[The interventions effect-assessment of the workers exposed to N, N-dimethylformamide by percutaneous in a synthetic leather factory].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of interventions on synthetic leather workers exposed to N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF) by skin. METHODS: Twenty-six workers exposed to DMF were recruited. The level of DMF in ambient or handwash solution and N-methylformamide (NMF) in end-shift urine samples were detected before interventions and after interventions for six months. RESULTS: After interventions the levels of DMF in ambient reduced 52.7% from (63.27 +/- 52.67) mg/m3 to (29.95 +/- 23.79) mg/m3. The levels of NMF in urine samples reduced 17.9% from (2.07 +/- 0.32) mg/g Cr to (1.70 +/- 0.29) mg/g Cr (P < 0.01). The mean level of DMF in handwash solution reduced 53.4% from 0.88 +/- 0.40 mg to 0.41 +/- 0.81 mg. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the multi-intervention measures (engineering control, personal protection and health promotion) should be used for the synthetic leather workers occupationally exposed to DMF.