Assessment of health risks from occupational exposure to chemical waste

Abstract

The clinical analysis laboratories (LACs) generate infectious waste classified as highly dangerous to human health and the environment. This study aimed to assess the risks to human health caused by chemical waste from LACs. The Risk models UNEP / WHO and USEPA were used based on the inventory of biochemical tests that are performed in a typical Clinical Analysis Laboratory . The substances, namely phenol, 4-nitrophenol and 4-chlorophenol, and their used volumes were identified in the most commonly used reagents.. The inhalation exposure to these substances of occupationally exposed workers was estimated. The results show that occupational exposure to phenol and 4-chlorophenol, without the use of RPE, results in a important  health risks. This fact suggests the need to strengthen the supervision by the competent organs in the management of waste from LACs .