Analyse d’une situation d’exposition aiguë aux vapeurs de créosote dans une entreprise du secteur électrique à Abidjan

Purpose of the study. Creosote is a complex mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) used for the treatment of wooden electric poles. We report cases of acute exposure to creosote vapors in a company of the electricity sector. We aimed to analyze the factors of exposure, measure the exposure levels and describe the clinical and laboratory manifestations of creosote poisoning. Method. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey with study of exposure sites, physical examination of exposed persons, laboratory investigations and environmental measurements of PAHs. Results. The exposed subjects were 27, 12 workers of the electricity company, 9 private security guards and 6 neighboring residents. The exposure lasted 5 days with a daily exposure ranging from 8 hours to 24 hours. Workers did not have respiratory protectors. Eighteen of the 27 exposed persons have undergone the clinical examination. The following clinical manifestations of irritation were found: rhinitis (12/18 [66.6%]), cough and headache (10/18 [55.5], oropharyngitis 8/18 [44.4%]) and eye irritation (7/18 [38.9%]). Biologically, two patients had hypertransaminasemia. Atmospheric concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene (mg/m(3)) ranged from 0.29 to 0.38 on one site and from 0.52 to 2.28 on the other site. The levels were zero after five months on the first site and one month later on the second site. The acute exposures were considered as occupational accidents for 12 workers and as accidental exposure for 6 residents neighboring the site. In Ivory Coast, the use of creosote is not governed by specific texts. Conclusion. Given the risk, it is necessary to secure the use of creosote-treated wood in an overall strategy to protect the employees, population and environment. (C) 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.