Document ID (ISN) | 108869 |
CIS number |
08-1396 |
ISSN - Serial title |
0303-7657 - Revista brasileira de saúde ocupacional |
Year |
2007 |
Convention or series no. |
|
Author(s) |
Costa K.N.S., Pinheiro I.O., Calazans G.T., Nascimento M.S. |
Title |
Assessing risks concerning the use of xylene in cytology and pathological anatomy laboratories |
Original title |
Avaliação dos riscos associados ao uso do xilol em laboratórios de anatomia patológica e citologia [in Portuguese] |
Bibliographic information |
July-Dec. 2007, Vol.32, No.116, p.50-56. Illus. 13 ref. |
Internet access |
http://www.fundacentro.gov.br/rbso/BancoAnexos/RBSO%20116%20Xilol.pdf [in Portuguese]
|
Abstract |
An evaluation of occupational exposure to xylene used by technicians in cytology and pathological anatomy was carried out in eight laboratories of a region of Brazil. Data were collected by means of self-administered questionnaires and interviews. Emphasis was given to information concerning occupational health and risk perception when using xylene and disposing waste. Results show that personal and collective protection equipment were neglected. Eighty percent of the technicians interviewed had noticed changes in health after they had been exposed to xylene for some years. However, only 6.6% of them went through regular monitoring of urinary methyl hippuric acid, a biomarker of xylene exposure. It was noticed that 76.6% of the people interviewed disposed waste directly into a sink, as there was no proper place for waste disposal. Findings highlight the need for workers' training with respect to occupational and environmental hazards. |
Descriptors (primary) |
laboratory work; xylene; cytology; hospitals; pathological anatomy; hazard evaluation |
Descriptors (secondary) |
safety consciousness; Brazil; hippuric acid; human factors; questionnaire survey; disobeying safety instructions; supply of personal protective equipment; exposure tests; determination in urine; safety and health training; waste disposal |
Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
Country / State or Province | Brazil |
Subject(s) |
Commerce, services, offices
|
Broad subject area(s) |
Chemical safety
|
Browse category(ies) |
Health care services Risk evaluation Aromatic hydrocarbons
|