Exposure of gasoline station workers to leaded gasoline in the Gaza strip: awareness and self reported symptoms

ABSTRACT

Awareness and self reported symptoms among 105 gasoline station workers in the Gaza Strip were assessed. A cross section of workers was asked to fill in a questionnaire. Workers reported high level of knowledge on health effects of leaded gasoline 88 [83.8%] and lead as an environmental pollutant 89 [84.8%]. Protective measures were poorly used. Knowledge seems not to have much influence on practice. The most common self reported symptoms were neurological symptoms including headache 78 [74.3%], fatigue 74 [70.5%], irritability 66 [62.9%], concentration difficulties 65 [61.9%], and sleep disturbance 55 [52.4%]. The prevalence of symptoms increased with increasing years of work [chi corrected=7.713, P=0.021]. Use of respiratory mask in particular can potentially limit such symptoms [chi corrected=8.325, P=0.004]