Citation

Hai DN, Chai SK, Chien VC, Keifer M, Takaro T, Yu J, Son PH, Trung LV, Barnhart S. Int. J. Occup. Environ. Health 2001; 7(3): 195-200.

Affiliation

National Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, Ha Noi, Viet Nam.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Maney Pub.)

DOI

10.1179/107735201800339335

PMID

11513069

Abstract

Viet Nam has an increasing need for building materials, including refractory bricks. Little is known regarding the occupational hazards incurred in brick manufacturing. To determine the occupational health hazards posed by a refractory brick operation in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, a cross-sectional occupational risk survey was conducted, focusing on respirable dust hazards. It included an industrial hygiene walk-through and gravimetric dust analysis. Noise, heat, lack of head protection, and dust exposure were hazards identified at the brick-manufacturing site. Respiratory protection involved a three-layer cloth mask that had not been tested for efficacy. Silica dust exposure levels exceeded the Vietnamese permissible exposure level by almost fivefold based on gravimetric assessment and estimated silica content. This brick manufacturing site contains significant injury and respiratory illness hazards. Further investigations are necessary to begin to develop occupational safety measures at the site.

Language: en