Comparative health risk assessment of occupational dust exposure in industrial sectors using multiple models and...

Dust, a common pollutant resulting from industrial activities, poses significant risks to workers across various sectors, including agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. Dust risk assessments are vital for implementing preventive measures and improving air quality in workplaces. This study aims to identify the most suitable technique for evaluating dust exposure risk among workers in the wood, textile, food, and livestock industries. A cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted to assess dust exposure risks in the wood, textile, food, and livestock industries using three risk assessment approaches: qualitative, quantitative, and semi-quantitative methods. These methods were compared, and the Monte Carlo Simulation was used to model non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. The highest dust concentration was in the food industry, while the textile sector had the lowest. Dust levels in the textile and food industries exceeded safe limits. US-EPA assessment showed adverse health effects in all industries, with significant carcinogenic risks in the wood, food, and livestock sectors. The SQRA method categorized risks as very high in textile, low in food, and negligible in wood and livestock, while the ICMM method classified risks as intolerable in all industries. A significant correlation was found between risk scores and dust concentrations (P < 0.05). Chemical exposure risks in the studied industries were found to be intolerable, with adverse health effects. The results highlight the critical need for interventions to control dust exposure and mitigate health risks in these sectors.