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KMID : 0371619990150020241
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Journal of Wonkwang Medical Science
1999 Volume.15 No. 2 p.241 ~ p.247
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A Study of the Work Environment and Health Status of the Central Supply Sterilizing Room Workers Exposed to Low Levels of Ethylene Oxide
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Kim Jae-Kwon
Han Moon-Sun
Lee Dong-Keun
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Abstract
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Background: Hospital employees are exposed to various hazards, and turn out neglecting to health problems caused by these hazardous factors, so it is necessary to measuring hospital working environment.
Methods: This study was performed to evaluate the possible effects on health following exposure to low levels of ethylene oxide in central supply sterilizing room workers. Questionnaires, measuring the volume of ethylene oxide exposure, hematologic and urinary examination were performed and the obtained results were as follows :
Results: 1. Four(l7.4%) workers answered as "very serious" and 9(39.1%) answered as "serious" to the survey about the understanding the effect on the individual health when they use ethylene oxide, 9(39.1%) replied as "Yes" and 14(60.0%) replied as "No" about the question if they get the regular education, 19(82.6%) agreed to the necessity of measureing the working environment. It was found that 6(26.1%) wear the protector and 17(73.9%) do not wear the protector during their work. 2. The exposure concentration of ethylene oxide in the central supply sterilizing room was measured as follow : Average 0.076 ppm for the individual exposure, average 0.106 ppm for the main operating room, and average 0.088 ppm for the side operating room. 3. As the result of the hematologic examination, the average rate of each part except for the number of leucocytes was included in the normal category. There was a significant statistical difference in the number of leucocytes between the exposed group and the control group(p<(0.05). 4. The exposed group was divided 2 groups according to their working period as over 12 year group and under 12 year group. Although the average rate of each part was analyzed as normal, the number of leucocytes showed a significant statistical difference between the two groups(p<0.05). 5. There was no significant statistical difference between the exposed group and the control group in the urine protein test.
Conclusions: Tlt is considered that they need the measuring equipment and the constant measuring management of the working environment. Furthermore, regular safety education for the preventive plans for the health troubles and keeping the rule of earing the protector during their work are recommended.
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KEYWORD
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Low levels of ethylene oxide, Hospital employees
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