[Morbidity with temporary disability of gas-cylinder bus drivers]

Running of gas-cylinder buses (GCB) fueled with liquefied propane-butane mixture added with ethyl mercaptan odorant leads to undesirable medical and social consequences. Statistically proved was considerably higher morbidity rate among GCS drivers in comparison with petrol-fueled buses' drivers. A questionnaire technique was used to show that most GCB drivers (from 61.8% to 98.2% in different bus depots) had been suffering from the irritating smell of the gaseous fuel and consequent headaches, dizziness, slow reactivity and general weakness, specifically by the end of the working shift. The result of the study proved the necessity to stop further running of GCB until technical improvement of the equipment and normal working conditions for GCB drivers have been attained.