Abstract
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 (n = 27) and metal contamination on workers' hands (n = 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 µg/m3) in all sites did not exceed the national standard levels of 200 ppm for toluene (1998) and 50, 12, and 5 µg/m3 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.
Highlights
Automotive refinishing involves the repair and repainting of automobile body parts
Ambient levels of the three metals have been reported in a study in auto body repair shops in Hat Yai City, Songkhla Province, ailand [6]. e metals can be released during sanding and welding of auto parts and paint spraying
Study Locations and Subjects. e study sites were automobile body repair shops located in a Sala District, Nakhon Si ammarat Province, ailand. ere were only three out of five registered automobile body repair shops in the district accepted to participate in the study
Summary
Automotive refinishing involves the repair and repainting of automobile body parts. Automotive refinishing shops are subjected to national and local regulations mainly due to emissions of toxic substances from paint application processes, which can be hazardous to human health and the environment. Chromium, and cadmium are toxic metals commonly used in automobile paints as components of paint pigments. Ambient levels of the three metals have been reported in a study in auto body repair shops in Hat Yai City, Songkhla Province, ailand [6]. Inhalation or ingestion of lead causes the same health effects on the brain, kidneys, and reproductive organs. Long-term ingestion of cadmium at a lower level can lead to an accumulation of cadmium in the kidneys and may cause kidney disease [13]. E present study aimed to evaluate occupational exposure to toluene and toxic metals, including lead, chromium, and cadmium in local automotive refinishing shops in Nakhon Si ammarat Province, Southern ailand. Information on the use of PPE and personal hygiene practices regarding personal prevention of metal exposure collected by using questionnaires was evaluated. e data obtained could be useful for establishing a national and regional policy to enforce occupational health surveillance programs to protect workers’ health
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