Environmentally Sustainable Occupational Exposure to Nanoparticles: A Pilot Study of Prevalence Symptoms and Truck Drivers Exposure to Diesel Ultrafine Particles

Abstract

The aim of this pilot study is to investigate and examine the health risks associated with generational nano particles inhaled by truck drivers. The data for the pilot study was collected between May-November 2012 using a random sample survey of 50 Birmingham-area truck drivers that was selected from the Alabama Trucking Association membership directory and shipper.s guide. Survey questions were designed to gather self-reported prevalence symptoms. The entire sample of respondents was 40; however, 15 cases could not be used because these respondents did not complete the questionnaire survey. The remaining 25 were used for the pilot study. The survey included questions on type of work and vehicle; exposure; symptoms such as frequency and severity of wheeze and chest tightness; and personal data, including age, gender, and smoking habits. Questions about cough and phlegm were based on the American Medical Research clinical definitions. The symptoms that were more prevalent in the sample of Birmingham, Alabama truck drivers were headaches, dizziness, and falling asleep unintentionally (perhaps factors other than exposure to diesel exhaust, e.g. stress, and noise contributes to falling asleep). Furthermore, truck drivers exposed to vehicle exhaust from diesel fumes experienced shortness of breath with increasing years of driving. The results of the pilot study as indicated by truck drivers suggest diesel exhaust is an occupational health hazard to individuals who drive diesel vehicles. Furthermore, truck drivers exposed to diesel exhaust fumes experienced greater adverse health risks ranging from headaches and nausea to cancer and respiratory disease.

Keywords: Diesel exhaust, lung cancer, truck driver,
occupational exposure, nano particles