Chemical exposure in occupational settings and related health risks: A neglected area of research in Pakistan

Kamal, Anila; Malik, Riffat Naseem; Fatima, Noreen; Rashid, Audil

doi:10.1016/j.etap.2012.02.009

Cited by 31 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 89 publications

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“…The two-to three-ring PAHs rapidly accumulate in the used engine oils, in high concentration (Wang et al 1999). PAH exposure at auto-mechanics is very high, due to frequent handling of petroleum products and massive use of used gasoline engine oil (UGEO) (Kamal et al 2011, Kamal et al 2012). The PAH fraction in fresh oil is very small (Granella and Clonfero 1991), but UGEO contains 70 % PAHs, a major fraction of which are those containing more than three rings (Kamal et al 2012;; Table 2).…”

Section: Petrogenic Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of PAH exposure from the combustion of biomass fuel and their less surveyed effect on the blood parameters

Kamal

Cincinelli

Martellini

et al. 2014

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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114

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Many epidemiological studies from all over the world have reported that populations of rural and urban environments differ in their health issues due to the differences in the countrywide pollution pattern. In developing countries, various occupational cohorts and subsections of the population in urban and rural areas are routinely exposed to several environmentally widespread contaminants. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of over hundred different compounds and have ubiquitous presence in rural and urban environments. Smoke from the combustion of biomass fuel contains a high concentration of carcinogenic PAHs, which are related with several human morbidities. The sources and types of biomass fuel are diverse and wide in distribution. Limited numbers of literature reports have focused the significant impact of PAHs on several components of blood, both in human and wildlife. The toxicity of PAHs to rapidly dividing cells (e.g., bone marrow cells) and other tissues is largely attributed to their reactive oxygenated metabolites, potential of causing oxidative stress, and the adducts of their metabolites with DNA. This review aims to encompass the blood-related effects of PAHs and associated human health risks-an aspect that needs further research-on the population of developing countries of the world in particular.

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Section: Petrogenic Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of PAH exposure from the combustion of biomass fuel and their less surveyed effect on the blood parameters

Kamal

Cincinelli

Martellini

et al. 2014

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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114

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“…Automobile manufacturing, repair stations, spray painting and other related workplaces are examples of automobilerelated occupations in Pakistan where workers face exposure to organic solvents to a great extent [1][2][3]. Among many environmental sources, benzene mostly arises from fuel vapors and gasoline which are used for degreasing and diluents at automobile mechanic work areas [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Benzene exposure among auto-repair workers from workplace ambience: A pioneer study from Pakistan

Kamal

Rashid

2014

IJOMEH

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Objectives: In Pakistan, the reports on benzene exposure among workers in chemical industries are almost non-existing due to limited research work in the field of exposure science. This study aimed to investigate such exposure in a widely adopted occupation in Rawalpindi city. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 blood samples (N = 20/group) of mechanics (MCs), spray painters (PNs) and control participants (CN) were analyzed. The socio-economic and demographic information of workers and that of workplaces was documented using a short questionnaire. Results: We identified that the workers in spray-painting occupation are highly at risk of benzene exposure. The results showed that PNs were more at risk of exposure to benzene than MCs, and this exposure was significantly correlated with long working hours (r = 0.68, p < 0.001). Moreover, there are several limitations in workplace setups, which need to be addressed in order to mitigate workers health risk in this occupation. In addition to the reckless use of chemicals, other identified predictors of exposure included active and passive smoking, poor workplace hygiene and substandard ventilation. Conclusions: To mitigate workplace exposure, it is necessary to reduce wor king hours and encourage regular use of self-protective equipments and adoption of proper hygiene in chemical workplaces.

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“…In addition, several studies reveal that OHS issues such as long working hours, low awareness on OHS, lack of safety instruments, inadequate OHS training, and ineffective monitoring are common concerns in many manufacturing sites in Pakistan (e.g., Kamal, Malik, Fatima, & Rashid, 2012;Malik, Maan, Pasha, Akhtar, & Ali, 2010;Munir, Ashraf, Nasir, Hensel, & Iqbal, 2012;Pasha & Liesivuori, 2003). However, there is a growing need for Pakistani industries to improve the status of OHS to meet the emerging challenges of globalization and attain a competitive position in the international market.…”

Section: State Of Csr In Pakistanmentioning

confidence: 99%

Corporate Social Responsibility in Pakistan: Current Trends and Future Directions

Sajjad¹,

Eweje²

2014

Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability: Emerging Trends in Developing Economies

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If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services. ABSTRACTPurpose À The purpose of this chapter is to provide a practical review of topical developments in corporate social responsibility (CSR) perspective within Pakistani business environment.Methodology/approach À To investigate the concept of CSR in Pakistan, this chapter primarily draws on secondary sources including extant literature on CSR, government reports, publications of international agencies, industry reports, companies' CSR/sustainability reports, and newspaper articles.Findings À The findings of this research reveal that the concept of CSR is relatively underdeveloped in Pakistan. There is a general perception among business practitioners in Pakistan that CSR relates to altruism or philanthropic activities. However, only few large local companies and multinational enterprises hold a well-defined CSR policy. Small and Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability: Emerging Trends in Developing Economies Critical Studies on Corporate Responsibility, Governance and Sustainability, Volume 8, 163À187

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Chemical exposure in occupational settings and related health risks: A neglected area of research in Pakistan

Cited by 31 publications

References 89 publications

A review of PAH exposure from the combustion of biomass fuel and their less surveyed effect on the blood parameters

A review of PAH exposure from the combustion of biomass fuel and their less surveyed effect on the blood parameters

Benzene exposure among auto-repair workers from workplace ambience: A pioneer study from Pakistan

Corporate Social Responsibility in Pakistan: Current Trends and Future Directions

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