Inhalation exposure assessment to microplastics for workers in the laundry and dry cleaning industry

摘要 尽管在普通人群中接触到微塑料和纳米塑料(以下称为微塑料) 经过广泛评估，工人在工作场所接触微塑料的情况主要是未知的。有限实验室 研究估计，工人接触空气中的微塑料比空气中的微塑料高出几个数量级 普通人群。此外，在人类肺部的所有部分都发现了吸入的微塑料，并发现了 肺下部的水平明显较高。因此，处理或制造含有以下物质的材料的工人 微塑料对健康造成不良影响(例如，呼吸后果)的风险增加 在他们的工作场所暴露。据我们所知，没有研究直接检查个人接触 在工人中使用微塑料，特别是在服务部门。由合成纤维(塑料)制成的纺织品有 职业接触微塑料的重要来源。尽管工人们在干洗和干洗 洗衣业每天处理衣物和亚麻布，暴露在合成纤维(含微塑料)中， 这些工人接触微塑料的情况在很大程度上是未知的。此外，回顾研究总结说，工人 在服装行业中，处理合成纤维(包括尼龙、涤纶、丙烯酸酯)的患病率较高 呼吸系统疾病的发病率高于非接触人群。因此，干洗和洗衣行业的工人 经验可能会在他们的工作场所经历接触微塑料的巨大负担。2021年，干涸的 美国的清洁和洗衣业雇用了16万至24.4万人，不包括个体户 人。预计到2025年，这个行业将在全国范围内从2020年的108亿美元增长到144亿美元。然而， 由于缺乏，接触新兴微塑料对这一商业部门工人的影响尚不清楚 暴露评估的结果。这项建议的R21研究是对国家职业研究议程的回应： 服务部门和健康工作设计跨部门将评估关键决定因素的影响 (工作危害、工作场所和劳动力的特征)对洗衣房中微塑料吸入暴露的影响 和干洗业。我们的目标是(1)测量30名工人吸入微塑料的情况 洗衣和干洗行业，以及(2)确定与工作有关的因素(劳动力、工作场所、 和工作危害)对这些工人吸入接触微塑料的影响。结果将为未来提供信息 干预研究和培训计划，以制定减少工人接触微塑料的策略 服务业。这项拟议的研究还将通过向工人提供信息来改善科学知识差距 暴露在可沉积在人体肺部的微塑料中，并通过研究两者之间的关联 微塑料暴露和服务部门工人的不良健康影响。

Abstract Although exposure to microplastics and nanoplasctis (hereafter, microplastics) in general populations has been widely assessed, workers’ exposures to microplastics at workplaces are mainly unknown. Limited laboratory studies estimated that workers are exposed to airborne microplastics several orders of magnitude higher than general populations. Moreover, inhaled microplastics were found in all parts of the lung in humans and found significantly higher levels in the lower lung. Thus, workers handling or manufacturing materials containing microplastics are at increased risk for adverse health effects (e.g., respiratory outcomes) from microplastic exposures at their workplaces. To our knowledge, no studies have directly examined personal exposure to microplastics among workers, especially in the Service Sectors. Textiles made from synthetic (plastic) fibers are significant sources of occupational exposure to microplastics. Although workers in the drying cleaning and laundry industry are exposed to synthetic fibers (containing microplastics) by handling clothing and linens daily, these workers’ exposure to microplastics is largely unknown. Further, review studies summarized that workers in the garment industry handling synthetic fibers (including nylon, polyester, acrylic) had a higher prevalence of respiratory diseases than non-exposed populations. Hence, workers in the drying cleaning and laundry industry experience may experience a large burden of exposure to microplastics at their workplaces. In 2021, the dry cleaning and laundry industry in the United States employed 160,000 -244,000 persons, excluding self-employed persons. This industry is expected to grow nationally from $10.8 billion in 2020 to $14.4 billion by 2025. However, the impact of exposure to emerging microplastics on workers in this business sector is unknown due to the lack of exposure assessment. This proposed R21 study, in response to the National Occupational Research Agenda: the Services Sector and the Cross-sector of Healthy Work Design, will evaluate the effects of key determinants (work hazards, characteristics of workplace and workforce) on inhalation exposure to microplastics in the laundry and dry cleaning industry. We aim to (1) measure inhalation exposure to microplastics from 30 workers in the laundry and dry cleaning industry, and (2) determine the effects of work-related factors (workforce, workplace, and work hazards) on inhalation exposure to microplastics among these workers. The results will inform a future intervention study and training program to develop strategies for reducing workers’ exposure to microplastics in the Service Sector. The proposed research will also improve a scientific knowledge gap by informing workers’ exposure to microplastics that can be deposited in the human lungs, and by examining the association between microplastic exposure and adverse health effects among workers in the Services Sector.