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Influence of the electrostatic field on workers and measures regarding its normalization in office and production premises

Influence of the electrostatic field on workers and measures regarding its normalization in office and production premises

ISSN 2223-6775 Ukrainian journal of occupational health Vol.20, No 4, 2024

https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2024.04.301

Influence of the electrostatic field on workers and measures regarding its normalization in office and production premises

Nazarenko V.I.1), Glyva V.A.2), Sokurenko S.A.3),Makhniuk V.M.4), Brukhno R.P.1,5), Cherednichenko I.M.1)

1) State Instituton "Kundiiev Institute of Occupational Health of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine", Kyiv

2) Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, Kyiv

3) "NAFTOGAZ CT" LLC, Kyiv

4) State Instituton "Marzieiev Institute for Public Health of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine", Kyiv

5) O.O. Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv

Introduction:

The use of polymer materials, electronic devices in workplaces with low humidity and the absence or abnormal electrical resistance of the neutral protective conductor can lead to high levels of electrostatic charges and conditions similar to the "Faraday cage" that many people are in for long periods of time. The type, polarity and strength of the static electric field (SEF) to which people are exposed can affect their health through effects on physiological functions of the body and the level of submicron air pollutants. ESF refers to factors of an electromagnetic nature, which are subject to the process of hygienic regulation in Ukraine and the implementation of preventive measures.

Aim of the Study

Is to determine the parameters of the SEF in office and industrial premises, where products made of polymer materials are used, and measures to normalize it at workplaces

Materials and Methods:

The studies of SEF parameters were carried out on typical workers in the office premises of Naftogaz CT LLC and in the production premises of Plastic-karta LLC (Kyiv) in accordance with DSTU EN ISO/IEC 17025:2019 "General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories" (EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017, IDT; ISO/IEC 17025:2017, IDT) and current regulatory and methodological documentation. SEF voltages were determined using a ST-01 electrostatic field meter, microclimate parameters were assessed using a Testo 405 V1 thermal anemometer and a Testo 605 H1 thermal psychrometer, and the amount of aeroions was measured using a MAC-01 counter.

Results:

At workplaces in the card production shop of Plastic-card LLC, the voltage levels of ESD near the boxes with plastic PVC cards can be up to 26-43 kV/m, which exceeds the permissible level (GDR=15 kV/m). When the relative humidity of the air increases to optimal values, there is a decrease in ESP levels up to 3 times and an increase in the concentration of negative aeroions (380–440 units/cm3) and positive aeroions (450–540 units/cm3).. In the office premises of "Naftogaz CT" LLC, the main source of SEF is chairs and armchairs for sitting, which are made with the use of polymeric synthetic materials. On the seat and the back of the chair NEO NEW GTP ZT– 07 (covering material - 100% polyolefin) the SEF levels range from 31 - 41 kV/m and 35 - 40 kV/m, respectively, which exceeded the permissible values (GDR=15 kV/m ). On the Fly HBGTP Tilt PL 61 ОН/5 chairs (covering material – 100% polyester), ESP levels did not exceed 10.1 kV/m. When the surfaces of the chairs were treated with an antistatic aerosol, a decrease in the tension of the ESP was observed on the Fly HBGTP Tilt PL 61 ОН/5 chairs and on the NEO NEW GTP ZT– 07 chairs up to 4-5 times. At the same time, office workers' complaints about "electrostatic" discomfort decreased from 25% to 5%.

Conclusions:

At workplaces where furniture products or technological processes using artificial polymeric substances are used, exceeding the regulatory levels of SEF and the appearance of "static electric" discomfort among workers may be observed. When the air is humidified to optimal values in the production premises of "Plastik-karta" LLC, there is a decrease in SEF levels up to 3 times at workplaces. Treatment of the surfaces of armchairs and chairs for sitting covered with synthetic polymer materials with an antistatic aerosol can lead to a decrease in the tension of SEF up to 4-5 times and a decrease in the complaints of office workers about "static electric" discomfort from 25% to 5%. An inverse correlation of medium degree between the levels of SEF intensity and the relative humidity of the air and the number of negatively and positively charged aeroions in the air of industrial and office premises was established. The order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 13.01.2023 No. 81 regarding the normalization of the limit value of exposure to an static electric field (0 Hz) needs to be revised. It is necessary to develop recommendations regarding the working conditions of workers in office and industrial premises equipped with furniture products or technological processes using artificial polymer substances, electronic equipment and high-tech production equipment with software control.

Keywords: static electric field, hygienic regulations, workplaces, industrial and office premises, preventive measures

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