Exploring Factors Influencing on Occupational Respiratory Exposure to Chemical Airborne Pollutants at Workplace: A Qualitative Study

Allocating the best control for occupational exposures to the airborne contaminants can be accomplished by fully identifying all of the determinants of human exposures. Therefore, achieving a reasonable understanding about these determinants and their control methods remains a high priority for occupational hygienists. The aim of the present study was to explore the factors influencing respiratory exposure of workers to chemicals at workplaces. In this qualitative study 41 experts approved our request to participate in the study but data saturation achieved by 27 interviews. Interviewees were occupational hygienists working in the universities and industries in Iran. Data were collected via semi-constructed interview between May to September 2018. The inductive content analysis method was done manually. The identified factors were categorized into groups based on their similar characteristics. Seven main categories (themes) and 56 subcategories (sub-themes) were identified as determinants of respiratory exposure to chemicals at workplaces, including workplace specific factors (9), source emission properties (3), process characteristics (10), contaminants properties (6), personal related factors (5), engineering control measures (8) and organizational & administrative controls (15). Our results revealed that there are many factors (56 factors) influencing exposure of workers to airborne chemicals. Thus, any preventive program for exposure management should thoroughly take into account such factors.