Vol. 10, Issue 9 (2021)

Author(s):
Anvesha, Abhay Kumar Mehta and Chhaya Ragho Kavitkar

Abstract:
The commercial wheat threshers when operated produce a sizeable amount of dust and the farm workers are exposed to it. In the present investigation three commonly used commercial wheat threshers were assessed for their particulate matter emissions. The mean dust concentrations of PM5 and PM10 were measured at the personal breathing zone (collar level) of the workers feeding crop in the feeding chute and collecting threshed grains at the grain outlet of the operating thresher. The research revealed that both the workers were exposed to a high level of dust concentrations exceeding the standard limits of 24 hour mean PM10 standard of 0.10 mg/m³ recommended by National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS, 2009) given by Central Pollution Control Board, New Delhi and 0.15 recommended by Environment Protection Agency (EPA, US 2011). The highest mean dust concentration of PM5 and PM10 were observed 1.67 and 3.44 mg/m³.