Journal of School of Public Health and

---

Background and Aim: Exposure to hexavalent chromium in plating operations is associated with skin ulceration, contact dermatitis, respiratory tract irritation, cancer, and kidney damage. We investigated the possibility of using biological monitoring to assess exposure to hexavalent chromium in chrome-plating workers. We compared mean Cr6 concentrations in the breathing zone plus urine chromium, β2 microglobulin (B2M), and N-acetyl-B-D- glucosaminidase (NAG) at the end of the working shift. Then we assessed the correlation between exposure to hexavalent chromium and biological indicators.

Materials and Methods: This study involved 45 chrome platers (Cases) and 40 zinc platers (Controls) in Isfahan. Air and urine samples were collected at the end of the work shift. Measurement of Cr6 concentrations in the workers' breathing zone was performed using the NIOSH Methods 7600. Urine Cr levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, with a graphite furnace (Shimadsu, AA680). B2M and NAG were measured by Kits.

Results: Overall, geometric mean of hexavalent chromium concentrations in the breathing zone was significantly higher among chrome platers (14.577 μg/m3) compared to zinc platers (0.862 μg/m3, p<0.001). Moreover, the mean urine Cr concentrations were higher in chrome platers (9.198 vs. 1.811 μg / g creatinine, p<0.001). Similarly, there were significant differences between mean NAG in chrome platers (12.608IU/gr creatinine) and zinc platers (6.824 IU/g creatinine, p<0.001). Differences in B2M concentrations were not significant (p>0.05). A significant correlation was found between Cr6 concentrations in the chrome platers' breathing zone and their urinary chromium levels (r= 0.838, p<0.001). A similar association was found between concentrations of Cr6 and NAG in the breathing zone (r= 0.304, p<0.05).

Conclusion: As urinary B2M concentration did not change significantly, it may not be a sensitive indicator in evaluating exposure to hexavalent chromium. There were significant differences between mean urinary Cr and NAG concentrations in the two groups. The significant correlations between Cr and NAG concentrations indicate that these markers may be suitable indicators of exposure to hexavalent chromium. Our results indicate that NAG is an early indicator of renal dysfunction in chrome platers.

---

Background and Aim: Considering the acute and chronic effects of organic solvents to which vehicle painters are exposed for long periods of time, their evaluation and control is crucial for protection of health of the employees. This study aimed to find the most influential factors on exposure to, and spreading pollution with, benzene, toluene, xylem, and etylebenzene (BTEX) in order to be able to choose the best control measures.
Materials and Methods: In a motor-vehicle company the vehicle painting process was studied in detail and the solvents used in paints and in spreading organic solvent stations were identified. Based on the types and concentrations of the variables being studied, using the NIOSH method a total of 240 air samples were collected (5 samples for each variable and the respective controls) and analyzed. The SPSS version 11.5 was used for data analysis, the statistical tests being multi-regression and analysis of variance.
Results: Exposure to benzene in all occupational tasks, as well as to toluene in top coating and undercoating stations exceeded, while exposure to etylebenzene and xylene did not reach, the respective permitted exposure limits (p<0.05). The most effective factors on exposure to all the four solvents were, in order of effectiveness, occupational task, gun type, and the type of paint sued (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The effects of the variables studies – occupational task, gun and paint types – on exposure to BTEX relate to differences in occupational task work load, the type of gun used, and the paint organic solvent formulation. The reason for the potentially high exposure to benzene is its presence as an impurity in the paint solvents. Thus, it is highly recommended that in the process of control and evaluation special attention be paid to these factors.

---

Background and Aim: Safety climate is a psychological phenomenon and a sub-component of safety culture, which is usually reflected in the shared workforce's perceptions about the state of safety at any particular time. It can provide an indication of the priority of safety in an organization with regard to other priorities such as production or quality. The objective of this study was to assess the safety climate profile in a steel manufacturing plant in Iran and using the results to improve the level of safety.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the UK Loughborough University Safety Climate Assessment Toolkit was used to assess the safety climate in a steel-manufacturing industry in Iran. Information was collected through interviews and questionnaires, focus group discussions, and direct observations in the filed. Safety climate scores were calculated in 17 themes.

Results: A graphic representation of the safety climate scores obtained showed that safety climate in the company is at the medium level (4.80 ± 2). The highest and lowest scores were for dimensions of personal priority and need for safety (8.6± 0.8) and accidents and incidents (1±0.00). A non-significant correlation was found between worker's education and work experience on the one hand and their attitude towards safety on the other hand (p>0.05). Both management commitment and personal priority were associated with the workers' age (p= 0.03 and 0.02, respectively), while work environment was associated only with employment status (p = 0.04). 

Conclusion: Safety climate assessment can be a proactive safety performance indicator used to improve the level of safety in an organisation.