Assignment 2. Industry Sampling Plan, 2 page maximum length.
This assignment is based on the IRSST report for Province of Quebec, Occupational Health and Safety Commission 2001. The report is located on the Moodle site directly below this file.
There are numerous interesting features in this excellent report. You should first make yourself familiar with the report before beginning the assignment. Open it and look it over now.
Introduction to the assignment
Microorganisms are ubiquitous in the environment but their concentrations vary in relation to several parameters including the type of substrate and the environmental conditions. Therefore, some workplaces such as breeding farms, barns, waste and wastewater treatment plants, and food and beverage plants and warehouses promote the presence of bacteria and their growth, particularly Gram negative bacteria with which endotoxins are associated. These environments are also conducive to the development of molds. Tables 3 and 4 (page 18-19) give examples of concentrations of viable bioaerosols and of endotoxins measured in different workplaces. This assignment deals with industrial type workplaces as opposed to workplaces such as offices, schools, universities, etc.
In some industrial environments, the presence of microorganisms is not only due to the fact that the conditions are conducive to the growth of the microflora normally present in any environment, but also directly associated with the manufacturing or conversion process. The basic materials, products, by-products and activities that are carried out in some plants promote not only the proliferation of microorganisms but also their dispersion and propagation.
Assignment details
Look at:
Table 1. Main bioaerosols potentially present in air. Page 10.
Review Question: What group did they put Mycobacterium in? What serious disease does one Mycobacterium species cause?
Fig. 1. Bacteria present in 63 work environments. Page 14.
Review Question: What were the four most common bacterial groups found in work environments based on the research done in this report?
Fig. 2 Mold in 126 work environments. Page 14.
Review Question: What were the four most common molds found in work environments based on the research done in this report?
How do these compare with the top four fungi (molds) discovered by culture methods in the US EPA BASE study you looked at earlier in this course? are they similar, different, etc.?
Read these sections:
2.24 Sampling plan. Page 40-41.
Review Question: To estimate worst-case inhalation exposures how many samples does the report recommend you do? ________________________
2.25 Interpretation and communication of results. Page 41-42.
Review Question: Is it essential that workers be informed about the objective of the study, the results, their interpretation and the resulting conclusions and recommendations. Yes or No.
2.26. Examples. Read all three examples. This assignment deals specifically with Example 1: Industries where the presence of bioaerosols is probable (examples: water treatment plants, waste treatment plants, farms, pig-housing facilities) Page 43.
Go to Tables 3 and 4 (page 18-19) and select an industry to write your maximum two page assignment on. You can choose any industry/workplace you wish but if you are familiar with any, perhaps you have worked in one yourself, than that would be an excellent choice. You are then to research bioaerosol (biocontaminant) issues related to the industry you have chosen and prepare a sampling plan like the one shown in Example 1 (Page 43). Sample 1 is generic, in your assignment put in specific details you have learned about your industry by doing thorough internet research. For instance if there is a well known and high level of a certain bacteria or fungi or endotoxin found in a sugar preparation factory than you should mention this.
Includes all your references in a standardized style of your choice. Use calibri (body) font, like I am using here or Time New Roman. Don’t use any fancy, hard to read ,fonts. Use 12 point font.
The review questions above are just that. for you to review over. Do not include them in the assignment but consider them sample exam questions.
Pg. 27 General Procedure for evaluating workplace exposure to bioaerosols is also useful to look at.
The deadline to submit the assignment by email is found in the course outline. Do not miss the deadline. Why not send it in early instead. This is a one month compressed course. Do everything on time, or ahead of time. Why be late?
Good luck, Paul
