Análise de particulados sólidos suspensos em cooperativas de cafés

Abstract

The generation of dust by moving grains in storage cooperatives can present occupational risks to the respiratory system. The objective of this study was to analyze environmental and occupational dust present in two coffee storage units, analyzing their physical and chemical characteristics. The analysis of suspended solid particulates was carried out in October 2021, in two agro-industrial cooperatives that store commodity and specialty coffees, with large storage capacity, located in the south of Minas Gerais. The collections were made at three heights for each area, at points located at approximately 2, 5 and 8m, in the commodity coffee agroindustry, and 1, 2 and 8m in height, in the specialty coffee agroindustry. The samples were analyzed in the laboratory by X-Ray Diffractmetry and gravimetry, using NIOSH 7500 methodologies, described by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The mapping of the distribution of particulate matter in the cooperatives was carried out using the Surfer 14® Software, with the Kriging Method of interpolation. The granulometry of the solid particles was determined using a sieve shaker with vibration for 10 min, with speed/intensity 4, with meshes of 12, 20, 40, 60, 70, and 100 mesh. For the chemical characterization of the dust, an analysis of bioactives was carried out, including caffeine, trigonelline and chlorogenic acids, using high-performance liquid chromatography. The quantitative and qualitative determination of pesticides in the samples was carried out at the Pesticide Residues Laboratory of the Instituto Biológico, using the QuEChERS method. The amount of dust generated in specialty and commodity coffee cooperatives was higher in the receiving and processing sectors, with the highest concentration up to a height of 5m, being intensified in the specialty coffee unit. The analysis of the environmental chemical risk showed a higher amount of total dust for the specialty coffee cooperative, however the limit of crystallized free silica was lower than the detection limit for the two agroindustries. According to the granulometric analysis of the particles, it was observed that 5.8% of the dust is smaller than 0.150 mm, and may contain particles smaller than 0.025 mm, likely to reach the lungs. The bioactives of trigonelline, chlorogenic acid and caffeine had a higher content in the dust of the specialty coffee unit. The quantification of pesticide residues present in the dust showed values above the maximum limit for Thiamethoxam and Lambida-cyhalothrin, in the specialty coffee cooperative, and Cyproconazole for the commodity coffee cooperative.