TY - JOUR
T1 - A survey of environmental and occupational work practices in the automotive refinishing industry of a developing country
T2 - Sonora, Mexico
AU - Velázquez, Luis
AU - Bello, Dhimiter
AU - Munguia, Nora
AU - Zavala, Andrea
AU - Marin, Amina
AU - Moure-Eraso, Rafael
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - The automotive repair and refinishing industry has been studied intensively in industrialized countries, in part due to use of hazardous chemicals such as isocyanates and solvents, but little is known about industry practices in the developing world. The main objective of this paper was to investigate environmental and occupational work practices of this industry in a developing region, Sonora, Mexico. An integrated survey approach maximizes the opportunity for identifying risks as well as reducing risks. This investigation included detailed workplace visits to 41 body shops and 6 paint suppliers, as well as a survey of shop owners and 24 workers. Information was collected on work practices, level of technology in the shops, use of personal protective equipment, consumption and handling of hazardous chemicals and waste, hazard communication, and environmental consciousness. Most shops had little capital, outdated technology for exposure control, poor working conditions, high potential for exposure to hazardous chemicals, and little awareness of environmental and occupational health and safety. We concluded that work practices in the Sonoran auto refinishing industry are unsustainable and may pose a health risk to workers and the environment.
AB - The automotive repair and refinishing industry has been studied intensively in industrialized countries, in part due to use of hazardous chemicals such as isocyanates and solvents, but little is known about industry practices in the developing world. The main objective of this paper was to investigate environmental and occupational work practices of this industry in a developing region, Sonora, Mexico. An integrated survey approach maximizes the opportunity for identifying risks as well as reducing risks. This investigation included detailed workplace visits to 41 body shops and 6 paint suppliers, as well as a survey of shop owners and 24 workers. Information was collected on work practices, level of technology in the shops, use of personal protective equipment, consumption and handling of hazardous chemicals and waste, hazard communication, and environmental consciousness. Most shops had little capital, outdated technology for exposure control, poor working conditions, high potential for exposure to hazardous chemicals, and little awareness of environmental and occupational health and safety. We concluded that work practices in the Sonoran auto refinishing industry are unsustainable and may pose a health risk to workers and the environment.
KW - Auto refinishing
KW - Environmental hazard
KW - Isocyanate
KW - Pollution prevention
KW - Sustainability
KW - Work practices
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=43449084653&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1179/oeh.2008.14.2.104
DO - 10.1179/oeh.2008.14.2.104
M3 - Artículo
SN - 1077-3525
VL - 14
SP - 104
EP - 111
JO - International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health
JF - International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health
IS - 2
ER -