Occupational Inhalation Exposures Reported to Ramathibodi Poison Center
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Abstract
This is a retrospective descriptive study of occupational inhalation exposures reported to Ramathibodi Poison Center during 2017 - 2021. The main objective was to describe the number of patients, characteristic of patients, substances, exposure characteristics, and outcome of occupational inhalation exposures reported to Ramathibodi Poison Center.
There were 662 cases which included agricultural work (39.7%), factory work (27.9%), other types of work (23.7%), and unspecified work (8.6%). Common scenario included exposure during spraying (25.5%), exposure during mixing (14.2%), gas leaking incidence (12.9%), and working in confined space (9.2%). It was reported that 72.8% were not wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Commonly reported substances were chlorine, sodium hypochlorite, ammonia, paraquat, carbamate, and hydrogen sulfide.
Training on the safe use of chemicals and equipment related to chemicals should be provided. It is also important to organize an encouraging campaign and monitor appropriate PPE use for workers.
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