Department of Environmental Health and Technology, School of Public Health, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80160, Thailand.
J Environ Public Health. 2021 Apr 16;2021:8875666. doi: 10.1155/2021/8875666. eCollection 2021.
Chemical contamination and safe work practices of workers in automotive refinishing shops have been extensively studied in industrialized countries, but the evidence in developing countries is limited. This study aimed to evaluate chemical contamination and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) of workers in local small-scale automotive refinishing shops in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. Airborne toluene and heavy metals, i.e., lead, chromium, and cadmium, were measured in 3 automotive refinishing shops. Toluene exposure assessed by urinary hippuric acid ( = 27) and metal contamination on workers' hands ( = 24) were also determined. Information on the use of PPE and personal hygiene practices of the workers was collected by questionnaires. Average ambient levels of toluene (0.04-18.26 ppm) and the metals (Pb: ND-26.34, Cr: 0.02-4.46, and Cd: ND-1.44 g/m) in all sites did not exceed the national standard levels of 200 ppm for toluene (1998) and 50, 12, and 5 g/m for Pb, Cr, and Cd, respectively (2017). The mean ambient levels of these chemicals were highest in paint spray booths followed by nonpainting areas and office rooms, respectively. The highest level of urinary hippuric acid (1.13 g/g creatinine) was found in a painter but did not exceed the recommended biological exposure index of 1.6 g/g creatinine (2014). In contrast, the highest levels of lead and chromium detected on the workers' hands were found in body repair technicians. Direct hand contact without using gloves was suggested as a primary cause of metal contamination.
汽车修补车间工人的化学污染和安全工作实践在工业化国家得到了广泛研究，但发展中国家的证据有限。本研究旨在评估泰国那空是塔玛叻府当地小型汽车修补车间工人的化学污染和个人防护设备（PPE）的使用情况。在 3 家汽车修补车间测量了空气中的甲苯和重金属，即铅、铬和镉。通过尿马尿酸（ = 27）和工人手上的金属污染（ = 24）评估甲苯暴露情况。还通过问卷调查收集了工人使用 PPE 和个人卫生习惯的信息。所有地点的甲苯（0.04-18.26 ppm）和金属（Pb：ND-26.34、Cr：0.02-4.46 和 Cd：ND-1.44 g/m）的平均环境水平均未超过国家 200 ppm 甲苯（1998 年）和 50、12 和 5 g/m 的 Pb、Cr 和 Cd 标准水平（2017 年）。这些化学物质的平均环境水平在喷漆间最高，其次是非喷漆区和办公室。在一名油漆工中发现最高水平的尿马尿酸（1.13 g/g 肌酐），但未超过推荐的生物暴露指数 1.6 g/g 肌酐（2014 年）。相比之下，在车身修理技师的手上检测到的铅和铬含量最高。建议直接接触手而不戴手套是金属污染的主要原因。
