SOME BIOLOGICAL HEALTH HAZARDS AMONG SEWAGE WORKERS

Objectives: The current work aimed at assessment of biological hazards among workers of sewer networks.Subjects: The work was conducted on 34 male workers involved in the maintenance of the sewerage system network and a matched unexposed control group (n= 35).Methods: (A) All workers were interviewed using a special questionnaire including occupational history ; and full clinical examination was performed. (B) Detection of HAV and HBV (C) Detection of leptospira spirochete antibodies in serum sample using monoclonal antibody technique. (D) Detection of leptospira spirochete in stool by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). (E) Detection of Helicobacter Pylori in blood sampleby Ig G.Results: We found that there were statistically significant differences between the exposed and the control groups as regards the presence of chronic infection with HAV and Helicobacter and of leptospira spirochete and the presence of abdominal pain and body aches. There was no statistically significant difference between sewage workers 20 years as regards HAV, HBV, Helicobacter and a statistically significant difference between both groups as regards leptospira spirocheteinfection.Conclusion: There were statistically significant differences between the exposed and the control groups as regards the presence of chronic infection with HAV and Helicobacter and of leptospira spirochete and the presence of abdominal pain and body aches.Recommendation: Biological hazards could be prevented through engineering, medical and legislative measures. The medical measures will help in early detection of the effects of these exposures. This can be partly achieved by developing an effectiveoccupational health service for the workers. Regular awareness programs should be conducted to impart knowledge regarding safer work procedures, the use of personal protective devices and to avoid direct contact with raw sewage. For pipeline or other inspections, remote-controlled robotic cameras can minimize human exposure.