Respiratory and nonrespiratory morbidity in a titanium oxide paint factory in Nigeria

A study of 67 subjects in a small titanium oxide paint factory in Nigeria showed 50-54% frequency for airway symptoms, 20-40% for neurological symptoms, and 10-27% for other symptoms. The symptoms were well correlated with exposure (p less than .05) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs). The directly exposed subjects had likelihood odds ratios of 5 to 17 of presenting symptoms compared to controls. The PFT deficit, relative to the expected value, was significantly higher for those with airway symptoms than for those of other symptom categories (p less than .005). There were 28 (42%) cases of restrictive lung impairment. Exposure to cotton dust had confounding influence on the PFT of subjects previously exposed. Smoking rate was very low. These findings indicate the need for worker protection in a manufacturing plant in Nigeria.