Abstract

Manual screen printing is a growing printing market in Cameroon. This activity presents risks due to the substances that workers are exposed to. The low level of information on the toxicological risk to which screen-printing workers are exposed are hidden the hazards. We conducted this study to identifying products used (inks, thinners, additives), and related information: compositions, toxicological information, storage conditions, quantities used, usage frequency; which enabled us to calculate risk score relating to each product. This has been done via a descriptive cross-sectional study approved by the Institutional Committee of Ethics and Research of the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaoundé 1. To achieve this objective, the study was conducted in 91 screen printing workshops, where a total of 118 participants answered all the questions on the form. The survey phase consisted of questionnaire administered to each screen printer. Inks, thinners and additives used in screen printing were mainly made up of toxic even carcinogenic substances and highly volatile solvents. Approximately 80% of these products had a risk score of medium to very high risk. According to screen printers’ statements, respiratory system seemed to be the most exposed and affected system, as a consequence of the practice of this profession.There is a huge need to implement prevention measures with, among other things, a health education program for screen printers and continuous research into the toxic effects associated with the practice of screen printing could reduce this risk to its lowest level, and protect public health amongst this population.

Keywords

screen printing, toxicological risks, screen printing products