Monitoring the Work Environment of Job Processes
in a Telephone Handset Manufacturing Industry

B. Ravichandran1, S. Raghavan1, K. Ravibabu1, V. Krishnamurhty2, and H. R. Rajmohan1

1 Regional Occupational Health Centre, Bangalore Medical College Campus, Bangalore – 560 002, India
2 PES Institute of Technology, Bangalore – 85, India

Corresponding author: Dr. B. Ravichandran, Research Officer (Industrial Hygiene)
    Regional Occupational Health Centre, Bangalore Medical College Campus,
    Bangalore – 560 002, India
    Telephone: + 91-80- 26705037
    Fax number: +91-80-26703359
    E-mail: ravichandran65@yahoo.com

CEJOEM 2007, Vol.13. No.2.: 193–199


Key words:
Respirable particulate matter, trace metal, telephone handset, work environment


Abstract:
The study presents data on respirable particulate matter (RPM) and its trace metal content as well as noise intensity indices prevalent in electroplating, grinding, printed circuit board and woodwork sections of a telephone hand set-manufacturing unit. The average inhalable and respirable dust levels were 2.62 and 0.49 mg/m3, respectively. The mean value of aerosol particulates liberated during electroplating process was a 0.261 mg/m3. The average RPM levels measured in other sections like the grinding and the printed circuit board sections were 0.262 mg/m3, with a range of 0.071–0.793 mg/m3, and 0.227 mg/m3 with a range of 0.150–0.345 mg/m3, respectively. The concentrations of trace metals namely cadmium, nickel and zinc analyzed in the RPM samples were well within the recommended corresponding Threshold Limit Value as suggested by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). The noise levels exceeded the prescribed standards in some sections of the industry.


Received: 13 September 2007
Accepted: 12 November 2007

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