O2D.3 Protective effects of PPE use and good workplace hygiene practices against symptoms of neurotoxicity in collision repair workers

Abstract

ObjectivesWe have recently shown that solvent-exposed collision repair workers (spray painters and panel beaters) in New Zealand are at an increased risk of both self-reported and objectively assessed neurobehavioural effects, indicating a need for more effective exposure controls. This study assessed the association between personal protective equipment (PPE) use and workplace hygiene and symptoms of neurotoxicity in vehicle spray painters.MethodsExposure controls including PPE-use and workplace hygiene practices and symptoms of neurotoxicity were assessed in 267 vehicle repair spray painters. Symptoms were assessed using the EUROQUEST questionnaire.ResultsFrequent respirator and glove use was inversely associated with symptoms of neurotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05 for trend). The strongest protective effect was found for consistent glove use (OR 0.1and 0.2, p<0.01, for reporting ≥10 and≥5 symptoms, respectively). A dose-response trend (p<0.05) was also observed when combining frequency of respirator and glove use, with an overall reduction in risk of 90% (OR 0.1 for reporting ≥10 and≥5 symptoms, p<0.01) for those who consistently used both. Protective effects were most pronounced for psychosomatic (p<0.05 for trend, for combined PPE use), mood (p<0.05) and memory and concentration symptoms combined (p<0.05), with reductions in risk of >80%. Poor hygiene workplace practices, e.g. solvent exposure to multiple body parts were associated with an increased risk of symptoms, but this was not statistically significant. When using a general workplace hygiene score derived from a combination of PPE-use and (good) workplace hygiene an inverse dose-response trend was observed for reporting ≥5 (p<0.01) and ≥10 symptoms (p<0.01).ConclusionsThis study has shown that PPE-use and good workplace hygiene are associated with a strongly reduced risk of symptoms of neurotoxicity in solvent-exposed vehicle spray painters. Glove use was most protective, suggesting dermal exposures may be of particular importance in the development of symptoms.