Occupational Chemical Exposure Assessment Among Laboratory Analysts in Teaching Hospitals in Abuja and Niger State

Laboratory analysts in teaching hospitals routinely handle a diverse range of chemical reagents, biological specimens, and fixatives, creating occupational exposure risks that are poorly characterised in the Nigerian healthcare literature. This study assesses occupational chemical exposure levels and associated health outcomes among laboratory analysts in three teaching hospitals serving Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Niger State, North Central Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was employed, combining personal air monitoring for formaldehyde, xylene, methanol, and acetone using passive sampling badges worn during working shifts, with biological exposure monitoring including urinary metabolites for xylene and formic acid for methanol. A structured occupational health questionnaire captured health symptoms, personal protective equipment use, and workplace hygiene practices from 85 analysts. Results show that formaldehyde exposure in histopathology laboratories exceeded the ACGIH short-term exposure limit in two of three hospitals. Xylene levels in biochemistry sections were within permissible limits, though biological monitoring indicated consistent low-level exposure. Self-reported symptoms of eye irritation, headache, and respiratory irritation were significantly more prevalent in analysts working in anatomy pathology and haematology sections. Personal protective equipment compliance was low, with only 34 percent of analysts consistently wearing appropriate respiratory protection. The study recommends engineering controls including improved local exhaust ventilation, mandatory biological exposure monitoring programmes, and occupational health training for laboratory staff across Nigerian teaching hospitals. Keywords: occupational exposure, laboratory analysts, formaldehyde, teaching hospitals, Abuja