Health Impacts of Garage Workers: A preliminary study

This research study was carried out in two automobile repair garages situated in the Bangkok metropolitan area, employing 47 and 12 workers respectively. Air sampling, biological monitoring (blood, urine), noise monitoring, and audiometry of workers were done to assess the occupational environment a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental health 1994-05, Vol.56 (9), p.19-24
Main Authors: Muttamara, Samorn, Alwis, K. Udeni
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
560300 > Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
Acoustic noise
AIR POLLUTION
Air sampling
ASIA
Automobile repair shops
Automobiles
Automotive repair shops
Background noise
Biological monitoring
COMMERCIAL SECTOR
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
Engines
Environmental aspects
Environmental health
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
EXHAUST GASES
FLUIDS
Fumes
Garages
GASEOUS WASTES
GASES
GASOLINE SERVICE STATIONS
HAZARDS
Health aspects
HEALTH HAZARDS
Heavy metals
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
LEAD
MARKETERS
METALS
metropolitan areas
Motor vehicles
Noise levels
Occupational health and safety
Occupational safety
Occupational safety and health
POLLUTION
Q1
Q3
RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT
Repair & maintenance
Research Brief
RETAILERS
Testing
THAILAND
Thailand, Chacoengsao Prov., Bangkok
WASTES 540120 > Environment, Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
Welding
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Summary:This research study was carried out in two automobile repair garages situated in the Bangkok metropolitan area, employing 47 and 12 workers respectively. Air sampling, biological monitoring (blood, urine), noise monitoring, and audiometry of workers were done to assess the occupational environment and its impact on the workers. The occupational hygiene survey was carried out to observe the working conditions of both garages. It was found that conditions at both sites have a strong negative impact on the health of workers. The lead in air of Garage I was 0.20 mg/m³ which is the same as the threshold limit value (TLV) for lead in air for a working environment. The level of lead in blood of four workers of each garage was above the exposed level. Protective equipment was not provided for the workers at either of the garages. The background noise level of Garage I ranges from 76-99 dB(A) and of Garage II from 70-115 dB(A). According to the audiometrie test, 12 workers of Garage I and eight workers of Garage II were occupationally exposed to noise and showed signs of noise-induced hearing loss. According to the otoscopie examination carried out, ears of 77% of Garage I workers and 89% of Garage II workers were abnormal. Ear drums of 14% of workers of Garage I and 20% of workers of Garage II complained about frequent earache. The workers were not provided with hearing protection equipment. According to the occupational hygiene survey carried out at both garages, 79% of workers of Garage land 70% of worker s of Garage II suffered from redness of the eyes (eye pain, gritty feeling), and 5% and 2% of workers of Garage I and Garage II respectively, complained about breathing difficulties. Control measures should be taken to minimize pollution due to dust, fumes, and noise which would reduce the health impacts and lead to a healthier workforce.
ISSN:0022-0892