Sleep disturbances and neurotoxicity in workers exposed to hydrocarbons. An observational study from Algeria

Background Occupational exposure to solvents may lead to neurotoxicity and sleep disturbances. We aimed to investigate the association of occupational exposure to petroleum‐derived hydrocarbons with neurotoxicity and sleep disturbance symptoms. Methods We included male workers handling/distributing...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of industrial medicine 2016-02, Vol.59 (2), p.129-136
Main Authors: Sekkal, Samira, Casas, Lidia, Haddam, Nahida, Bouhacina, Linda, Scheers, Hans, Taleb, Abdesselam, Nemery, Benoit
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Algeria - epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons - toxicity
Male
Middle Aged
neurotoxicity
Neurotoxicity Syndromes - epidemiology
Occupational Diseases - chemically induced
Occupational Diseases - epidemiology
Occupational Exposure - adverse effects
Occupational medicine
Oil and Gas Industry
Petroleum - toxicity
Poisson Distribution
Prevalence
Regression Analysis
Self Report
sleep symptoms
Sleep Wake Disorders - chemically induced
Sleep Wake Disorders - epidemiology
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Summary:Background Occupational exposure to solvents may lead to neurotoxicity and sleep disturbances. We aimed to investigate the association of occupational exposure to petroleum‐derived hydrocarbons with neurotoxicity and sleep disturbance symptoms. Methods We included male workers handling/distributing petroleum products (exposed, n = 250) and electricians (non‐exposed, n = 250) from two companies in Tlemcen (Algeria). Neurotoxicity was evaluated with the Q‐16 questionnaire, and sleep disturbances with the Epworth and the Berlin questionnaires. Multivariable Poisson regression models with robust error variances were applied obtaining risk ratios (RR) and their 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Overall, the prevalence of reported neurotoxicity and sleep disturbance symptoms was higher in exposed than in non‐exposed workers. Significant adjusted associations were observed for neurotoxicity, snoring, and excessive sleepiness (RR = 2.2, CI: 1.7–2.8; RR = 1.4; CI: 1.1–1.7; RR = 1.3, CI: 1.2–1.5, respectively). No significant associations were observed with the Epworth score. Conclusions Our questionnaire‐based cross‐sectional study suggests that exposure to petroleum‐derived hydrocarbons is associated with self‐reported sleep disturbances and neurotoxicity symptoms. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:129–136, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ISSN:0271-3586
1097-0274
DOI:10.1002/ajim.22561