Occupational exposure and health risks of volatile organic compounds of hotel housekeepers: Field measurements of exposure and health risks

Abstract

Hotel housekeepers represent a large, low‐income, predominantly minority, and high‐risk workforce. Little is known about their exposure to chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This study evaluates VOC exposures of housekeepers, sources and factors affecting VOC levels, and provides preliminary estimates of VOC‐related health risks. We utilized indoor and personal sampling at two hotels, assessed ventilation, and characterized the VOC composition of cleaning agents. Personal sampling of hotel staff showed a total target VOC concentration of 57 ± 36 µg/m3 (mean ± SD), about twice that of indoor samples. VOCs of greatest health significance included chloroform and formaldehyde. Several workers had exposure to alkanes that could cause non‐cancer effects. VOC levels were negatively correlated with estimated air change rates. The composition and concentrations of the tested products and air samples helped identify possible emission sources, which included building sources (for formaldehyde), disinfection by‐products in the laundry room, and cleaning products. VOC levels and the derived health risks in this study were at the lower range found in the US buildings. The excess lifetime cancer risk (average of 4.1 × 10−5) still indicates a need to lower exposure by reducing or removing toxic constituents, especially formaldehyde, or by increasing ventilation rates.

A wearable technology solution and research agenda for housekeeper safety and health

“…Exposed to harmful chemicals, such as ammonia and solvents in cleaning products, hotel housekeepers suffer from prolonged contact with these chemical agents, which often intensify dermatitis, respiratory diseases and other health conditions (Hsieh et al, 2016;Lin et al, 2020). Employees who work with cleaning chemicals are also susceptible to allergic reactions and skin rashes from long and constant use of latex gloves (Kline et al, 2014).…”

Coexistence with COVID-19: The Auxiliary Role of Occupational Health Measures in Hotel Activity Recovery

“…Egypt is one of the first countries to adopt proactive measures to cope COVID-19. As such, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (EMTA) launched a consciousness campaign titled "Stay at home, be safe," in solidarity with World Health Organization guidelines on the novel virus hazards to physical health (Lin et al, 2021). Otherwise, the gravity of this pandemic reached the Egyptian hotel industry and led to a substantial share of the economic losses in this massive industry (Gössling et al, 2020).…”

“…Furthermore, the need for wellventilated insulation rooms is greater for suspects (WHO, 2020b). Furthermore, after sneezing, throw used tissues into ‫والفنادق‬ ‫السياحة‬ ‫كلية‬ ‫مجلة‬ -‫عدد‬ 01 -‫ديسمبر‬ 0100 sealed bins and ensure ventilation of various corridors as preventive measures (Belingheri et al, 2020;Lin et al, 2021). Zhang et al ( 2020) stressed the necessity of wearing leather gloves to reduce the chances of the virus staying on the surface of the hands, not only for food-handlers but also for all hotel employees.…”

“…Thence, most countries imposed a partial embargo as an interim precaution to confront this horrifying crisis (Combs, 2020). This embargo on many prestigious industries has resulted in ‫والفنادق‬ ‫السياحة‬ ‫كلية‬ ‫مجلة‬ -‫عدد‬ 01 -‫ديسمبر‬ 0100 grave risks (Lin et al, 2021). Most hospitals were operating efficiently until late 2019, but their current carrying capacity did not allow for a myriad of these viruses' injuries.…”

Spatial Uncertainty in Modeling Inhalation Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds in Response to the Application of Consumer Spray Products

“…Depending on the conditions at which the consumer spray products are used, this simplifying assumption often fails to predict the exposure concentration [ 13 ]. For example, a study on hotel housekeepers attached with personal samplers reported nearly double the amount of VOC exposure compared to that calculated based on the concentration of the room assuming complex mixing [ 14 ]. This deviation could be explained by the heterogeneity of the ambient concentration during the use of consumer products.…”