Cleaning-chemical exposures and respiratory, dermatological and musculoskeletal symptoms among custodians using traditional and green cleaners

Objectives: We sought to investigate the relationships between cleaning chemicals and respiratory, dermatological and musculoskeletal symptoms among custodians transitioning from traditional to green cleaners.

Methods: University-employed custodians completed a questionnaire to assess cleaning chemical use and health symptoms. An exposure index was developed to quantify custodians’ relative intensity of exposure to cleaning chemicals in total, and to traditional or environmentally preferable or ‘green’ chemicals.  Associations between health outcomes and total, traditional, and green-cleaning chemical intensity were investigated in separate models using logistic regression controlling for age, gender, and smoking status.

Results: A total of 329 custodians from three universities and one university health center completed questionnaires. Health symptoms within the last month included dermatitis (26% of respondents), lower respiratory complaints (30%), upper respiratory complaints (43%), pain or discomfort in back (32%) and pain or discomfort in neck, shoulders or arms (44%). Increased total exposure was associated with increased odds of pain or discomfort in the neck, shoulder, arms, or hands (p=0.03). Increased traditional-chemical exposure was associated with increased odds of upper respiratory symptoms (p=0.03) and neck, shoulder, arms, or hand pain (p<0.01). There was no association between increasing green-cleaning chemical exposure and health symptoms.  

Conclusion: Custodian musculoskeletal symptoms follow a dose-related pattern with increasing risk for symptoms related to increased total cleaning-chemical exposure. Custodian upper respiratory symptoms were associated with traditional cleaning chemical use only.