ABSTRACT
Four hundred and seventy six workers who are exposed to tobacco dust and 112 nonexposed workers from the Cigarette Factory No. (1), Yangon were interviewed for respiratory symptoms and occupational history. General clinical examination was also done and recorded. Anthropometric measurements (height and weight) were taken and ventilatory functions in the form of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1.0), and forced expiratory flow (FEF 25-75
) were tested. Total and respirable dust concentrations were measured at different job areas. The total dust concentration ranged from 3.1 to 12.78 mg/ m-3 and respirable dust concentration ranged from 1.72to 5.5 mg/m-3 in the production site. Higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms and chronic bron-chitis were found in the exposed than the nonexposed workers. Total dust exposure had significant effect on FEV. 1.0 (p< 0.01) and FEF25-75
( p < 0.05), and respirable dust exposure had significant effect on FEV 1.0 (p<0.025) of females. Mean lung function values of FEV 1.0 and FEF25-75
of exposed female nonsmokers were significantly lower than the nonexposed (p< 0.005 and < 0.05 respectively). Thus in the present study, chronic respiratory effects of occupational exposure to tobacco dust was observed only in females.
Subject(s)
Occupational Exposure , Respiratory System , Dust , Nicotiana , MyanmarABSTRACT
Ventilatory functions, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory valume in one second (FEV 1.0) and forced mid expiratory flow (FEF25-75
) of the 476 workers who were exposed to tobacco dust from the Cigarette Factory No. (1), Yangon were tested. Total and respirable dust concentration were measured at different job areas. The total dust concentration ranged from 3.1 to 12.78 mgm/ m3 and respirable dust concentration ranged from 1.72 to 5.5 mgm ./ mg in the production site. A significant trend towards a decrease in FEV 1.0 values according to increasing dust exposure and work duration (p< 0.05) was found among the exposed famale workers. Thus in this study, dose-response relationship between the tobacco dust exposure and ventilatory function impairment was observed in female workers.
Subject(s)
Occupational Exposure , Nicotiana , DustABSTRACT
Urinary excretion of mercury was determined in 32 workers of Chemical plant of No. (1) Pulp and Paper Mill in Sittaung. For comparison, it was also measured in 10 Clerical Staff (nonexposed) of the said factory and 10 Technician Grade I students of Health Department. Signs and symptoms of chronic metallic mercury poisoning were looked for in all subjects. The air concentration of mercury vapour at different times of the working hours in the Chlorine PLant was measured. The mean + or - SD urinary mercury excretion was significantly higher in exposed workers 59.22+ or -22.44 ugm/L than non exposed workers of the factory (29.3+ or -8.64) (p <0.001). Comparison of the mean + or - SD urinary mercury levels of the nonexposed workers of the factory and technician students (19.4+ or -8.59) indicated that the former had significantly higher mercury excretion (p < 0.001). There was an increasing trend of mercury excretion with increased duration of exposure (r = 0.54; p <0.05). Signs and symptoms of chronic mercury poisoning were not found in any subject. The concentration of mercury vapour in Chlorine Plant during the working hours was found to 0.1 to 0.25 mgm/m of air (2 to 5 times TLV).
Subject(s)
Mercury Poisoning , Occupational HealthABSTRACT
Selected ventilatory functions, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were measured in 637 normal healthy Burmese male workers involved in moderate work; multiple regression equations for FEV1 and FVC were derived and prediction normograms were constructed.