Exposure to Methyl Methacrylate and Its Subjective Symptoms Among Dental Technicians,Tehran, Iran |
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| Authors: | Farideh Golbabaei Maryam Mamdouh Keramat Nouri Jelyani Seyed Jamaleddin Shahtaheri |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Public Health &2. Institute of Public Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Irangol128@sphtums.com;4. Institute of Public Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, I.R. Iran |
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| Abstract: | Exposure to methyl methacrylate (MMA), total dust and health symptoms were investigated in 20 dental laboratories located in Tehran, Iran. Time-weighted average (TWA) of MMA and peak concentrations were determined, using XAD-2 tubes followed by GC-ID analysis. Total dusts were evaluated gravimetrically. Health symptoms were asked using a questionnaire. TWA for technicians with direct and indirect exposure to MMA were 327.28 ± 79.42 and 282.9 ± 41.84 mg/m3 , respectively. Peak concentration of MMA for those technicians were 337.0 ± 36.81 and 328.88 ± 45.40 mg/m3, respectively.There were no significant differences between TWA of MMA and peak concentration in different weekly workdays; however, within-day variations were observed (P < .05).TWA of MMA and peak concentration correlation with the laboratory volume were 0.61-0.65. Dust exposure of technicians was 2.35 ± 2.70 mg/m3. Cough and skin dryness were the common health symptoms. Smoking and asbestos exposure history were factors influencing cough prevalence (p < .05).It is concluded that the current Short-Term Exposure Limit (STEL) is not low enough to protect technicians against the adverse effects caused by MMA. |
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| Keywords: | methyl methacrylate (MMA) dental technicians dental laboratories health symptoms time-weighted average (TWA) concentration peak concentration |
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