Health Risk Related to Chemicals Used in Small Scale Industries in the Informal Sector in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Objective: Small scale industries are growing very fast employing majority of the urban poor. Mishandling of chemicals is common in these industries and most of them are toxic. The aim of this study was to assess the type of chemicals used in small-scale industries (SSI) and factors associated with mishandling of chemicals by workers.
Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to interview 300 workers in 90 small scale industries chosen at random.
Results: The study revealed that 25 different types of chemicals were being used, ranging from heavy metals to acids and solvents. Most of the workers were handling toxic chemicals without using personal protective equipment. Low level of awareness among employers and workers on health hazards related to handling of toxic chemicals and poor hygienic practices were the main factors associated with high exposure to chemicals. Protection of the workers from those exposures would be possible if only a policy addressing SSI in the informal sector is formulated. The policy will give power to other sectors dealing with occupational health and safety of the workers to become actively involved in this sector. Allocation of permanent plots for SSI would give workers and their employers an opportunity to get loans from NGOS and the Government so as to improve water supply and sanitation as one way of preventing the spread of the toxic substances to the nearby community.
Conclusion: Workers in SSI are exposed to toxic chemicals and appropriate measures are recommended.

Keywords
Small-scale industries, informal sector, chemicals, awareness, hygienic practices, Tanzania.