The impact on traffic behavior in Canada as a result of
COVID-19 is still relatively unknown. However,
it's likely that passenger vehicles will remain the
preferred method of transportation because of the
desire to avoid public transportation and maintain
physical distancing from others.
With the increased number of cars on the roads, there
is also the potential for an increased number of vehicle
collisions. With an increase in collision repairs across
the auto body industry, it's important to consider the
effect of worker exposure to particles produced by the
repair of vehicles.
A dangerous cocktail of particles
in the air.
According to Government of Canada statistics, there
were more than 24,000 employers with at least one
employee or more in establishments for automotive
repair and maintenance in 2019.
1
The profession of the
automotive body worker involves cumulative impacts
on health. For a long time, the focus of analysis
regarding exposures in body shops has been on
automotive coatings and therefore the exposure to
isocyanates only.
2
As important as the prevention of inhalation of solvents
is, it is only the last work step when it comes to the repair
of vehicles. First, there is the sanding of the vehicle
surface and putty for the improvement of the damaged
1
https://www.ic.gc.ca/app/scr/app/cis/businesses-entreprises/8111,
downloaded at 26/05/2020.
2
Bejan, Anca; Brosseau, Lisa M.; Parker, David L.: "Exposure Assessment in Auto
Collision Repair Shops" in Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene,
2011, 8: 401-408 and Enander; Richard T. a.o.: "Lead and Methylene Chloride
Exposures Among Automotive Repair Technicians" in Journal of Occupational
and Environmental Hygiene, 2004, 1: 119-125.
