O2D.2 Occupational exposure to oxygenated, petroleum-based and chlorinated solvents of women in childbearing age in france in 2013

Objective Occupational exposure to chemical agents including solvents is sparsely described among women although they constitute a vulnerable population at certain points in life and particularly during the procreative period. The aim of this study is to document the occupational exposure to oxygenated, petroleum-based and chlorinated solvents in women of childbearing age (WCA). Methods We linked 17 job-exposure matrices describing exposure to oxygenated, petroleum-based and chlorinated solvents from the MATGENE programme to the 2013 French census. The occupational exposure prevalence was estimated in women aged from 15 to 44 years. The occupational exposure prevalence was described by 5 year age group, occupation and worker status (salaried or self-employed). Results The most frequently used solvents in French workplace in 2013 by WCA are oxygenated solvents (15% of WCA at work, n=1,112,000), then petroleum-based solvents (1%, n=73,000) and chlorinated solvents (0.1%, n=9,000). The younger WCA (15–29 years) are more exposed to oxygenated solvents than their elders (19.9% vs 14.9%). On the contrary, the elderly (35–44 years) are more exposed to petroleum-based and chlorinated solvents. Three quarters of the WCA exposed to at least one oxygenated solvent are civil and public servants (41%), health and social workers (21%) or direct personal services staff (19%). Half of WCA exposed to at least one petroleum-based solvent are drivers (20%) and skilled workers of industrial and artisanal fields (13% respectively). For WCA exposed to at least one chlorinated solvent, nearly half worked as non-skilled workers of industrial and artisanal type (17% respectively) and health and social workers (15%). Conclusions This study is the first describing occupational exposure to three major solvents’ families for the entire working WCA in France regardless of working status or occupation. These information will help in the surveillance of this occupational risk and to prioritize prevention actions.