Community health worker intervention to reduce worker exposure to volatile organic compounds in small business auto and beauty shops in a marginalized community: A cluster randomized controlled trial

Authors: Shannon L. Gutenkunst ,Nathan Lothrop,Carolina Quijada,Marvin Chaires,Imelda Cortez,Flor Sandoval,Jella Balgos,Emma V. Gallardo,Pedro Flores Gallardo,Sam Sneed,Jenna K. Honan,Karla Bayless,Xavier Chaidez,Cristobal Reyes Cuevas,Jacqueline L. Larson,Fernanda J. Camargo,Denise Moreno Ramírez,Maia Ingram,Scott Carvajal,Dean Billheimer,Ann Marie Wolf,Paloma I. Beamer

This study examined whether community health workers could help small auto repair and beauty shops reduce workers’ exposure to harmful chemicals in the air. While the results were not statistically significant, beauty shops showed a noticeable reduction in chemical exposure after the intervention, whereas auto repair shops did not. The study also found that beauty shops had much higher levels of air pollutants and poor ventilation, highlighting the need for better workplace safety measures. Overall, the findings suggest that community health workers may help improve workplace health and safety, particularly in beauty salons serving underserved communities.