Effects of occupational exposures and smoking on lung function in tile factory workers

Purpose  

The aims of this study were to investigate the relations of occupational exposures in tile industry to lung function and to evaluate potential interaction between smoking and tile dust exposure containing silica.     

Chronic respiratory symptoms among workers at a limestone factory in Zambia

Limestone processing is a global industry, but few studies have assessed respiratory health among limestone workers. At a limestone factory in Zambia, the authors studied 70 high-exposed workers from the production department, 40 medium-exposed from engineering, and 30 low-exposed from administration. A modified British Medical Research Council respiratory questionnaire was used for recording chronic respiratory symptoms. The prevalence of symptoms was highest among the production workers. After adjusting for age, smoking, previous jobs, and past respiratory diseases, the production workers still had a significantly increased relative risk for cough day and night, cough 4 to 6 times daily in a month, and cough with sputum. The results indicate that exposure to limestone dust is associated with increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms. Until newer technology is installed, proper use of personal protective equipments should be emphasized.     

Dust exposure and respiratory symptoms among cement factory workers in the United Arab Emirates

This study was conducted in a cement factory in the United Arab Emirates to assess cement dust exposure and its relationship to respiratory symptoms among workers. A total of 149 exposed and 78 unexposed workers participated in this cross-sectional study. Information on demographic and respiratory symptoms was collected by questionnaire. Personal total dust levels were determined by the gravimetric method. Concentration of the total dust ranged between 4.20 mg/m(3) in the crushers and 15.20 mg/m(3) in the packaging areas, and exceeded the exposure limit in the packaging and raw mill areas. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher among the exposed workers, but the difference from that of unexposed workers was statistically significant only for cough (19.5%; OR=4.5; 95%CI=1.5-13.2), and phlegm (14.8%; OR=13.3; 95%CI=1.8-100.9). Cough and phlegm were found to be related to exposure to dust, cumulative dust and smoking habit, while chronic bronchitis was related to smoking habit. The few factory workers (19.5%) who used masks all the time had a lower prevalence rate of respiratory symptoms than those not using them. High dust level was the only variable that influenced the workers to use the mask all the time. It is recommended that control measures be adopted to reduce the dust and workers should be encouraged to use respiratory protection devices during their working time.     

建筑陶瓷工人呼吸道症状的危险因素分析

目的了解佛山市南庄镇建筑陶瓷工人职业病危害因素情况。方法以3家建筑陶瓷企业289名接触粉尘的工人为调查对象,了解工人的人口学资料、生活习惯、作业情况、工作环境、防护用具的使用情况、呼吸系统症状等指标,进行单因素分析和非条件多因素logistic回归分析。结果单因素分析:工龄、工种、吸烟、使用电风扇、使用局部通风排气设备对呼吸道症状的影响有统计学意义(P<0.05)。非条件logistic回归分析结果显示,工龄、吸烟、使用电风扇是呼吸道症状发病的危险因素。局部通风排气设备是呼吸道症状发病的保护性因素。结论工龄长、吸烟、使用电风扇是建筑陶瓷工人呼吸道症状发病的危险因素,使用局部通风排气设备是呼吸道症状发病的保护性因素。     

A survey of respiratory symptoms and lung function in ferrochromium and ferrosilicon workers

Summary Lung function and the prevalence of generalized obstructive lung diseases (GOLD) were studied in three groups of electrofurnace workers in a ferrochromium and ferrosilicon-producing plant. When compared with an internal reference group forced vital capacity was reduced in all groups. Compared with an external reference group the prevalence of GOLD was increased in all three groups. It is known that traces of chromates are present in the working atmosphere at the plant. No connection between the presence of chromates and GOLD could be documented. It is suggested that the documented adverse effects are due to high levels of total dust, possibly with an additional effect due to exposure to amorphus silica dust.     

Byssinosis, respiratory symptoms and spirometric lung function tests in Tanzanian sisal workers

ABSTRACT Byssinosis and other respiratory symptoms and acute and chronic changes in FVC and FEV_1·0 were investigated in 77 workers in sisal spinning and 83 workers in sisal brushing departments in six Tanzanian sisal factories. Although the prevalence of byssinosis in spinning departments was found to be low (5·2%), it was very high in brushing departments (48·2%). Workers in brushing were exposed to sisal dust for a significantly longer period (11·77 ± 7·3 years) compared to workers exposed to sisal in spinning (2·85 ± 2·56 years). Although the number of smokers in brushing (42%) was similar to that in spinning (37%), smokers were more prone to byssinosis than were non- or ex-smokers after standardisation for duration of exposure. We were unable to measure dust levels in this study, but dust levels in spinning and brushing are cited from previous studies. These confirm our impression that the dust level in spinning is higher than that in an average cotton carding department and far higher in brushing than in spinning. Acute falls in FVC and FEV_1·0 were found during the work shift. The extent of the fall in FEV_1·0 correlated well with the severity of byssinosis; 75% of the workers with grade II byssinosis and 33% of those with grade ½ + I were found to have acute falls in FEV_1·0 greater than 0·2 litres. However some workers, 10% in spinning and 33% in brushing, who denied symptoms of byssinosis, were also found to have acute falls in FEV_1·0. Some workers had slight or severe chronic ventilatory impairment from dust (FEV_1·0 less than 80%, or less than 60% of the respective predicted values), and these workers were mostly from the brushing department. The prevalence of chronic cough and chronic bronchitis was found to be negligible in workers in the spinning and in the brushing departments: 9·6% had a chronic cough and 12% had chronic bronchitis. It is concluded that a high prevalence of byssinosis associated with chronic and acute changes in FVC and FEV_1·0 occurs in the brushing departments of sisal factories, and that this is related to lengthy exposure, high dust level and smoking.     

Ventilatory capacity and respiratory symptoms in hemp-processing workers

The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and changes in ventilatory capacity were studied in 84 female (mills A and B) and 27 male hemp workers employed in textile mills. Forty-nine women and 30 men from a non-dusty industry served as controls. A significantly higher prevalence of almost all chronic respiratory symptoms was found in exposed female workers compared to controls. For men the differences were significant for nasal catarrh and sinusitis. A high prevalence of byssinosis was found among female workers in both mills (A = 47.8%); B = 57.9%) as well as in male workers (66.7%). Statistically significant acute across work shift reductions in ventilatory capacity were found for all measurements in female and male hemp workers (P greater than 0.01) varying from 7.1% for FEV1 to 15.1% for FEF50. Measured Monday baseline values before the work shift were significantly lower than expected for hemp workers being particularly reduced for FEF25 and FEF50. The data suggest that exposure to hemp dust is a major risk factor for the development of occupational lung disease.     

接触垃圾粉尘工人呼吸系统症状与肺功能改变的探讨

目的探讨城市马路清扫工人的呼吸系统症状发生率和肺通气功能状况。方法采用美国胸科协会制订的标准化的呼吸系统症状询问表和肺功能测试方法,对50名马路清扫工人和50名对照工人进行调查和肺功能测试。结果接尘组咳嗽、咯痰、胸闷、气短等症状阳性率及慢性支气管炎患病率均明显高于对照组,接尘组用力肺活量(FVC)、1秒用力呼气容积(FEV1)、1秒率(FEV1/FVC)、最大通气量(MVV)、最大呼气流速(PEF)、最大呼气中期流速(MMFF)及75%、50%、25%肺活量时呼气流速(V75、V50、V25)等肺功能各项指标的实测值占预计值的百分数均较对照组显著降低,肺功能各项指标异常率较对照组均显著增高,具有显著或非常显著的统计学意义。结论垃圾粉尘对作业工人肺功能存在较大影响,提示应加强对作业工人劳动防护。     

Pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in potash workers

Over 94% of the workers in each of four Saskatchewan potash mines participated in a respiratory health surveillance program that included a questionnaire and pulmonary function tests. Compared with a nonexposed control group, potash workers had higher prevalences of cough, dyspnea, and chronic bronchitis but better pulmonary function. Prevalences of symptoms and pulmonary function abnormalities were similar among workers at the four mines tested and at the various job locations. Potash dust, diesel fumes, and other air contaminants may have an irritant effect that leads to the increased prevalences of cough and chronic bronchitis. Although we found no adverse effects of the potash mine environment on pulmonary function, these findings reflect a healthy worker effect or some selection process that makes the potash workers appear healthier in a cross-sectional study.     

X-ray findings, lung function, and respiratory symptoms in black South African vermiculite workers

Health effects have been documented among American vermiculite workers who mined and processed vermiculite contaminated with amphibole asbestos, viz., tremolite-actinolite. Workers mining and processing South Africa vermiculite (N = 172), which contains very little asbestos, underwent x-ray examination and lung function testing and completed a respiratory symptom questionnaire. The vermiculite workers were compared with other workers involved in the mining or refining of copper. Only two of the vermiculite workers showed evidence of small opacities of 1/0 or more (according to the ILO 1980 classification); lung function was comparable with the other groups of workers, and there was no excess of respiratory symptoms among the vermiculite workers. It is concluded that workers exposed to vermiculite that is minimally contaminated with asbestos are probably not at risk for pneumoconiosis, lung function impairment, or respiratory symptoms. It is likely that the health effects observed in other studies of vermiculite workers are the result of concomitant asbestos exposure. A risk of mesothelioma caused by the fiber content of the vermiculite cannot be excluded by this study.     

Respiratory symptoms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among cement factory workers

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed chronic respiratory symptoms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among workers exposed to cement dust at a Tanzanian cement factory. METHODS: A total of 120 exposed workers and 107 controls participated in this cross-sectional investigation. Information on demographics, occupational history, chronic respiratory symptoms, smoking habits, and use of respiratory protection equipment was collected by questionnaire. Ventilatory function testing and measurement of personal total dust exposure were also carried out. COPD was diagnosed for workers with chronic bronchitis who also had spirometric airflow obstruction. Chronic respiratory symptoms and COPD were correlated with cumulative total dust exposure and adjusted for age, pack-years, and education. RESULTS: The exposed workers had more chronic cough [odds ratio (OR) 4.5, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.9-10.4], chronic sputum production (OR 10.8, 95% CI 4.4-26.4.), dyspnea (OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.9-15.2), work-related shortness of breath (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.6-14.2), and chronic bronchitis (OR 5.5, 95% CI 2.0-15.3) than the controls. Chronic cough, chronic sputum production, dyspnea, work-related shortness of breath, and chronic bronchitis were significantly related to cumulative dust exposure of 20.0-99.9 and > or = 100.0 versus <20.0 mg/m3-years. The prevalence of COPD was higher for the exposed group (18.8%) than for the controls (4.8%). The odds ratio for COPD was significantly increased for cumulative dust exposure, > or = 100.0 versus <20.0 mg/m3-years (OR 11.2, 95% CI 2.2-56.0). CONCLUSIONS: Cement workers seem to be at high risk of developing chronic respiratory symptoms and COPD, probably caused by cumulative total dust exposure independent of smoking habits.     

Respiratory symptoms and lung function in hemp workers

Respiratory symptoms and abnormalities of lung function were studied in 84 female and 27 male hemp workers employed in two textile mills (A and B) processing soft hemp (C sativa). In mill A 46 women and 27 men were investigated and 38 female workers were studied in mill B. Forty nine women and 30 men from a non-dusty industry served as controls. A significantly higher prevalence of almost all chronic respiratory symptoms was found in female hemp workers when compared to control workers. Among the men these differences were significant for nasal catarrh and sinusitis. A high prevalence of byssinosis was found among female hemp workers in both mills (group A, 47.8%; group B, 57.9%) as well as in the male workers (66.7%). Statistically significant across shift reductions in lung function were found for all ventilatory capacity measurements in female and male hemp workers varying from 7.1% for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to 15.1% for flow rates at 50% vital capacity (FEF50). Measured Monday baseline values before the work shift were significantly lower than expected for hemp workers, being particularly reduced for FEF25 and FEF50. The data suggest that occupational exposure to hemp dust is a significant risk factor for the development of acute and chronic lung disease in workers employed in this textile industry.     

焦炉逸散物对作业工人肺功能及呼吸系统症状影响的配对研究

目的　探讨焦炉逸散物对作业工人肺功能及呼吸系统症状的影响。方法　按吸烟指数、年龄、身高和体重配对 ,对焦炉工和对照组进行问卷调查、肺功能测定和焦炉逸散物累积接触剂量 (指数 )估算。结果　接触组肺功能FVC、FEV1 0 、MMF、FEF2 5% 、FEF50 % 、FEF75% 和各项肺功能实测值占预计值百分比均明显低于对照组 (P <0 0 5或P<0 0 1)。焦炉工咳嗽、咳痰阳性率随累积接触剂量的增加而升高 (P <0 0 5 ) ;累积接触剂量≥ 60 0 0时 ,各项肺功能指标异常率明显高于对照组 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　焦炉逸散物可引起肺功能的降低和呼吸系统异常症状发生率升高。     

Acute respiratory symptoms among sisal workers in Tanzania

Background Few studies have focused on respiratory health effectsamong sisal workers. Aim To report on the prevalence of acute respiratory symptomsamong sisal processors. Methods We interviewed 163 dust-exposed brushing and decorticationworkers and 31 low-exposed security workers from six sisal estatesin Tanzania using a modified symptom score questionnaire todetermine the prevalence of acute respiratory symptoms duringwork. Groups were compared using chi-square tests, Fisher'sexact tests, t-tests and logistic regression, adjusting forconfounding factors. Results After the first working day of the week, 73% of thebrushing workers reported dry cough, 66% sneezing, 65% productivecough, 63% running nose and 34% stuffy nose. Brushing workershad a significantly higher prevalence of these symptoms thandecortication workers. Brushing and decortication workers hadsignificantly more dry cough and sneezing than the control groupof security workers, when adjusting for age, smoking, past respiratorydiseases and residence. Conclusion Processors of sisal fibre have a high prevalenceof acute respiratory symptoms. More detailed studies on workand health in sisal estates are needed, including exposure studies.     

Interval censoring in longitudinal data of respiratory symptoms in aluminium potroom workers: A comparison of methods

In a longitudinal study of workers in seven Norwegian aluminium plants, the time to development of asthmatic symptoms could only be determined to lie in the interval between two consecutive health examinations. In a previous paper we analysed the data by survival techniques for interval censored data. In the present paper the data are reanalysed in two ways and compared to the previous analyses. First, it is assumed that occurrence of symptoms coincided with reporting, in which case the data can be analysed as right censored. Secondly, the follow-up times are completely disregarded and the effects of covariates are analysed on the binary outcomes of symptoms. Comparing the estimated effects of the covariates between the three approaches, only minor differences were found. However, the estimates on incidence were strongly influenced by whether the data were analysed as right or interval censored.     

Respiratory symptoms and lung function in hemp workers.

Respiratory symptoms and abnormalities of lung function were studied in 84 female and 27 male hemp workers employed in two textile mills (A and B) processing soft hemp (C sativa). In mill A 46 women and 27 men were investigated and 38 female workers were studied in mill B. Forty nine women and 30 men from a non-dusty industry served as controls. A significantly higher prevalence of almost all chronic respiratory symptoms was found in female hemp workers when compared to control workers. Among the men these differences were significant for nasal catarrh and sinusitis. A high prevalence of byssinosis was found among female hemp workers in both mills (group A, 47.8%; group B, 57.9%) as well as in the male workers (66.7%). Statistically significant across shift reductions in lung function were found for all ventilatory capacity measurements in female and male hemp workers varying from 7.1% for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) to 15.1% for flow rates at 50% vital capacity (FEF50). Measured Monday baseline values before the work shift were significantly lower than expected for hemp workers, being particularly reduced for FEF25 and FEF50. The data suggest that occupational exposure to hemp dust is a significant risk factor for the development of acute and chronic lung disease in workers employed in this textile industry.     

Respiratory symptoms and lung function in wool textile workers

Our study investigated a group of 216 wool textile workers (158 women and 58 men). Respiratory symptoms were assessed by questionnaire in wool textile workers and in 130 not exposed (control) workers. Ventilatory capacity was measured in wool workers by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves on Monday before and after the work shift. Forced vital capacity (FVC), 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV₁), and flow rates at 50% and the last 25% of the vital capacity (FEF₅₀, FEF₂₅) were measured on the MEFV curves. Analysis of the data demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms in wool workers than in controls. being the highest in wool workers for nasal catarrh (M: 63.8%; F: 44.9%) and for sinusitis (M: 62.1%; F: 43.0%). A high prevalence of acute symptoms, associated with the work shift, was also noted in wool workers. Exposure to wool dust caused significant across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity varying from 1.4% for FEV, to 9.1% for FEF₅₀. Textile workers exposed to wool for > 10 years in the workplace had similar across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity tests as those with shorter exposures. In a large number of these wool workers, FEF₅₀ and FEF₂₅ were below 70% of predicted normal values. Smokers had acute and chronic lung function changes similar to those of nonsmokers, indicating that smoking did not account for all the respiratory effects seen in wool processing workers. Our data suggest that dust exposures in wool textile mills may be associated with the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function.