Open AccessOccupational Exposure to Metalworking Fluid and the Effect on Health Symptoms—An Intervention Study
Author(s) -
Erik Thornéus,
Pål Graff,
IngLiss Bryngelsson,
Eva Nordenberg,
Bijar Ghafouri,
Henrik Johansson,
Louise Fornander
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of occupational and environmental medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.712
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1536-5948
pISSN - 1076-2752
DOI - 10.1097/jom.0000000000002327
Subject(s) - medicine , odds ratio , confidence interval , environmental health , logistic regression , occupational medicine , irritation , eye irritation , throat , nose , occupational exposure , surgery , immunology
Exposure to metalworking fluid has been shown to cause health problems among workers. The aim of this study was to compare health outcomes and levels of exposure among workers exposed to metalworking fluid before and after the implementation of preventive measures. The frequencies of self-reported symptoms, as well as the concentrations of measured substances were lower after the implementation of preventive measures. Logistic regression showed statistically significant differences in the report of irritations, a stuffy or runny nose, eye irritation, a hoarse or dry throat, and a cough with odds ratios of 0.31 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21 to 0.47), 0.12 (95% CI 0.05 to 0.29), 0.13 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.28), and 0.24 (95% CI 0.12 to 0.46), respectively. This confirms the efficiency of the performed intervention and highlights the importance of eliminating the recirculation of contaminated air.