Dias, MartaPena, PedroGomes, BiancaCervantes, RenataGonçalves, SaraViegas, SusanaViegas, Carla2024-06-202024-06-202024-06Dias M, Pena P, Gomes B, Cervantes R, Gonçalves S, Viegas S, Viegas C. Sampling protocol to assess occupational exposure to microbial contamination in wood working environments. In: IOHA 2024 – Advancing Worker Health Protection, Aviva Stadium, Dublin (Ireland), June 9-13, 2024.http://hdl.handle.net/10400.21/17513This project was supported by FCT/MCTES UIDP/05608/2020, and UIDB/05608/2020. This work is also supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES/FSE/UE, 2023.01366.BD; UI/BD/153746/2022 and CE3C unit UIDB/00329/2020; UI/BD/151431/2021; and Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, national support through IPL/2022/InChildhealth/BI/12M; IPL/IDI&CA2023/FoodAIIEU_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ASPRisk_ESTeSL; IPL/IDI&CA2023/ARAFSawmills_ESTeSL.The sawmill market is driven by rising construction demand and it is foreseen an increase due to the need to overcome the lack of housing throughout Europe. Workers in the sawmill industry may be exposed to wood derivatives, microorganisms, and their products. Wood products can cause health effects such as decreased lung function, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and various respiratory disorders. Exposure to wood dust infected with microorganisms, particularly fungi, can lead to allergic alveolitis and asthma in woodworkers. There is a knowledge gap in the field of microbial occupational exposure assessment in sawmills. The importance of an accurate assessment and risk management should be emphasized. This study aims to define a protocol that allows a proper assessment of microbial contamination in woodworking environments.engOccupational healthOccupational exposureMicrobial contaminationWoodworkerFCT_UIDP/05608/2020FCT_UIDB/05608/2020IPL/2022/InChildhealth/BI/12MIPL/IDI&CA2023/FoodAIIEU_ESTeSLIPL/IDI&CA2023/ASPRisk_ESTeSLIPL/IDI&CA2023/ARAFSawmills_ESTeSLconference object