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Home > Toxicological Evaluation of Volatile Compounds in Photocopy/ Toner Refilling Workers

Toxicological Evaluation of Volatile Compounds in Photocopy/ Toner Refilling Workers

Thesis Info

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Author

Javed, Houda

Program

PhD

Institute

Lahore College for Women University

City

Lahore

Province

Punjab

Country

Pakistan

Thesis Completing Year

2019

Thesis Completion Status

Completed

Subject

Environmental Sciences

Language

English

Link

http://prr.hec.gov.pk/jspui/bitstream/123456789/11988/1/Houda%20Javed%20envir%20sci%202019%20lcwu%20lhr%20prr.pdf

Added

2021-02-17 19:49:13

Modified

2024-03-24 20:25:49

ARI ID

1676725148574

Similar


Electronic equipments are considered to be indispensable commodities globally. Photocopiers are notable initiator of indoor air pollution ascribable to emissions in terms of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Ozone and Ultrafine particles. Assorted studies inter-related photocopying and printing operations with genotoxic potential, immunological and pulmonary illnesses. In the work shift, photocopying operators are exposed to substantial chemical compounds. The current prevalence of health concerns and the effects of chemical exposure in employees of photocopying centers are still unknown in Pakistani population. The current study was aimed to contemplate the photocopying work environment and to explore the associated health effects. The real time monitoring of TVOCs and Ozone was performed to interpret the spatial and temporal variability in the indoor air quality of photocopying centers (n=200) of Lahore, Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was designed using representative employees from photocopying centers (n=100) compared to a Control group (n=100) to evaluate the health issues associated with the exposure. The concentrations of specific VOCs i.e., Benzene, Toluene and Styrene were assessed in both the study groups using HPLC. Moreover, the hematological parameters, total protein content and lipid peroxidation level as indicator of oxidative stress were discerned. The Pulmonary Function Testing was performed using Spirometry. The genotoxic potential of the chemicals was investigated by the DNA damage and cell death indicators in the buccal mucosal cells.In photocopying centers, the average concentration for TVOC and Ozone were detected to be 0.683 mg/m3 and 161.59 µg/m3 respectively. The TVOC concentration existed to be in multifactorial or discomfort zone. The baseline characteristics in terms of age, weight and height etc of both the study groups i.e. Experimental and Control group were not significantly different. The concentrations of Benzene, Toluene and Styrene were found to be significantly different between Experimental and Control Groups. Most of the hematological parameters were found to be significantly different between Experimental and Control groups except for PLT, LYM#, MXD#, PDW and P-LCR. The biochemical parameters in terms of Total Protein content, Albumin and Globulin were computed to be significantly different between Experimental and Control groups. The plasma LPO level was assessed to be significantly higher in Experimental group (2.25+0.60 µM/L) as compared to the Control group (1.19+0.26 µM/L). Findings showed that the plasma LPO was positively correlated with exposure duration (years) in Experimental group (R 0.729) with high statistical significance (p<0.001). The frequencies of DNA damage and Cell death indices viz., MN, BN, KR and KL were observed to be significantly different between Experimental and Control groups. The DNA damage and cell death indices were found to be positively correlated with the exposure duration. The values were found to be statistically significant for MN (R 0.285) and BN (R 0.250). The PFT indices were computed to be not significantly different between the study groups except for %PRED FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio and FEF75. In Experimental study group, FVC, %PRED FVC and FEV1 were observed to be negatively correlated with the exposure duration (years). The plasma LPO was computed to be negatively correlated with %PRED FVC and %PRED FEV1. The findings of the current study reflected the indoor air quality of the photocopying centers in Lahore, Pakistan. Meanwhile, it highlighted the physical ailments and health issues that may be encountered in response to the emissions in the workplace. In order to avoid occupational health hazards, it is highly recommended to ensure the existence of healthy and ecofriendly workplace. The recommendations proposed in this study will potentially contribute towards public health awareness.
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