The effects of occupational chemical exposure on respiratory health among hairdressers in Pakistan

Abstract

The work environment in a hair saloon is a continuous threat to the respiratory health of hairdressers. Therefore, we assessed the status of respiratory symptoms and pulmonary functions of hairdressers in the present study. The subjects consisted of 90 female hairdressers and 90 matched controls. Symptoms were recorded through an adapted questionnaire. Anthropometric data such as age and BMI were noted. Pulmonary function tests were performed using a portable spirometer. Work-related risk factors such as exposure duration, work intensity, work area size, and ventilation, were recorded in hair saloons. Mann-Whitney test and Spearman’s rank correlation were applied to find associations between pulmonary functions and work-related risk factors. The criterion for statistical significance was a two-tailed P-value ≤ 0.05. Among the hairdressers, shortness of breath was at 32%, pharynx irritation at 31%, rhinal irritation at 29%, cough at 28%, ocular irritation at 21%, wheezing at 12%, and phlegm production at 9% higher levels than in the control group. FEV1% (p =.000) and FVC% (p =.000) were reduced in hairdressers compared to controls. Work duration and work intensity degraded the pulmonary functions, while ventilation showed a positive correlation. Precautionary measures adopted by the hairdressers were insufficient. Implementation of safety improvements, including appropriate ventilation systems, are recommended.

Keywords

• pulmonary function tests
• hairdressers
• spirometry
• lung
• risk factors
• respiratory health