Exposure to Toluene and Factors Related to Quality of Working Life among Workers in a Shoes Manufacturing Factory in Bangkok
Keywords:
Toluene, quality of life, Bangkok, Work hourAbstract
The objectives of this cross sectional study were to evaluate toluene exposureand factors related to quality
of working life among shoe assembly workers in a shoe manufacturing factory in Bangkok. We sampled 160 workers.
Female (90.6%) and male (9.4%). The mean age of the study group was 29.63 years old. 28.8%of the study group
worked 12 hours per day, 100.0% worked 6 days per week. 63.1% always used respiratory protection; however,
most of them used paper filter masks (66.7%).Results of urine samples showed average + SD ofToluene in urine
after the work shift (n=160) 25.43± 32.574μg/l. and level of score of quality of working life was moderate level
(65.0%). However, the relationship between work hours per day (r=0.243, p= 0.049), toluene in urine (r=-0.172,
p=0.029), education level (p=0.003) and facewash per day (p=0.041) and quality of working life were significant at
level 0.05. The subjects of this study were shoe assembly workers; nevertheless, we should be concerned about
their exposure to toluene while working. Health promotion and protection programsshould be emphasized.
Respiration protective equipment should also be provided.
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