Chemical risk factors in occupational health and safety: CO exposure of workers

In this study, it is aimed to determine the blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels of petrol attendants, taxi-bus drivers, and automotive industry workers working in Gumushane city center, which are frequently exposed to exhaust gases according to working conditions, and to make suggestions for appropriate occupational health and safety (OHS) measures to provide a healthier and safer working environment. COHb amounts in blood samples taken from 10 petrol attendant, 20 taxi-bus driver, and 20 automotive industry workers working in Gümüşhane province and exposed to CO due to working conditions and from control group of 20 people living on the same city and not exposed to CO has been analysed by a CO-Oximetry device in a Toxicology laboratuary of the Chemistry Department at the Council of Forensic Medicine Trabzon Group Presidency. However, as blood COHb levels change in direct proportion to smoking habits, work experiences, the consumption frequency of milk and milk based products etc., a semi-structured with 11 questions of questionnaire is used to determine blood COHb levels of smokers and non-smokers. SPSS 22.0 program has been used for the statistical evaluation of the results obtained. The analysis of the effects of smoking status of the sample group according to other work groups has nonparametric values and because of that the "MWU Test" and the "KWH Test" have been used.