Occupational exposure to oxygenated, petroleum-based, and chlorinated solvents among women of childbearing age in France in 2013. Results of the Matgéné program

This study examines occupational exposure to oxygenated, petroleum-based, and chlorinated solvents among a vulnerable population of workers: women of childbearing age, defined as those aged 15–44. This exposure is broken down by age, socio-occupational category, and employment status (salaried or self-employed). Exposures were assessed using the job-exposure matrices from the Matgéné program. Population data from the 2013 census were cross-referenced with the matrices to estimate exposure prevalence and the proportion of women exposed to these solvents. The solvents most frequently used in the workplace in 2013 by women of childbearing age were oxygenated solvents (15.0% of these workers), followed by petroleum solvents (1.0%) and chlorinated solvents (0.1%). Younger women (ages 15–29) are more exposed to oxygenated solvents than their older counterparts. Conversely, older women (ages 35–44) are more exposed to petroleum and chlorinated solvents. Self-employed women are more exposed to all three families of solvents than employed women. This study is the first to present occupational exposure to three major families of solvents for all working women of childbearing age in France, regardless of their status or occupational activity. A more detailed analysis of these prevalence rates, particularly by sector of activity, would help to better guide and target the preventive measures to be implemented for working women of childbearing age.

Author(s): Lagarrigue Robin, Houot Marie, El Yamani Mounia, Pilorget Corinne

Publishing year: 2019

Pages: 137-143

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2019, n° 7, p. 137-143

In relation to

Our latest news

news

Alcohol Meter: A Review After 6 Years of Use by the French to Assess Their...

news

Extreme heat affects us all: let's adopt the right habits

news

G7 Summit in Evian: Enhanced Health Monitoring