MANAGEMENT OF USED ENGINE OIL IN AUTO AND MOTOR REPAIR GARAGES IN OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASO

Environmental contamination by used engine oil is common in developing countries, causing various occupational health hazards. In this study, a structured questionnaire was administered through personal interviews on the common practices of disposal of used engine oil among motor and auto garage workers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Results showed that the majority (30%) of the garage workers have never had any form of formal education. While most of them (93.33%) have never had a training on handling and disposal of used engine oil. Among the respondents, 96.7% indicated they do not use any personal protective equipment when handling the used engine oil, and 93.33% do not change their clothes after handling used engine oil. The awareness among garage workers regarding the health and environmental impacts of used engine oil is very primitive. Only 64.17% of respondents are aware that used engine oil could adversely affect human health, but are not aware of its carcinogenic and mutagenic potentials. Results obtained from this survey emphasis the need to take garage workers? education as priority. Furthermore, there is a need to encourage research into the occupational health risk and the impacts of used engine oil on soil microorganisms.