Problematiche connesse all'inquinamento da polvere e da rumore in un opificio per la lavorazione delle mandorle

The research concerns the risk assessment due to noise and dust in a farm traditionally oriented to the processing of almonds. The different production phases were studied in order to identify the possible dust and noise sources, a box scheme of the technological cycle was developed, the specific duties of every production phases and the personnel permanence in the different working areas were identified. The dustiness was sampled both in a fixed location for the characterisation of sources and with personal sampling devices for the assessment of the exposition of different professional categories. The sampling of the inspirable dust was conducted according to the ACGIH indications. Regarding the noise risk, the procedure indicated in the D. Lgs 277/91 was followed and both sources and single professional Lep,d were analysed. The results showed that the dust levels are different in the various working areas and that the overall exposition to dust, both inspirable and respirable, is within the reference values for professional exposition. At the contrary, the noise exposition presented high risk levels, particularly for the contribution due to the automatic selector machine in the relevant working area The data analysis eventually allowed to predispose some technical operations in order to enhance the working environment in terms of dust and noise