Assessment of occupational risks in a fuel analysis laboratory.

INTRODUCTION

Occupational exposure to fuels and their chemical components represents a significant challenge to workers' health, particularly in laboratory settings where these substances are handled directly and frequently. Although the toxic effects of these compounds have been widely described in the literature, studies systematically assessing the health profile of workers in fuel analysis laboratories remain scarce, particularly in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze occupational risks in a fuel analysis laboratory in the city of São Paulo by describing the workers' health profile, the occurrence of signs and symptoms, and their possible relationship with chemical exposures, as well as to discuss the implications of the findings for improving preventive management practices in compliance with current regulatory standards.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional, observational, descriptive study with a quantitative approach. A customized questionnaire, a customized Risk Recognition Form, an informed consent form, and the Advanced REACH Tool, version 1.5, were used.

RESULTS

The estimates obtained using the ART 1.5 tool, even under conservative assumptions, remained below the limits established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists and the values reported in an institutional document.

CONCLUSIONS

Under the modeled conditions, the exposures estimated using the Advanced REACH Tool 1.5 remained below the established occupational exposure limits. Because this is a predictive tool, its results do not replace direct environmental monitoring. The study also identified opportunities to improve risk management and the laboratory infrastructure.