INVESTIGATION INTO IRRITANT CONSEQUENCES OF EMBALMING CHEMICALS ON RESPIRATORY TRACTS OF EMBALMERS Investigación sobre las consecuencias irritantes de los productos químicos de embalaje en los tractos respiratorios de los embalsantes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31051/1852.8023.v11.n3.25477Keywords:
Embalming chemicals, Respiration, Health hazard, Anatomy, Prevention productos químicos de embalsamamiento, Respiración, Peligro para la salud, Anatomía, PrevenciónAbstract
Exposure to toxic substances including embalming chemicals was established as health hazard depending on specific properties of contaminant, exposure situations and individual’s health status. Health hazards from embalming practices amongst a fraction of licenced embalmers were investigated: auditing safety and comfortability in embalmment, demonstration of respiratory occupational health hazards and analysis of basic precautionary measures in embalmment. Study conducted in hospitals’ mortuaries and anatomic laboratories. A proforma designed for collection of data was categorized into 4-sections: socio-demographics; mortuary design; pre-employment assessment; and respiratory function. Mortuaries/anatomic laboratories across Ekiti, Nigeria were scheduled by a team of investigators administering proforma on each centre and individuals involved. Controls were drawn from other workers outside embalming/anatomy departments of same institution. Data collated and analysed with statistical-significance as p<0.05. Sixty-eight workers participated with 34 each for case and control. Embalmers’ highest age-group (18-44years) constituted 17(50.0%). Religion: Christianity 31(91.2%) and Islam 3(8.8%). Education: primary 6(17.6%); secondary 14(41.2%) and tertiary 14(41.2%). Respiratory rates, forced expiratory volumes within 1-second and maximum voluntary volumes were statistically-significant while relative differences were observed in tidal volumes. Concordance test (p>0.05) showed inter-dependency amongst the parameters assessing respiratory function. Embalmment was dreadful on respiration of embalmers by deranging lung volumes. Approximative 6% of embalmers developed obstructive respiratory lesion equated to a disaster. Embalming centres in this locality, perhaps, Nigeria at large were rated low due to myriad of unwarranted exposure to embalming fluids. Standard and well-equipped mortuaries/anatomic laboratories were recommended in reducing to the barest minimum: dreadful effects of embalming chemicals, typically, Formaldehyde.
La exposición a sustancias tóxicas, incluidos los productos químicos de embalsamamiento, se estableció como un peligro para la salud dependiendo de las propiedades específicas de los contaminantes, las situaciones de exposición y el estado de salud del individuo. Se investigaron los riesgos para la salud de las prácticas de embalsamamiento entre una fracción de los embalsamadores autorizados: auditar la seguridad y la comodidad en el embalsamamiento, la demostración de los riesgos de salud ocupacional respiratoria y el análisis de las medidas de precaución básicas en el embalsamamiento. Estudio realizado en mortuorios y laboratorios anatómicos de hospitales. Un formulario diseñado para la recopilación de datos se clasificó en 4 secciones: sociodemográficas; diseño mortuorio; evaluación previa al empleo; y función respiratoria. Los laboratorios de anatomía / mortuorios en Ekiti, Nigeria, fueron programados por un equipo de investigadores que administraban proforma en cada centro e individuos involucrados. Los controles se obtuvieron de otros trabajadores fuera de los departamentos de embalsamamiento / anatomía de la misma institución. Datos recopilados y analizados con significación estadística como p <0,05. Sesenta y ocho trabajadores participaron con 34 cada uno por caso y control. El grupo de edad más alto de los embalsamadores (18-44 años) constituía 17 (50.0%). Religión: Cristianismo 31 (91,2%) e Islam 3 (8,8%). Educación: primaria 6 (17,6%); secundaria 14 (41,2%) y terciaria 14 (41,2%). Las tasas respiratorias, los volúmenes espiratorios forzados dentro de 1 segundo y los volúmenes voluntarios máximos fueron estadísticamente significativos, mientras que se observaron diferencias relativas en los volúmenes corrientes. La prueba de concordancia (p> 0.05) mostró interdependencia entre los parámetros que evalúan la función respiratoria. El embalsamamiento fue terrible en la respiración de los embalsamadores al alterar los volúmenes pulmonares. Aproximadamente el 6% de los embalsamadores desarrollaron una lesión respiratoria obstructiva equivalente a un desastre. Los centros de embalsamamiento en esta localidad, tal vez, Nigeria en general, recibieron una calificación baja debido a la miríada de exposición injustificada a los fluidos de embalsamamiento. Se recomendaron laboratorios mortuorios / anatómicos estándar y bien equipados para reducir al mínimo lo más mínimo posible: los terribles efectos de los productos químicos de embalsamamiento, por lo general, formaldehído.
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