Exposure of gasoline station workers to leaded gasoline in the Gaza Strip: Awareness and self reported symptoms.

Abstract

Awareness and self reported symptoms among 105 gasoline station workers in the Gaza Strip were assessed. A cross section of workers was asked to fill in a questionnaire. Workers reported high level of knowledge on health effects of leaded gasoline 88 (83.8%) and lead as an environmental pollutant 89 (84.8%). Protective measures were poorly used. Knowledge seems not to have much influence on practice. The most common self reported symptoms were neurological symptoms including headache 78 (74.3%), fatigue 74 (70.5%), irritability 66 (62.9%), concentration difficulties 65 (61.9%), and sleep disturbance 55 (52.4%). The prevalence of symptoms increased with increasing years of work (χ2 corrected= 7.713, P= 0.021). Use of respiratory mask in particular can potentially limit such symptoms (χ2 corrected= 8.325, P= 0.004).