RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Automobile spray painters in Nigeria are exposed to organic solvents due to the hazardous nature of their work. Inadequate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) may intensify exposure to high levels of chemical hazards with resultant health problems. OBJECTIVES: The present study assessed PPE use and work practices and compared work-related health problems of spray painters and controls in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 spray painters and 120 controls (electronic technicians). Data on socio-demographics, work practices, knowledge about organic solvent-related hazards and self-reported health symptoms were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. Clinical examinations were performed for all respondents and the composition of organic solvents in paints and paint products were derived from material safety data sheets. RESULTS: All respondents were male, and the mean age was 32.7±13.8 years for painters and 33.9±15.5 years for controls. Few (7.5%) painters perceived their use of PPE to be adequate. All spray painters worked in enclosed workshops and N-butyl acetate was the most commonly used organic solvent. Spray painters reported excessive tear production, recurrent cough, and short-term memory loss more frequently than controls (P<0.05). In addition, 89% of painters noticed paint-stained sputum immediately after spray painting. The prevalence ratio of respiratory symptoms was higher in spray painters than controls (prevalence ratio=21.0, CI=2.9-153.6). On clinical examination, more spray painters had corneal opacity and dry skin when compared with controls (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Spray painters in the study area worked amidst chemical hazards and had poor use of PPE. Exposure to organic solvents may be responsible for the higher prevalence of self-reported health problems among spray painters. Interventions to enforce the use of PPE and improve the knowledge of organic solvent-related hazards among spray painters are essential. PARTICIPANT CONSENT: Obtained. ETHICS APPROVAL: Ethical approval to conduct the study was obtained from the Health Research and Ethics Committee of the Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Nigeria (HREC No: IPHOAU/12/463). COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare no competing financial interests.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Furniture making industries are small scale businesses that commonly use organic solvents. There has been minimal focus on the health effects of this chemical hazard on the nervous system among furniture makers in Nigeria. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to assess the association between organic solvents exposure and neurobehavioral status of furniture makers, using electronic technicians as a comparison group. METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study design was employed. A sample size of 108 was calculated for each group. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on the socio-demographic variables and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). A proforma was developed to collect neurobehavioral assessment data. A checklist was used to assess the furniture makers' workshops. Air was sampled from all of the workshops in both the study and comparison groups to determine the concentration of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs). RESULTS: The use of PPE was poor in both the study and comparison groups, with no significant difference between them (34.4% and 37.7% respectively). Total volatile organic compound and formaldehyde (HCHO) concentrations were significantly higher at the furniture makers' workshops compared with electronic technicians (p<0.001) for both chemicals. The 8-hour time-weighted average of TVOC was also higher in the furniture makers' workshops (4.4±0.6 mg/m3) compared with the control group (0.3±0.3 mg/m3). The neurobehavioral symptoms score was significantly higher among the study group relative to the comparison group (p<0.001). There was a significant difference in the outcome of the auditory verbal learning test, total recall (p=0.005), and delayed recall (p=0.003). There was no significant association between solvent exposure index and findings from the simple reaction time test. CONCLUSIONS: Poor compliance with the use of PPE among furniture makers may increase their exposure to organic solvents. There were more neurobehavioral changes in the furniture makers with a higher exposure index. Measures are needed to educate artisans about workrelated chemical hazards and ensure compliance with basic occupational safety and hygiene standards. PARTICIPANT CONSENT: Obtained. ETHICS APPROVAL: Ethics approval was obtained from the Health Research and Ethics Committee of the Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University (IPH/OAU/12/1049). COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare no competing financial interests.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Nigeria has a growing spray painting industry, however, the burden of occupational health problems related to organic solvent exposure among spray painters in Nigeria is under-studied. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess workshop characteristics and ambient concentration of total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in spray painting workshops and to compare lung function status and total serum bile acid levels of spray painters and controls. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was employed to survey 120 spray painters and 120 controls (electronic technicians). A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on socio-demographics characteristics of the respondents. Weight, height and lung function of respondents were measured. In addition, a checklist was used to survey the spray painting workshops. Total VOC levels were determined in 37 spray painting and 31 electronic workshops. Data were analyzed using Statistical Program for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and a p-value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Windows were present in only 5 (13.5%) spray painting workshops and 23 (62%) workshops had a retractable tarpaulin at the entrance. Only 9 (24%) workshops had changing rooms, while fire extinguishers and first aid kits were not present in any of the surveyed workshops. A respirator with filter was sighted in only 1 (3%) workshop. The 8-hour time weighted average concentration of total VOCs in spray painting workshops was 13.4 ppm, which is above the national permissible exposure limits of 1.9 ppm. Forced vital capacity (FVC) percent predicted was significantly lower in spray painters (93.9 ±10.8%) than controls (96.7± 8.2%) (t = -2.326, df=238 p< 0.001). In addition, forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) percent predicted was lower in spray painters (94.6±12.2%) than controls (100.3±9.1%) (t=-4.058, df=238, p=0.002). FEV1/FVC% was significantly lower among spray painters (85.48±8.70%) compared with controls (87.88±6.22%) (t=-2.861 df=238, p= 0.005). Total serum bile acids was significantly elevated in painters (8.71±3.39 mmol/l) compared to controls (4.67 ±2.15 mmol/l) (t=10.358, df=213, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Spray painters in the present study conduct their activities in hazardous work settings. More needs to be done concerning workplace regulation and enforcements to ensure that spray painters comply with minimum standards of occupational safety, workplace hygiene and sanitation. PATIENT CONSENT: Obtained. ETHICS APPROVAL: Ethical approval was granted by the Health Research and Ethics Committee of the Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University.
