HSC 248 Final Exam

Second Most Common Occupational Disease

Occupational skin diseases (e.g., dermatitis).

Skin Notation

Identifies chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin.

Three Layers of Skin

Epidermis (outer), Dermis (middle), Hypodermis (inner).

Chemical Causes of Skin Disorders

Irritants (cause immediate damage) & allergens (trigger immune response).

Typical Dermatoses

Contact dermatitis, eczema, urticaria (hives).

Parts of Respiratory System

Upper (nose, pharynx) & Lower (trachea, lungs).

Gas/Vapor Solubility & Disease Location

Highly soluble gases affect upper airways; less soluble gases reach deep lungs.

Particle Size & Disease Location

Small particles reach alveoli; larger ones remain in upper airways.

Restrictive vs. Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Restrictive: Limits lung expansion (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis). Obstructive: Blocks airflow (e.g., asthma, COPD).

Pneumoconiosis

Lung disease from inhaling dust (e.g., silicosis).

FEV1 & FVC

Lung function tests; FEV1 measures forced exhalation volume in 1 second, FVC is total forced exhalation.

Silicosis as a Sentinel Event

Indicates serious workplace hazard. Sentinel Event: A warning sign of widespread occupational risk.

Silica & Its Dangers

Found in sand, stone, concrete; can cause lung disease (silicosis).

Parts of Ear

Outer: Pinna & auditory canal. Middle: Eardrum & ossicles. Inner: Cochlea & vestibular system.

Sound Speed Formula

Speed = Wavelength × Frequency.

Primary Hearing Loss Types

Conductive (outer/middle ear issue), Sensorineural (inner ear/nerve damage).

Sound Pressure Weighting

Adjusts for human ear sensitivity to frequencies.

Distance Effect Rule

Doubling distance reduces sound level by ~6 dB.

Criterion Level for PEL & HCA

PEL = 90 dB, HCA = 85 dB.

Threshold Level

Minimum sound intensity detected.

Exchange Rate (ER)

Trade-off between duration & intensity of exposure.

Meters for Noise Measurement

Sound level meter, Octave band analyzer, Dosimeter, Frequency analyzer.

Noise Problem Components

Source, Path, Receiver.

Source Control

Modify equipment, use quieter tools.

Noise Path Control

Barriers, acoustic insulation.

Receiver Protection

Earplugs, earmuffs.

Radioactive Half-Life

Time for radioactive material to decay to half of original amount.

Types of Ionizing Radiation

Alpha, Beta, Gamma rays.

Ionizing Radiation Harm

Causes DNA damage, increasing cancer risk.

Radiation Control Methods

Time reduction, Distance increase, Shielding.

Non-Ionizing Radiation

Low-energy radiation (e.g., UV, microwave, infrared).

Non-Ionizing Radiation Interactions

Reflection, Absorption, Transmission.

Effects of Non-Ionizing Radiation Absorption

Causes heat damage.

TWA Exposure Difference

Non-ionizing radiation effects accumulate differently than other workplace exposures.

General Types of GHS Hazards

Health, Physical, Environmental.

Hazard Determination

Evaluates risks of chemical exposure.

GHS Meaning

Globally Harmonized System (for chemical hazard classification).

GHS Purpose

Standardizes hazard communication worldwide.

Four Tenets of Industrial Hygiene (IH)

Anticipation, Recognition, Evaluation, Control.