Abstract:
Virtually, all occupations to some extent have inherent ris
ks. The objective of the study was
to assess the role of arsenic (As) in universities’ instructional laboratories indoor settled
dust as an occupational carcinogenic risk medium.
Dust samples were thus collected from
Moi University and University of Eldore
t within Uasin Gishu County Kenya, according to
standard procedure and As analysis determined using the S1 Titan X
-
ray fluorescence
(XRF) spectrometer. Concentrations ranged from 0.04
-
349.24 mg/kg while mean As
concentrations ranged from 0.424
-
131.73 mg/kg
at ETD and RMD stations, respectively.
Mean As concentrations varied significantly and decreased in the order of RMD > EWW >
RMR > MC > REW > MSM > EC > ECA> MMW > ETD.
Comparison with acceptable
ELCR (1 x 10
-
4
-
1 x 10
-
6
) levels indicated that over 50% of
the stations were significantly (95
% (CI); p < 0.05) exposed to As CTE and RME carcinogenic risks for both men and women.
RMD work
-
unit posed the highest risk for men and women, respectively. The findings
indicate that employees were theoretically expose
d to inherent As carcinogenic risks as a
result of their work predisposition. The study recommends
that appropriate biomarkers such
as total urine arsenic be used to ascertain the magnitude of exposure and for occupational
exposure monitoring.
