Nature Environment and Pollution Technology

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

Xerox Workers: Hidden Health Hazards in Visakhapatnam


Affiliations
1 Department of Environmental Studies, GITAM Institute of Science, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam-530 045, A.P., India
2 Rajahmundry, A. P., India
3 Dr. Reddy's Laboratory, Pydibhimavaram, Visakhapatnam, A.P., India
 

A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in coastal zone of Visakhapatnam among 170 workers in 41 randomly selected Xerox (photostat) shops. The aim was to evaluate the relations between work with Xerox equipment and the occurrence of eye, nasopharyngeal, skin and general symptoms (often denoted as sick building syndrome (SBS), chronic respiratory symptoms, and respiratory infections. Work with self-copying paper was significantly related to weekly work-related eye, nasopharyngeal and skin symptoms, headache and lethargy, as well as to the occurrence of wheezing, cough, mucus production, sinusitis, and acute bronchitis. Xeroxing was related to nasal irritation, and video display terminal work to eye symptoms, headache, and lethargy.

Keywords

Xerox Workers, Health Hazards, Sick Building Syndrome.
User
Notifications
Font Size


Abstract Views: 187

PDF Views: 2




  • Xerox Workers: Hidden Health Hazards in Visakhapatnam

Abstract Views: 187  |  PDF Views: 2

Authors

V. Saritha
Department of Environmental Studies, GITAM Institute of Science, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam-530 045, A.P., India
Ch. Bhavannarayana
Rajahmundry, A. P., India
K. Anil Kumar
Dr. Reddy's Laboratory, Pydibhimavaram, Visakhapatnam, A.P., India
V. S. Jyothi
Department of Environmental Studies, GITAM Institute of Science, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam-530 045, A.P., India

Abstract


A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in coastal zone of Visakhapatnam among 170 workers in 41 randomly selected Xerox (photostat) shops. The aim was to evaluate the relations between work with Xerox equipment and the occurrence of eye, nasopharyngeal, skin and general symptoms (often denoted as sick building syndrome (SBS), chronic respiratory symptoms, and respiratory infections. Work with self-copying paper was significantly related to weekly work-related eye, nasopharyngeal and skin symptoms, headache and lethargy, as well as to the occurrence of wheezing, cough, mucus production, sinusitis, and acute bronchitis. Xeroxing was related to nasal irritation, and video display terminal work to eye symptoms, headache, and lethargy.

Keywords


Xerox Workers, Health Hazards, Sick Building Syndrome.