Health Complaints of German Mastic Asphalt Workers

A recent decision of the German Committee on Hazardous Substances (AGS) not to establish an occupational exposure limit for vapors and aerosols emitted by hot mastic asphalt was tied to an industry commitment that all mastic asphalt workers would be intensively screened medically so that technical o...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene 2007-01, Vol.4 (sup1), p.233-236
Main Authors: Rumler, Richard, Rühl, Reinhold, Nies, Eberhard, Rode, Peter, Heger, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adverse health-effects
bitume vapors and aerosols
cough
itching eyes
mastic asphalt
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:A recent decision of the German Committee on Hazardous Substances (AGS) not to establish an occupational exposure limit for vapors and aerosols emitted by hot mastic asphalt was tied to an industry commitment that all mastic asphalt workers would be intensively screened medically so that technical or personal protection measures can be promptly put in place to reduce occupational exposure. In the meantime, almost 80% of all active mastic asphalt workers in Germany have been examined and questioned about work-associated health complaints. The results of this comprehensive survey of mastic asphalt workers compared to a parallel unexposed control cohort indicate significant irritation of the breathing airways and itching eyes. The survey has furthermore indicated that more individuals from the exposed cohort suffered from health restrictions, as diagnosed by their physicians. The investigation has provided a general view and is considered to be a basis for more detailed examinations.
ISSN:1545-9624
1545-9632
DOI:10.1080/15459620701337635