Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are monitored using different biomarkers to assess exposition and efficiency of personal protection equipment. Moreover, informing workers about their exposure levels can induce positive changes in their behaviour and adherence to safety guidelines, thus reducing the exposure in future. Evidence exists that colour-coding the results can improve comprehension and encourage behaviour modification.
Objectives: to assess influence of colour-coded information on workers' internal exposure in subsequent years.
Methods: in a four-year follow-up, we analyzed biomonitoring results trends of 349 coke plant workers, depending on the colour-coded initial information provided. The colours were assigned according to results range: green when the measured concentration was lower than 2.7 µg/g crea., yellow when the concentration was higher than 2.7 µg/g crea. but lower than 4.4 µg/g crea. and red when concentration was higher than 4.4 µg/g crea.
Results: we performed a detailed analysis of biomarker concentration trends. In the group of workers that in 2014 had biomarker concentration below 2.7 µg/g (and hence received green-labelled feedback) one can generally observe an increase of biomarker levels in subsequent years, with 33% (confidence interval (CI) 29% to 38%) average increase each year. Among workers whose results in 2014 were between 2.7 and 4.4 µg/g (yellow group) a moderate decrease of analysed biomarker was observed, at rate of 8% (CI 1% to 13%) per year. For workers with the highest results in 2014 (above 4.4 µg/g, red group) we observed higher rate of biomarker concentration decrease, namely 21% (CI 16% to 25%) per year.
Conclusions: depending on colour coded results, concentrations observed in subsequent years seemed to be affected by colour information. Trends of both directions were observed.
Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: coke plant workers that are under biomonitoring supervision and embraced by information programme.
Objectives: to assess influence of colour-coded information on workers' internal exposure in subsequent years.
Methods: in a four-year follow-up, we analyzed biomonitoring results trends of 349 coke plant workers, depending on the colour-coded initial information provided. The colours were assigned according to results range: green when the measured concentration was lower than 2.7 µg/g crea., yellow when the concentration was higher than 2.7 µg/g crea. but lower than 4.4 µg/g crea. and red when concentration was higher than 4.4 µg/g crea.
Results: we performed a detailed analysis of biomarker concentration trends. In the group of workers that in 2014 had biomarker concentration below 2.7 µg/g (and hence received green-labelled feedback) one can generally observe an increase of biomarker levels in subsequent years, with 33% (confidence interval (CI) 29% to 38%) average increase each year. Among workers whose results in 2014 were between 2.7 and 4.4 µg/g (yellow group) a moderate decrease of analysed biomarker was observed, at rate of 8% (CI 1% to 13%) per year. For workers with the highest results in 2014 (above 4.4 µg/g, red group) we observed higher rate of biomarker concentration decrease, namely 21% (CI 16% to 25%) per year.
Conclusions: depending on colour coded results, concentrations observed in subsequent years seemed to be affected by colour information. Trends of both directions were observed.
Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: coke plant workers that are under biomonitoring supervision and embraced by information programme.
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