Exposición a sustancias químicas y enfermedades respiratorias en trabajadores del área de lavandería de un hospital

Abstract

Abstract: Obejectives: To identify the respiratory symptoms and determine the chemical risk due to exposure to chemical substances used as disinfectant products in the workers of the laundry area of a Quito hospital, in order to propose a protocol of toxicovigilance for exposure to chemical substances. Method: Quantitative, cross-sectional and descriptive cohort study, developed during the period from April to August 2021 in a laundry of a Quito hospital, to 26 workers. A validated survey, abbreviated ERCHS III diagnostic questionnaires and allergic rhinitis for respiratory symptoms were applied. COSHH Essentials method and UNE EN-689 Standard were applied for chemical risk assessment. Results: Cough was the most frequent respiratory symptom (46.15%), the abbreviated ERCHS III test was positive (7.62%) and the diagnostic test for allergic rhinitis also reported positivity (46.15%). Sodium hypochlorite at 5% obtained a type C danger and potential risk level 3, determining overexposure to chemical risk in machine operators according to the UNE EN-689 Standard. Conclusions: Workers in the laundry area are exposed to an unacceptable chemical risk due to exposure to 5% sodium hypochlorite, for which it should be considered to improve ventilation, since there are cases of allergic rhinitis and asthma, meriting to implement a system of toxicovigilance.