Cement dust exposure and acute lung function: A cross shift study

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Research Article

Zeyede K Zeleke¹  Bente E Moen²  Magne Bråtveit² 

[1] Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Overlege Danielsens Hus, Årstadveien 21, N-5020, Bergen, Norway;Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Bergen, Kalfarveien 31, N-5018, Bergen, Norway;Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Bergen, Kalfarveien 31, N-5018, Bergen, Norway;

关键词: Peak Expiratory Flow;    Dust Exposure;    Cement Factory;    Total Dust;    Respirable Dust;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2466-10-19

 received in 2010-01-05, accepted in 2010-04-14,  发布年份 2010

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundFew studies have been carried out on acute effects of cement dust exposure. This study is conducted to investigate the associations between current "total" dust exposure and acute respiratory symptoms and respiratory function among cement factory workers.MethodsA combined cross-sectional and cross-shift study was conducted in Dire Dawa cement factory in Ethiopia. 40 exposed production workers from the crusher and packing sections and 20 controls from the guards were included. Personal "total" dust was measured in the workers' breathing zone and peak expiratory flow (PEF) was measured for all selected workers before and after the shift. When the day shift ended, the acute respiratory symptoms experienced were scored and recorded on a five-point Likert scale using a modified respiratory symptom score questionnaire.ResultsThe highest geometric mean dust exposure was found in the crusher section (38.6 mg/m3) followed by the packing section (18.5 mg/m3) and the guards (0.4 mg/m3). The highest prevalence of respiratory symptoms for the high exposed workers was stuffy nose (85%) followed by shortness of breath (47%) and "sneezing" (45%). PEF decreased significantly across the shift in the high exposed group. Multiple linear regression showed a significant negative association between the percentage cross-shift change in PEF and total dust exposure. The number of years of work in high-exposure sections and current smoking were also associated with cross-shift decrease in PEF.ConclusionsTotal cement dust exposure was related to acute respiratory symptoms and acute ventilatory effects. Implementing measures to control dust and providing adequate personal respiratory protective equipment for the production workers are highly recommended.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Zeleke et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2010