Study on health effect of occupational acrylamide exposure and confounding factors

Objective To study the adverse effect of acrylamide among occupationally exposed workers and explore the potential confounding factors related to this health effect. Methods The health condition of 109 workers in an oil refining plant exposed to acrylamide and 104 control workers were surveyed. The acrylamide concentrations at workplaces were measured and the risk factors related to health were asked. Results The concentrations (C_TWA) of acrylamide at 5 worksites in this plant varied from 0.15 to 0.28 mg/m³,which was lower than the national exposure limits. The chi-square test showed that acrylamide exposure,coffee intake,smoking and drinking were associated with nervous system symptoms among exposed workers (χ²=4.658,33.339, 17.438, 89.535, P < 0.05),while acrylamide exposure and smoking were associated with general symptoms (χ²=17.059,41.375,P < 0.05). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking and exposure to acrylamide with 5 years or more may be risk factors of both general symptoms and nervous system symptoms (both OR > 1,P < 0.05). Conclusion Smoking and occupational exposure to acrylamide were the main risk factors of health problem among exposed workers. It is necessary to reduce the acrylamide exposure level and stop smoking to protect workers' health.