Study of the chemical hazard in car body painting workshops in the city of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Abstract Knowledge of the risks of chemicals remains low among most parts of the African population. This situation is further complicated by the widespread lack of reliable data and information on the toxicity and safe use of chemicals. The present study was conducted to describe the chemical hazards to which workers in auto body paint shops would be exposed.The cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted in car body paint shops in the city of Ouagadougou. The data collection consisted of an inventory of the products, direct observation of the workers in the work situation, and interviews.A total of 17 chemical products were inventoried in all the car body paint shops. Of the 17 products inventoried, 15 were flammable solvents (88.23%), 2 (11.77%) were in paste form and 1 (5.88%) was an oxidizer. All the products were dangerous for health and among them 6 (35.29%) were dangerous for the environment according to their pictograms. These products were handled without special precautions.All these products present risks for human health and the environment. In view of the working conditions, there is a potential exposure of the workers to all the chemicals as well as the inhabitants of the nearby residential areas.