Benzene exposure among auto-repair workers from workplace ambience: A pioneer study from Pakistan

Objectives: In Pakistan, the reports on benzene exposure among workers in chemical industries are almost non-existing due to limited research work in the field of exposure science. This study aimed to investigate such exposure in a widely adopted occupation in Rawalpindi city. Material and Methods:...

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Main Authors: Atif Kamal, Audil Rashid
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine 2014-10-01
Series:International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
Subjects:
Online Access:http://ijomeh.eu/Benzene-exposure-among-auto-repair-workers-from-workplace-ambience-a-pioneer-study-from-pakistan,2111,0,2.html
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author Atif Kamal
Audil Rashid
author_facet Atif Kamal
Audil Rashid
author_sort Atif Kamal
collection DOAJ
description Objectives: In Pakistan, the reports on benzene exposure among workers in chemical industries are almost non-existing due to limited research work in the field of exposure science. This study aimed to investigate such exposure in a widely adopted occupation in Rawalpindi city. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 blood samples (N = 20/group) of mechanics (MCs), spray painters (PNs) and control participants (CN) were analyzed. The socio-economic and demographic information of workers and that of workplaces was documented using a short questionnaire. Results: We identified that the workers in spray-painting occupation are highly at risk of benzene exposure. The results showed that PNs were more at risk of exposure to benzene than MCs, and this exposure was significantly correlated with long working hours (r = 0.68, p < 0.001). Moreover, there are several limitations in workplace setups, which need to be addressed in order to mitigate workers health risk in this occupation. In addition to the reckless use of chemicals, other identified predictors of exposure included active and passive smoking, poor workplace hygiene and substandard ventilation. Conclusions: To mitigate workplace exposure, it is necessary to reduce working hours and encourage regular use of self-protective equipments and adoption of proper hygiene in chemical workplaces.
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spelling doaj.art-f8852ccd5c8544cfafbcc5ad7f7180752022-12-21T23:50:30ZengNofer Institute of Occupational MedicineInternational Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health1232-10871896-494X2014-10-0127583083910.2478/s13382-014-0295-3Benzene exposure among auto-repair workers from workplace ambience: A pioneer study from PakistanAtif KamalAudil RashidObjectives: In Pakistan, the reports on benzene exposure among workers in chemical industries are almost non-existing due to limited research work in the field of exposure science. This study aimed to investigate such exposure in a widely adopted occupation in Rawalpindi city. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 blood samples (N = 20/group) of mechanics (MCs), spray painters (PNs) and control participants (CN) were analyzed. The socio-economic and demographic information of workers and that of workplaces was documented using a short questionnaire. Results: We identified that the workers in spray-painting occupation are highly at risk of benzene exposure. The results showed that PNs were more at risk of exposure to benzene than MCs, and this exposure was significantly correlated with long working hours (r = 0.68, p < 0.001). Moreover, there are several limitations in workplace setups, which need to be addressed in order to mitigate workers health risk in this occupation. In addition to the reckless use of chemicals, other identified predictors of exposure included active and passive smoking, poor workplace hygiene and substandard ventilation. Conclusions: To mitigate workplace exposure, it is necessary to reduce working hours and encourage regular use of self-protective equipments and adoption of proper hygiene in chemical workplaces.http://ijomeh.eu/Benzene-exposure-among-auto-repair-workers-from-workplace-ambience-a-pioneer-study-from-pakistan,2111,0,2.htmlPakistanbenzenespray paintersauto-repair workersRawalpindiblood
spellingShingle Atif Kamal
Audil Rashid
Benzene exposure among auto-repair workers from workplace ambience: A pioneer study from Pakistan
International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
Pakistan
benzene
spray painters
auto-repair workers
Rawalpindi
blood
title Benzene exposure among auto-repair workers from workplace ambience: A pioneer study from Pakistan
title_full Benzene exposure among auto-repair workers from workplace ambience: A pioneer study from Pakistan
title_fullStr Benzene exposure among auto-repair workers from workplace ambience: A pioneer study from Pakistan
title_full_unstemmed Benzene exposure among auto-repair workers from workplace ambience: A pioneer study from Pakistan
title_short Benzene exposure among auto-repair workers from workplace ambience: A pioneer study from Pakistan
title_sort benzene exposure among auto repair workers from workplace ambience a pioneer study from pakistan
topic Pakistan
benzene
spray painters
auto-repair workers
Rawalpindi
blood
url http://ijomeh.eu/Benzene-exposure-among-auto-repair-workers-from-workplace-ambience-a-pioneer-study-from-pakistan,2111,0,2.html
work_keys_str_mv AT atifkamal benzeneexposureamongautorepairworkersfromworkplaceambienceapioneerstudyfrompakistan
AT audilrashid benzeneexposureamongautorepairworkersfromworkplaceambienceapioneerstudyfrompakistan