Neurobehavioral Effects of Organic Solvents Exposure Among Wood Furniture Makers in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Background. Furniture making industries are small scale businesses that commonly use organic solvents. There has been minimal focus on the health effects of this chemical hazard on the nervous system among furniture makers in Nigeria. Objectives. The present study aimed to assess the association between organic solvents exposure and neurobehavioral status of furniture makers, using electronic technicians as a comparison group. Methods. A comparative cross-sectional study design was employed. A sample size of 108 was calculated for each group. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on the socio-demographic variables and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). A proforma was developed to collect neurobehavioral assessment data. A checklist was used to assess the furniture makers' workshops. Air was sampled from all of the workshops in both the study and comparison groups to determine the concentration of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs). Results. The use of PPE was poor in both the study and comparison groups, with no significant difference between them (34.4% and 37.7% respectively). Total volatile organic compound and formaldehyde (HCHO) concentrations were significantly higher at the furniture makers' workshops compared with electronic technicians (p<0.001) for both chemicals. The 8-hour time-weighted average of TVOC was also higher in the furniture makers' workshops (4.4±0.6 mg/m3) compared with the control group (0.3±0.3 mg/m3). The neurobehavioral symptoms score was significantly higher among the study group relative to the comparison group (p<0.001). There was a significant difference in the outcome of the auditory verbal learning test, total recall (p=0.005), and delayed recall (p=0.003). There was no significant association between solvent exposure index and findings from the simple reaction time test Conclusions. Poor compliance with the use of PPE among furniture makers may increase their exposure to organic solvents. There were more neurobehavioral changes in the furniture makers with a higher exposure index. Measures are needed to educate artisans about workrelated chemical hazards and ensure compliance with basic occupational safety and hygiene standards. Participant Consent. Obtained Ethics Approval. Ethics approval was obtained from the Health Research and Ethics Committee of the Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University (IPH/OAU/12/1049). Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Keywords

• organic solvents
• volatile organic compounds
• neurobehavioral effect
• furniture makers