2 min read
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Currently there are more than 90,000 technicians in the United States employed in the automotive maintenance and repair industry. Working in automotive shops may pose exposure to multiple occupational risks, including noise, vibration, dust, fuel and exhaust emissions.
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Air and battery-operated tools are widely used in daily activities. Such instruments generate sound pressure levels above 90 dBA and are known to transmit HAV.
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In addition, employees are exposed to aerosols from tires, suspension and brake systems, as well as gas and vapor emissions.
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This study focused on evaluation of exposures to noise, vibration, and total dust in automotive shops.
Meet Damyan Popov
Damyan Popov graduated from the University of Central Missouri in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Technology Management and a minor in Business Administration. Mr. Popov completed the program with a GPA of 3.48. He has been on the Dean’s List for four consecutive years between 2018 and 2021. Damyan is recipient of the Noel B. Grinstead Scholarship during the Fall 2020/Spring 2021.
Mr. Popov is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Industrial Hygiene at the University of Central Missouri. His current GPA is 4.0 with anticipated graduation in spring 2024. Damyan is a recipient of the Herbert H. Jones Industrial Hygiene Scholarship, the BCSP Foundation QAP/ABET Student Scholarship, and the AIHF Scholarship for the Fall 2022/Spring 2023.
Damyan currently works full-time as an automotive technician. His work activities include diagnosis and vehicle repair, safety inspections, evaluation and monitoring of health and safety hazards.
His professional interests include evaluation of noise, vibration, particulate matter, sampling and analysis of organic gases and vapors. Damyan is a member of the UCM Automotive Club and has been UCM intramural soccer champion three times between 2021 and 2022. He is also a member of the Kansas City Karting Association and finished fourth and second in the Go-Kart Racing competition in 2021 and 2022 respectively in the LO206 Senior class.
Damyan Popov has particular interest in motor sports safety and health.
