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International journal of environmental research and public health2019; 16(17); 3226; doi: 10.3390/ijerph16173226

Occupational Exposures in an Equestrian Centre to Respirable Dust and Respirable Crystalline Silica.

Abstract: Sand-based products are regularly used as footing material on indoor equestrian arenas, creating a potential occupational exposure risk for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) for equestrian workers training and exercising horses in these environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate an equestrian worker's personal RCS and respirable dust (RD) exposure. Sixteen personal full-shift RD measurements were collected from an equestrian worker and analysed for RD, quartz and cristobalite. Geometric mean exposures of 0.12 mg m and 0.02 mg m were calculated for RD and RCS concentrations, respectively. RCS exposures of between 0.01 to 0.09 mg m were measured on days when the indoor arena surface was not watered, compared to lower exposures (<LOD-0.03 mg m) on days when the indoor arena was watered ( < 0.01); however, manual watering is time intensive and less likely to be implemented in practice. This small-scale study provides new data on RCS and RD exposures among equestrian workers. RCS exposures are within the range considered to be associated with increased risk for lung cancer. The use of dust control solutions such as water suppression should be promoted for equestrian work in horse riding arenas. Equestrian workers need to receive occupational health training on the health risks associated with RCS exposure.
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Publication Date: 2019-09-03 PubMed ID: 31484444PubMed Central: PMC6747462DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16173226Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study investigates the potential risk to equestrian workers due to exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and respirable dust (RD) in indoor horse riding arenas that use sand-based footing materials. The research suggests that exposure to RCS may be associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, and emphasizes the importance of occupational health training for equestrian workers.

Study Objective and Methodology

  • The primary aim of the study was to assess personal exposure to RCS and RD among workers in an indoor equestrian center.
  • Over several work shifts, sixteen personal RD measurements were collected from an equestrian worker. These samples were then analyzed to determine levels of RD, quartz, and cristobalite – types of RCS.
  • The study compared exposure levels on the days when the indoor arena was watered down, against those on the days it wasn’t.

Findings

  • Geometric mean exposures of 0.12 mg/m³ for RD and 0.02 mg/m³ for RCS were found in the collected data.
  • RCS exposures ranged between 0.01 to 0.09 mg/m³ on days when the indoor arena surface was left dry, while lower exposures were recorded on the days when the surface was watered.
  • Nonetheless, manual watering is labor-intensive and not commonly practiced in equestrian centers.

Implications

  • The study provides new insights into RCS and RD exposures among equestrian workers. The observed RCS exposures are within the range that could increase the risk of lung cancer.
  • The research underscores the importance of using dust control solutions, such as watering the arena, in reducing RCS exposure.
  • Given the potential risks, there is a need for occupational health training for equestrian workers to better understand and manage the health complications associated with RCS exposure.

Cite This Article

APA
Bulfin K, Cowie H, Galea KS, Connolly A, Coggins MA. (2019). Occupational Exposures in an Equestrian Centre to Respirable Dust and Respirable Crystalline Silica. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 16(17), 3226. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16173226

Publication

International journal of environmental research and public health
ISSN: 1660-4601
NlmUniqueID: 101238455
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 17
PII: 3226

Researcher Affiliations

Bulfin, Kathleen
  • Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, School of Physics and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, H91 CF50 Galway, Ireland. kathleen.bulfin@gmail.com.
Cowie, Hilary
  • Centre for Human Exposure Science, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK. hilary.cowie@iom-world.org.
Galea, Karen S
  • Centre for Human Exposure Science, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK. karen.Galea@iom-world.org.
Connolly, Alison
  • Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, School of Physics and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, H91 CF50 Galway, Ireland. alison.connolly@nuigalway.ie.
Coggins, Marie Ann
  • Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, School of Physics and Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, H91 CF50 Galway, Ireland. marie.coggins@nuigalway.ie.

MeSH Terms

  • Air Pollutants, Occupational / analysis
  • Animals
  • Dust / analysis
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Inhalation Exposure / analysis
  • Inhalation Exposure / prevention & control
  • Occupational Exposure / analysis
  • Occupational Exposure / prevention & control
  • Occupational Health
  • Silicon Dioxide / analysis

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Tumlin K, Liu S, Park JH. Framing Future of Work Considerations through Climate and Built Environment Assessment of Volunteer Work Practices in the United States Equine Assisted Services. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 Oct 2;18(19).
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    doi: 10.1007/s41030-020-00143-4pubmed: 33385174google scholar: lookup
  3. Scancarello G, Banchi B, Bruno G, Dugheri S, Mucci N, Arcangeli G, Capacci F, Marinaccio A, Aprea MC. Creation of a database of occupational and environmental concentrations of crystalline silica dust for the purpose of assessing past and current exposures. Med Lav 2020 Apr 30;111(2):133-150.
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