A research team has found that frequent exposure to laboratory chemicals and low consumption of antioxidant-rich foods are jointly associated with a greater likelihood of self-reported health symptoms among young scientists. Survey participants who frequently handled chemicals and consumed few antioxidant-rich foods had nearly three times the odds of reporting fatigue, headaches, pallor, or easy bruising compared with their less-exposed, better-nourished peers. The study also showed that stronger safety knowledge was linked to better protective practices.
Laboratory training is essential in chemistry and biomedical science education, but it routinely exposes students to organic solvents, acids, disinfectants, and other potentially hazardous reagents. Previous occupational research has linked repeated chemical exposure to physiological stress and nonspecific health complaints, while nutritional studies suggest that antioxidant-rich foods may support the body's protective mechanisms. University students, however, often consume insufficient fruits and vegetables and may follow laboratory safety procedures inconsistently. Moreover, chemical exposure and dietary behavior have generally been examined separately, with most studies focusing on industrial employees or healthcare workers rather than students. Consequently, evidence remains limited on how environmental exposure, nutrition, and safety behavior are collectively associated with the health experiences of young laboratory scientists.
A study (DOI: 10.48130/newcontam-0026-0016 ) published in New Contaminants on 11 June 2026 by Kanayo Samuel Okonji's team, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, reports that frequent chemical exposure, low dietary antioxidant intake, and weaker safety practices were independently associated with increased reporting of nonspecific health symptoms.
The researchers conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey involving 426 undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, and medical laboratory science programs at selected universities in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Participants were selected through stratified random sampling, and all were actively involved in laboratory practical work. A structured, self-administered questionnaire collected information on chemical handling, dietary intake, safety knowledge, protective behavior, and symptoms potentially related to oxidative stress. The instrument was reviewed by occupational-health and hematology experts, pilot-tested among 25 students, and demonstrated acceptable internal consistency. Chemical exposure was classified as frequent when participants handled laboratory chemicals daily or weekly. Antioxidant intake was categorized from the reported weekly consumption of fruits, vegetables, and other antioxidant-rich foods. The researchers analyzed the responses using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and adjusted binary logistic regression. Among the respondents, 78.6% reported frequent chemical exposure. Acids were the most commonly encountered chemicals, reported by 71.0% of participants, followed by organic solvents at 64.5% and disinfectants at 58.7%. Fatigue was reported by 49.3%, pallor by 28.0%, recurrent headaches by 22.3%, and easy bruising by 17.1%. Symptoms were reported by 62.7% of frequently exposed participants, compared with 35.2% of those with less frequent exposure. After adjustment for other factors, frequent chemical exposure was associated with 2.84 times greater odds of reporting symptoms, while low antioxidant intake was associated with 2.31 times greater odds. Participants combining frequent exposure with low antioxidant intake showed the highest likelihood, with adjusted odds 2.96 times higher than the reference group. Moderate or poor safety practices were also associated with increased symptom reporting. Although 57.0% demonstrated good safety knowledge, only 46.0% reported good compliance with preventive practices. Importantly, the statistical interaction between diet and chemical exposure was not significant, meaning that the findings indicate a combined association rather than a synergistic effect.
Overall, the study highlights the need to address laboratory safety, dietary behavior, and student wellbeing as interconnected elements of academic occupational health. Because the research relied on self-reported questionnaire data and did not measure chemical concentrations, biomarkers, or clinical outcomes, it cannot establish causation or confirm oxidative stress. Future longitudinal studies using exposure monitoring, validated dietary assessments, biochemical markers, and clinical examinations will be necessary. Nevertheless, the findings support regular safety education, consistent supervision, adequate protective equipment, effective ventilation, and greater awareness of healthy eating among laboratory users.
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References
DOI
OrigInal Source URL
https://doi.org/10.48130/newcontam-0026-0016
About New Contaminants
New Contaminants (e-ISSN 3069-7603) is a multidisciplinary platform for communicating advances in fundamental and applied research on emerging contaminants. It is dedicated to serving as an innovative, efficient and professional platform for researchers in the field of new contaminants research around the world to deliver findings from this rapidly expanding field of science.
New Contaminants
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Combined effects of dietary and laboratory chemical exposures with self-reported oxidative stress-related symptoms among young scientists: implications for environmental safety in chemical laboratory settings
11-Jun-2026
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.