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SYMPTOMS IN HEALTH PERSONNEL EXPOSED TO DISINFECTANTS
Abstract
Background: While the biocidal efficacy of disinfectants available for use in health facilities
has been widely investigated, little attention has been paid to their potential side effects to
users.
Objective: To describe the occurrence of symptoms attributable to occupational exposure to
disinfectants with emphasis on gluteraldehyde.
Design: Exploratory cross-sectional study.
Setting: Kenyan health facilities.
Subjects: One hundred and fifteen members of various health cadres.
Results: All the respondents reported using disinfectants. Glutaraldehyde-based preparations,
either alone or alongside other agents (excluding hypochlorite), were used by 52.2% of the
respondents. Hypochlorite-based preparations, either alone or alongside other agents, were
used by 18.376, while cetrimide preparations and ethanol alongside other agents were used
by 13% of the respondents. More than sixty two per cent of the respondents had suffered one
or more symptoms during the use of these disinfectants. Among the users of glutaraldehyde
preparations, the most common symptoms reported were sneezing (38.3%), headache
(31.7%), watering of eyes (25%), skin rash (10%) and chronic cough (8.3%). Among users
of hypochlorite and cetrimide preparations, the most commonly reported symptoms were
sneezing, headaches and watering of eyes.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest possible occupation-related adverse reactions that
may be attributed to the use of disinfectants. Awareness of these potential hazards needs
to be increased among users and efforts made to introduce techniques to minimise
exposure to liquid and vapourised disinfectants. Further studies involving larger sample
sizes, are necessary to unequivocally apportion the various symptoms to specific
disinfecting agents.
has been widely investigated, little attention has been paid to their potential side effects to
users.
Objective: To describe the occurrence of symptoms attributable to occupational exposure to
disinfectants with emphasis on gluteraldehyde.
Design: Exploratory cross-sectional study.
Setting: Kenyan health facilities.
Subjects: One hundred and fifteen members of various health cadres.
Results: All the respondents reported using disinfectants. Glutaraldehyde-based preparations,
either alone or alongside other agents (excluding hypochlorite), were used by 52.2% of the
respondents. Hypochlorite-based preparations, either alone or alongside other agents, were
used by 18.376, while cetrimide preparations and ethanol alongside other agents were used
by 13% of the respondents. More than sixty two per cent of the respondents had suffered one
or more symptoms during the use of these disinfectants. Among the users of glutaraldehyde
preparations, the most common symptoms reported were sneezing (38.3%), headache
(31.7%), watering of eyes (25%), skin rash (10%) and chronic cough (8.3%). Among users
of hypochlorite and cetrimide preparations, the most commonly reported symptoms were
sneezing, headaches and watering of eyes.
Conclusions: Our findings suggest possible occupation-related adverse reactions that
may be attributed to the use of disinfectants. Awareness of these potential hazards needs
to be increased among users and efforts made to introduce techniques to minimise
exposure to liquid and vapourised disinfectants. Further studies involving larger sample
sizes, are necessary to unequivocally apportion the various symptoms to specific
disinfecting agents.
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