Occupational Asthma Reference
|
Arif AA, Hughes PC, Delclos GL,
Occupational exposures among domestic and industrial professional cleaners,
Occup Med,
2008;58:458-463,
|
|
|
Keywords: Cleaners; focus group; janitors; occupational asthmagens; USA, exposure,
Known Authors
If you would like to become a known author and have your picture displayed along with your papers then please get in touch from the contact page. Known authors can choose to receive emails when their papers receive comments.
Abstract
Background Despite being a large part of the workforce, cleaners remain a relatively understudied occupational group in the USA.
Aims The aims of this focus group study were to identify and characterize occupational exposures, symptoms and job tasks among domestic and industrial professional cleaners.
Methods Twelve focus group sessions were conducted in Lubbock, TX, and Houston, TX. Participants were asked about their job tasks, type of products they use to clean, bodily symptoms, job training and work environment.
Results Out of 99 attendees, 79 domestic and industrial cleaners participated actively in the focus group sessions. Three general themes emerged regarding cleaning professionals' work experiences: (i) job training, (ii) chemical exposure and use and (iii) competence. Domestic cleaners demonstrated significant skills deficit across each of these three themes as compared to industrial cleaners. Domestic cleaners reported more frequent exposure to respiratory irritants and sensitizers and also reported adverse respiratory symptoms as compared to industrial cleaners.
Conclusions The results from this qualitative study are consistent with earlier findings from quantitative studies placing domestic cleaners at risk of exposure to chemicals that are respiratory irritants and/or sensitizers.
Full Text
Full text of this reference not available
Please Log In or Register to add the full text to this reference
Comments
Please sign in or register to add your thoughts.