Environmental and Medical Assessment of Stevedores Employed in Ferry Operations

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Abstract
The exposure of stevedores employed in ferry operations to a range of diesel and gasoline exhaust constituents was assessed. The exhaust constituents quantified included total particulate, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), aldehydes, oxides of nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide. In addition, acute and chronic respiratory effects of stevedores relative to a control population of port office workers were assessed. Air sampling was conducted on board the ferry on two successive evenings. The exposure of the control group to these contaminants was also measured. Total particulate was determined gravimetrically, while PAH were determined by high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis of the cyclohexane soluble fraction of particulate material. ldehydes were collected on SEP-PAK™ C18 cartridges treated with 2,4-dinitrophenyl-hydrazine and analyzed by HPLC. Exhaust gases were determined by frequent grab sampling using detector tubes. Medical assessment of stevedores and controls included a questionnaire assessment of respiratory symptoms, work and smoking history, and measurement of FVC, FEV1, FEF50, and FEF75. The concentrations of exhaust pollutants were all within accepted exposure standards and guidelines. PAH concentrations were below detectable limits. Only stevedore exposure to total particulate and carbon monoxide was significantly different from control group exposure. Lung function assessments provided evidence that an obstructive ventilatory defect was more prevalent in stevedores in comparison to controls.