engleski

Adverse health effects in boatbuilding workers

In response to boatbuilding workers’ acute health complaints a medical survey was carried out in 64 laminators (L) and in 72 tool maintaining workers (M). The objectives of the study were to determine whether the boatbuilders have more health complaints and respiratory disorders than referents from general island population and to obtain information on the relation of these disorders to styrene exposure. Referents were selected on the basis of age, gender, seizure and smoking habit. According to measurements of exposure, workers who were spraying and laminating manually can be exposed to high levels of airborne styrene (TWA ranged from 120 to 435 mg m-3; MAC 215), while concentrations of acetone and respiratory dust were in normal range. Data on health complaints, work history and smoking habits were collected by questionnaire and physical examination. Spirometry was performed on Vicatest-5, Mijnhardt. The frequency of work-related cough (33%L:21%M) and chest pain (25%:27%) was increased in both groups of boatbuilders in relation to referents. Repeated headache (31%L:5%M), skin disorders (32%L:8%M) and gastrointestinal troubles (26%L:14%M) were more common in laminators than in workers in maintenance. Measures of cumulative styrene exposures were associated with reduction of forced vital capacity. The laminators, although only 24% smokers, had markedly decreased ventilatory volumes in relation to maintaining group (49% smokers) and referents. Our data suggest that work exposure may contribute to the observed health complaints in boatbuilders and that there is an association between styrene exposure and pulmonary restriction in examined workers. This exposure can be reduced by use of ventilation, adequately designed workplace, and promotion of safe working habits.

health effects; solvents; boatbuilding; styrene

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