be discussed at those meetings. The Commission and the Group of Experts will continue working on adapting the Polish list of maximum admissible concentrations to proposals for binding values for carcinogenic or mutagenic substances, proposed concentration limit values developed by the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and on work being done at SCOEL.