Affiliations: Biostatistics and Epidemiology Branch, Health Effects
Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA | Environmental and Occupational Health, School of
Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, NE, USA | Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health,
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Luenda E. Charles, PhD, MPH,
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Health Effects
Laboratory Division, Biostatistics and Epidemiology Branch, 1095 Willowdale
Rd., Mail Stop L-4050, Morgantown, WV 26505-2845, USA. Tel.: +1 304 285 5922;
Fax: +1 304 285 6112; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Building cleaners are an important group of workers who experience
diverse occupational hazards resulting in health problems. A review of
epidemiologic studies conducted between 1981 and 2005 was performed using
PubMed and PsychLit, to identify health outcomes and the associated hazards in
the work environment of cleaners. Among 35 studies, respiratory diseases
(n=17) and dermatologic diseases (n=9)
were the most common and were associated with exposure to cleaning agents, wet
work, and rubber latex. The potential for infectious diseases
(n=3) was identified among cleaners in medical laboratories
and was associated with exposure to broken glass and uncapped needles in the
trash. Musculoskeletal disorders (n=5) were associated with
several physical stressors (e.g., awkward postures, prolonged standing) and
psychosocial stressors (e.g., monotonous job, low potential for promotion).
Mental disorders (n=1) were also associated with
psychosocial stressors and societal stigma. Future studies may be enhanced by
better assessment of the specific job exposures of cleaners and implementation
of a prospective design.
Keywords: Occupational exposures, cleaning, housekeeping, respiratory disease, low back pain
