الفهرس 
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Abstract
There are many occupational hazards in the manufacture of vegetable oils and detergents as exposures to various chemicals as acids, alkalis, alkyl benzene sulphonate, sodium silicate, solvents and fragrances and exposure to high levels of heat, humidity and noise which are very common in such industries. Also, accidents as mechanical injuries, explosions, and accidental exposure to toxic substances can occur frequently. These hazards may lead to different health effects to exposed workers and may affect the nearby environment if safety measures are not properly applied. Exposed workers in oils and detergent industries are at high risk of respiratory and skin problems as occupational dermatitis, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and upper respiratory tract problems as allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis. Therefore, controlling exposure to workplace hazards and medical surveillance of workers will reduce health disorders among exposed workers. The aim of the present study was to assess occupational exposures, applied safety measures and effects on skin and pulmonary functions of exposed workers in vegetable oils and detergents industry, Tanta City - Gharbia Governorate. The objectives of this study were: (1) To identify the association of bronchial asthma and skin dermatosis with hazardous exposures among workers in vegetable oils and detergent industry. (2) To assess the applied safety measures in vegetable oils and detergent manufacture in a company in Tanta City, Egypt. Subjects and methods: This study was a comparative cross-sectional study carried out on all workers in all departments of Tanta oils and soap company. The study subjects included 435 workers including 200workers in production departments and 235 workers in administrative departments. Tools of the study included: (1) A valid predesigned structured questionnaire sheet that was collected through direct personal interviews with the workers. (2) Dermatological examination (3) Investigations regarding ventilatory pulmonary function tests (spirometry) for symptomatic workers. (4) A modified Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) inspection checklist to workplace environment. (5) Environmental monitoring of workplace with measuring total dust concentration, heat and noise levels in the company using appropriate measuring devices according to NIOSH guideline. Approval was obtained from the manager of Tanta Oils and Soap Company. Participants were informed about the purpose and procedure of the study and benefits of sharing in it. Written formal consent was obtained from each participant. Privacy of participants and confidentiality of the data were guaranteed. Collected data will be used for research only. Approval of the “Ethical Committee for Research” at Tanta Faculty of Medicine was obtained to conduct the study. The results of the current study revealed that: • The age of all workers ranged from 25-60 years. The highest percent of all workers were males. More than three quarters of workers in production departments were from rural areas. The highest percent of had a secondary level of education or higher. More than two thirds did not have enough income. • Concerning medical condition of workers, it was found that hypertension and diabetes were the most common chronic diseases among workers. • Regarding occupational history, years of experience in current job ranged from 11-41 years. In production departments, excessive heat was the main workplace exposure as reported by 69% of workers followed by fumes (65%) then chemicals (56%). The majority of workers didn’t take a periodic medical examination. More than one third (39.6%) didn’t receive any instructions about the use of personal protective equipment. The majority of workers didn’t use any of them. • Regarding respiratory manifestations among studied workers in production departments, it was found that about 19% of workers complained of chronic cough and chest wheeze in soap and detergents manufacturing departments. While 26.2% of workers in vegetable oils manufacturing departments complained of repeated attacks of difficulty in breathing and chest tightness. • Spirometry results revealed that more than half of symptomatic workers had an obstructive ventilatory dysfunction (53.8% & 68.2% respectively) in both vegetable oils and soap/detergents manufacturing departments. While only 15.4% &4.5% of workers had a restrictive ventilatory dysfunction with 12.8% & 9.1% of workers showed a significant decrease in FEV1 (>20%) after shift in both manufacturing departments respectively. • Regarding the presence of nasal symptoms, rhinorrhea and nasal obstruction were the most frequent symptoms (6.3% & 5.6% respectively) in the vegetable oils manufacturing departments. While nasal obstruction and nasal itching (10.8% & 8.1% respectively) were the most frequent symptoms in the soap & detergents manufacturing departments. • Regarding reported skin symptoms, it was found that current skin itching was present in 8.7% & 4.1% of exposed workers in both vegetable oils and soap/detergents manufacturing departments respectively. While localized skin rash was present in only one worker working in vegetable oils manufacturing. The majority of workers (81.1%) in soap/ detergents manufacturing departments practiced hand washing. Skin examination of studied workers revealed that chronic eczema was the most common skin disease among workers in vegetable oils manufacture (4.8%). Only one worker in each of vegetable oils and soap/detergents manufacture suffered from skin allergy. • Regarding reported eye and auditory symptoms, vision problems were reported by 31.7% & 35.1% of workers in both vegetable oils and soap/detergents manufacturing departments respectively. While eye burning was present in 12.7% & 6.8% of workers in both departments respectively. Equal percent of workers (9.5%) complained of difficult hearing in both manufacturing departments followed by 8.7% suffered from tinnitus in vegetable oils manufacturing departments and 6.8% of workers suffered from ear secretions in soap/detergents manufacturing departments. • Regarding the applied safety measures, it was found that more than half of production departments were somewhat sufficient regarding most safety measures in the workplace. • Environmental monitoring of the workplace was done by measuring total dust concentration, heat and humidity levels in all production departments of the company using appropriate measuring devices according to NIOSH guideline and it was found that the mean of measurements was within the permissible levels according to the Egyptian law number 4 (2011) except total dust level which was elevated in vegetable oils manufacture departments (3.5mg/m3). So, the current study concluded that although the majority of workers neither take a periodic medical examination nor use personal protective equipment, a small percentage of them had respiratory complaints. Pulmonary function tests and skin examination were normal for most exposed workers. More than half of production departments were somewhat sufficient regarding safety measures. Workplace environment measurements were normal in most production departments. The study recommends that engineering and environmental controls should be used to minimize workplace exposures. Environmental monitoring and periodic medical examination should be done at least annually. All workers should receive the appropriate training programs and regular instructions on safe work practices. All workers should be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment suitable for their jobs. A clinic should be present in the workplace with medical personnel readily available for advice and consultation.