Prevalence of occupational co-exposure to biomechanical factors and neurotoxic chemicals in French workers

OBJECTIVES

Little is known about occupational co-exposure. The objective was to assess the prevalence of exposure and co-exposure to biomechanical factors and neurotoxic chemicals in French workers in 2017.

METHODS

Data from the French representative survey SUMER 2017 (SUrveillance Médicale des Expositions aux Risques professionnels) were analyzed. A total of 25 118 workers were included. Exposure to 4 biomechanical factors (manual handling of loads, forceful joint exertion, repetitive movements, and hand-arm transmitted vibrations) and 18 neurotoxic chemicals (n-hexane, perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, etc.) were assessed using a questionnaire during face-to-face interviews with occupational physicians.

RESULTS

Among men, 22.9% were exposed to at least one biomechanical factor and 10.2% were exposed to at least one neurotoxic chemical, mainly single exposures. Among women, 10.8% were exposed to at least one biomechanical factor and 3.1% were exposed to at least one neurotoxic chemical, also mainly single exposures. Occupational co-exposure to biomechanical factors and neurotoxic chemicals was observed among 4.8% of men and 0.7% of women. Workers under 30 yr old, blue-collar workers and those working in small companies were more co-exposed than other workers. In men, the prevalence of co-exposure was higher in the construction sector compared to other economic activities.

DISCUSSION

This study stresses the importance of considering multiple occupational exposures while the current prevention measures are designed to focus on preventing occupational factors individually.