Evaluación de la exposición ocupacional de cr en industrias de cromado en Valencia, Venezuela

Abstract

Twenty three (23) workers were studied in 2 plating industries: hard-surface plating (A); n=20 and decorative plating (B); n=3, to characterize potential health effects due to Chromium (Cr) exposure. A questionnaire was designed to collect personal data, health information, work activities and life-styles. Personal Cr+6-Air and biological monitoring of Initial and Final Cr in Urine (U-Cr), were conducted. Results show that A had workers had higher mean of Cr+6-Air than B, but the difference was no statistically significant which was not expected due to the type of process. The average concentration of U-Cr Initial and Final, on workers with “Direct” exposure (15 workers) was significantly higher (p=0,005; y p =0,008 respectively) to the workers with “Indirect” exposure (8 workers) as it was expected. At “A”, the mean concentration of Initial U-Cr in chroming workers (13,98 ± 8,78 ug/g Ct), was significantly higher (p=0,012) to the one obtained with workers of the Administrative area (2,53 ± 1,7 ug/g Ct). Maintaining mechanics (MM) mean (13 ± 5,57 ug/g Ct) was significantly higher to the level obtained from Operator (O) (6,04 ± 1,78 ug/g ct) and Administrative area workers (2,53 ± 1,7 ug/g ct), (p=0,047 y p=0,004 respectively). This can be explained because MM and O are exposed “directly” working very near to the chromium piles. Main symptoms reported were dermal (65,2%) and respiratory (30,4%), which are the most vulnerable systems to Cr. The association of biological and environmental monitoring, show a direct correlation (r =0.373), and significant (p=0,04), however, the Cr+6-Air level was not able to explain with confidence, the variability in U-Cr concentrations. It is recommended a new study with a more frequent sampling during the day and more extended in time.