Work-related symptoms in sewage treatment workers.
The aim of this study was to investigate health symptoms in sewage treatment workers. A health questionnaire was distributed among 147 sewage treatment workers. Correlating symptoms were clustered using principal component analysis and the association with self-reported exposure was assessed by calculating prevalence odds ratios (OR). Endotoxin was measured in two treatment plants. Personal endotoxin exposure was low (<10 Endotoxin Units/m(3)). Factor analysis of 29 symptoms resulted in four clusters of highly correlating symptoms: 'flu-like symptoms'; 'higher airway symptoms'; 'lower airway symptoms'; and 'neurological symptoms'. These clusters were positively associated with working with sewage, but only significant for 'flu- like symptoms' (OR=5.0; 95%CI=1.4-17.6; p<0.05) and 'neurological symptoms' (OR=4.2; 95%CI=1.5-11.7; p<0.01). Chemical exposure was associated with 'neurological symptoms' (OR=8.4; 95%CI=1.1-65.7; p<0.05). The use of daily washed working clothes was negatively associated with 'flu-like symptoms' (OR=0.3; 95%CI=0.1-0.6; p<0.01). In conclusion, sewage treatment workers develop a large variety of work-related symptoms that are not likely caused by endotoxin exposure only. Good hygienic practice at the workplace may prevent some of these symptoms
Douwes
J
J
Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS), Utrecht University, PO Box 80176, 3508 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.douwes@iras.uu.nl
Mannetje
A
A
Heederik
D
D
D000328:Adult; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000032:analysis; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012722:Sewage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012907:Smoking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004731:Endotoxins; D012722:Sewage