Health Survey of Workers Exposed to Mixed Solvent and Ergonomic Hazards in Footwear and Equipment Factory Workers in Thailand

• Published in: The Annals of occupational hygiene Vol. 52; no. 3; pp. 195 - 205
• Main Authors: Todd, Lori, Puangthongthub, Sitthichok Tony, Mottus, Kathleen, Mihlan, Gary, Wing, Steven
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.04.2008
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; equipment factories; Ergonomics; exposure assessment; Female; footwear factories; Health Surveys; Humans; isocyanates; Male; Medical sciences; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational Diseases - etiology; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Occupational Exposure - analysis; Prevalence; questionnaires; Shoes; Solvents; Solvents - analysis; Solvents - toxicity; Thailand - epidemiology; Toxicology; Thailand; Asia; footwear factories; questionnaires; exposure assessment; ergonomics; isocyanates; equipment factories; Human; Isocyanates; Evaluation; Questionnaire; Health; Toxicity; Industrial plant; Shoe; Occupational exposure; Organic solvent; Occupational accident; Survey; Mixed solvent; Ergonomics; Risk factor; Worker; Manufacturing; Occupational medicine
• ISSN: 0003-4878; 1475-3162; 1475-3162
• DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/men003

A cross-sectional health study was performed at four footwear and one equipment factory in Thailand to evaluate the prevalence of chemical- and ergonomic-related symptoms in Thai factory workers and to investigate associations between these symptoms and exposures to organic solvents, isocyanates and ergonomic risks. A 10-page health questionnaire was administered to 1784 workers across the four footwear and equipment factories. A total of 1675 questionnaires were returned, yielding a 94% response rate. The questionnaires asked about age, gender, use of chemicals, use of personal protective equipment and health outcomes. Without exception, the percentages of workers reporting symptoms after being hired were higher than those reporting symptoms before being hired for all the factories. The highest symptom percentages were related to ergonomic stressors. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted prevalence odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. This study showed that adverse health effects experienced by footwear and equipment factory workers are associated with occupational exposures to chemicals (volatile organic solvents and water-based adhesives) and ergonomic hazards.