Research Initiatives in Exposure Assessment

暴露評估之研究領域

10.7005/JOSH.200903.0001

馬丁哈伯(Martin Harper)

暴露評估 ； 空氣採樣 ； 直讀式儀器 ； 閾值 ； Exposure assessment ； Air sampling ； Direct-reading instruments ； Threshold limit values ； Control banding

勞工安全衛生研究季刊

17卷1期（2009 / 03 / 01）

1 - 17

英文

暴露評估常被使用於診斷問題和確認解決之道，為職業暴露控制策略重要的一環。目前暴露評估研究的三個尖端研究領域分別是：1.直讀式接近即時監控監測器；2.更高敏感度之採樣與分析方法；3.無須量測之暴露評估模式。隨著輕量電池、小型化偵測器與電腦晶片技術的發展，直讀式即時監測器的時代已來臨。直讀式即時監測器使用上所呈現的挑戰在於勞工和職業衛生師都可使用資訊量的增加。因應標準採樣與分析方法的改變，一直以來暴露規範都在逐漸地降低，以做更有效的量測。必須要發展採樣與分析點的方式來符合這些挑戰。例如木材灰、可呼吸性二氧化矽和鈹為最近被提出具較低閾值的例子。石綿為另一個因分析能力的限制而無法降低閾限值的例子。在許多財務較困難的國家，精密的分析方法可能太過昂貴而超出專業人員所能負擔。於充分測量驗證下，不需量測數據的評估模式將越來越普遍。

Exposure assessment is an important component of the occupational exposure control strategy, in particular because it is used both to examine problems and confirm solutions. Three initiatives are discussed that are on the cutting-edge of current exposure assessment research: 1) direct-reading, nearreal time monitors, 2) sampling and analytical methods of greater sensitivity and 3) models to assess exposure without measurement. Direct-reading, near-real time monitors are coming of age with the development of light-weight batteries, miniaturized detectors and computer chip technologies. They present challenges in use in that the amount of information increases and it is available to the worker as well as hygienist. This challenge is explored in relation to the development of coal-mine dust and diesel exhaust monitors. Exposure guidelines are continually set lower with consequent impact on the ability of standard sampling and analytical methods to make useful measurements. It is now usually necessary to develop both the sampling and analytical portions of the method to meet this challenge. Examples where lower limit values have recently been proposed include wood dust, respirable silica, and beryllium. Asbestos is an example of where a limit value has been frozen at the limits of method capability. Sophisticated analytical methods may be expensive and beyond the reach of many professionals in poorer countries. Models that assess exposures without measurements are becoming popular, but must be validated through testing in well-measured environments.