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

摘要 尽管在一般人群中暴露于微塑料和纳米塑料（以下简称微塑料）已经被证明是有害的。 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，工人暴露于空气中的微塑料比空气中的微塑料高几个数量级。 一般人群。此外，在人类肺部的所有部位都发现了吸入性微塑料， 在下肺中的含量明显更高因此，处理或制造含有 微塑料具有增加的不利健康影响的风险（例如，呼吸结果） 工作场所的暴露。据我们所知，没有研究直接检查个人暴露于 在工人中，特别是在服务部门。由合成（塑料）纤维制成的纺织品 职业接触微塑料的重要来源。虽然工人在烘干清洗和 洗衣业通过每天处理衣服和亚麻布而暴露于合成纤维（含有微塑料）， 这些工人接触微塑料的情况在很大程度上是未知的。此外，审查研究总结说，工人 在服装行业，处理合成纤维（包括尼龙、聚酯、丙烯酸）的流行率较高， 呼吸道疾病的发病率高于非接触人群。因此，在干燥清洁和洗衣行业的工人 经验可能会经历在工作场所接触微塑料的巨大负担。2021年，干 美国清洁和洗衣行业雇用了160，000 - 244，000人，不包括自营职业者 人士该行业预计将从2020年的108亿美元增长到2025年的144亿美元。然而，在这方面， 暴露于新兴微塑料对该行业工人的影响尚不清楚， 暴露评估。这项拟议的R21研究，响应国家职业研究议程： 服务部门和健康工作设计的跨部门，将评估关键决定因素的影响 (work危害、工作场所和劳动力的特点）对吸入暴露于洗衣房中的微塑料的影响 干洗行业。我们的目标是（1）测量30名工人的微塑料吸入暴露， 洗衣和干洗业，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）对这些工人吸入微塑料的影响。结果将告知未来 干预研究和培训计划，以制定减少工人接触微塑料的战略， 服务部门。这项拟议中的研究还将通过告知工人的知识来改善科学知识差距。 暴露于可以沉积在人类肺部的微塑料，并通过检查 微塑料暴露和对服务业工人健康的不利影响。

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.