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Evaluation of exposures and respiratory health at a coffee roasting and packaging facility and associated café [HHE-2016-0067-3313]
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2018/04/01
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Source: Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HHE 2016-0067-3313, 2018 Apr; :1-53
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Description:In January 2016, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from the management of a coffee roasting and packaging facility and associated coffee café regarding concerns about exposures to and health effects from diacetyl during coffee roasting, grinding, and café tasks. In March 2016, we conducted an industrial hygiene survey and ventilation assessment. We also performed a medical survey. The industrial hygiene survey consisted of collecting personal breathing zone and general area air samples for alpha-diketones (i.e., diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and 2,3-hexanedione). Bulk samples of whole bean green and roasted coffee were collected to evaluate the potential for emission of diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and 2,3-hexanedione. We used continuous monitoring instruments to measure total volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity in specific areas and during tasks. The medical survey consisted of a health questionnaire and breathing tests. At the roasting and packaging facility, all full-shift personal air sample results were below the recommended exposure limits for diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione. Grinding tasks in the production area resulted in the highest alpha-diketone exposures. Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide concentrations in the air did not exceed applicable exposure limits. Eye and nose symptoms were the most commonly reported symptoms. Breathing trouble and awakening with chest tightness were the most commonly reported lower respiratory symptom. All participants with upper or lower respiratory symptoms reported that their symptoms did not improve away from work. These respiratory symptoms and the lung function abnormalities could be related to workplace exposures or to other factors. However, our findings of respiratory symptoms caused or aggravated by dust, green bean dust, or chaff in 40% of medical survey participants suggest a burden of respiratory problems in this workforce. We recommend operating the rooftop air-handling unit at all times during production activities, implementing administrative controls such as modification of work practices, training employees about workplace hazards, and voluntary use of N95 disposable filtering facepiece respirators available for protection against green or roasted coffee dust exposure such as when working with green coffee beans or chaff. At the café, three of five full-shift personal air samples were above the recommended exposure limit for diacetyl of 5 parts per billion, with the highest measured concentration of 6 parts per billion. None of the personal samples exceeded the recommended exposure limit for 2,3-pentanedione. An employee that made espresso drinks, including grinding the coffee beans, had the highest personal task-based exposures for diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione. Both diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione air concentrations increased over the course of the work day. When we measured beside the expresso machine, carbon dioxide levels also increased slightly throughout the day, and were higher than recommended. The air-handling unit that provided ventilation to the café was recirculating 100% of the air from the café spaces without bringing in any outdoor air. An adequate supply of outdoor air, typically delivered through the heating, and air-conditioning system, is necessary in any indoor environment to dilute pollutants that are released by equipment, building materials, furnishing, processes and products (e.g., grinding coffee) as well as people. Nose symptoms followed by sinusitis or sinus problems were the most commonly reported symptoms; medical survey participants did not report any work-related symptoms. All spirometry and exhaled nitric oxide tests were normal. We recommend training employees about workplace hazards and working with a ventilation expert to bring in appropriate levels of outdoor air to meet ventilation guidelines.
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Pages in Document:62 pdf pages
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Contributor:Burns, Dru A.;Duling, Matthew;Edwards, Nicole;Fedan, Kathleen;Hatcher, Kyle;Johnson, Alyson;LeBouf, Ryan;McClelland, Tia;Mugford, Christopher;Ranpara, Anand;Tift, Brian;
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NIOSHTIC Number:20051476
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NTIS Accession Number:PB2018-101025
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Citation:NIOSH [2018]. Health hazard evaluation report: evaluation of exposures and;respiratory health at a coffee roasting and packaging facility and associated;café. By Martin SB, LeBouf RF, Stanton ML, Bailey RL. Morgantown, WV: U.S.;Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and;Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH HHE;Report No. 2016-0067-3313.;
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Federal Fiscal Year:2018
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Peer Reviewed:False
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Resource Number:HHE-2016-0067-3313
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[PDF-1.22 MB]
