Cleaning-Chemical Exposures and Respiratory, Dermatological and Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Custodians Using Traditional and Green Cleaners

Details

• Personal Author:
  Cavallari J ; Cherniack, Martin G. ; Garza J ; Meyer, J. D. ; Morse T ; Schenck P ; Simcox NJ ; Wakai S
• Description:
  Objectives: We sought to investigate the relationships between cleaning chemicals and respiratory, dermatological and musculoskeletal symptoms among custodians transitioning from traditional to green cleaners. Methods: University-employed custodians completed a questionnaire to assess cleaning chemical use and health symptoms. An exposure index was developed to quantify custodians' relative intensity of exposure to cleaning chemicals in total, and to traditional or environmentally preferable or 'green' chemicals. Associations between health outcomes and total, traditional, and green-cleaning chemical intensity were investigated in separate models using logistic regression controlling for age, gender, and smoking status. Results: A total of 329 custodians from three universities and one university health center completed questionnaires. Health symptoms within the last month included dermatitis (26% of respondents), lower respiratory complaints (30%), upper respiratory complaints (43%), pain or discomfort in back (32%) and pain or discomfort in neck, shoulders or arms (44%). Increased total exposure was associated with increased odds of pain or discomfort in the neck, shoulder, arms, or hands (p=0.03). Increased traditional-chemical exposure was associated with increased odds of upper respiratory symptoms (p=0.03) and neck, shoulder, arms, or hand pain (p<0.01). There was no association between increasing green-cleaning chemical exposure and health symptoms. Conclusion: Custodian musculoskeletal symptoms follow a dose-related pattern with increasing risk for symptoms related to increased total cleaning-chemical exposure. Custodian upper respiratory symptoms were associated with traditional cleaning chemical use only. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Dermatitis Hazardous Substances Musculoskeletal Diseases Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Respiratory System Safety Workplace
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Chemical Exposures & Prevention Clean-up Hazards Cleaning Compounds Custodians Health Effects MSD Musculoskeletal Disorders Occupational Exposure Occupational Health And Safety Respiratory Irritants Workplace Studies

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• Publisher:
  American Public Health Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Proceedings
• Place as Subject:
  Connecticut ; New York ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 2
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20055036
• Citation:
  APHA 142nd Annual Meeting and Exposition, November 15-19, 2014, New Orleans, Louisiana. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association, 2014 Nov; :303954
• Email:
  garza@uchc.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2015
• Performing Organization:
  University of Connecticut Schools of Medicine, Farmington
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20090901
• Source Full Name:
  APHA 142nd Annual Meeting and Exposition, November 15-19, 2014, New Orleans, Louisiana
• End Date:
  20140831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:1a74357c30c8148ff52963ecc299b89b4a58f1c9f8f3ded87e14356d2d7c9450deb35788e1026ec2c8a8c2a828957c42e331d37f476bdcab3db7dc8d567ebaad
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/217430/cdc_217430_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 138.97 KB ]