Association between Respirable Dust Exposure and Respiratory Health among Cement Workers

@#Introduction: Cement industry contributes to the major constituent of airborne dust in the atmosphere. This study aims to determine the level of respirable cement dust exposure associated with workers’ respiratory health. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 84 administration workers as the comparative group and 84 manufacturing workers as the exposed group. Method: A set of validated questionnaires was used to obtain some pertained background information as well as respiratory symptoms among the respondents. Personal Air Sampling Pump was used for assessing personal exposure towards cement dust in 8 hours. For lung function performance, a Spirometry test was carried out and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FENO) test was conducted to assess airway inflammation. Results: The median for personal exposure level to respirable dust of manufacturing workers was 2.68 (5.90) mg/ m3 with range 0.351 to 10.60 mg/m3. The lung function abnormality among the manufacturing workers was FVC% (PR=3.82, 95% CI=1.52-9.58) and FEV1% (PR=5.16, 95% CI=1.65-16.10). Cough was reported to occur the most likely among the manufacturing workers (PR=2.40, 95% CI=1.12-5.15). After adjusting the smoking status, the prevalence of phlegm and cough were 35.7% and 29.8% respectively. 16.7% of manufacturing workers recorded a high level of FENO. The increasing exposure to respirable dust significantly reduces the FVC% of manufacturing workers (r=-0.36, p=0.05). Conclusion: The personal exposure to respirable cement dust increases the risk of lung impairment by highly developing respiratory health symptoms, reducing lung function level and increasing the higher level of airway inflammation among highly exposed workers.

Personal noise exposure of workers at Erdenet Mining Corporation / Шинэ санаа Шинэ нээлт

Noise exposure is one of most common health hazards at workplace. But,there is very limited data of about occupational exposure to noise at workplaces in Mongolia. This study evaluated noise exposure among the workers. In pilot study, noise pressure level was measured for 103 Mechanical factory and office workers forfull work shifts by A-weighting scale. Personal noise dosimeters, Etymothic R-200DW7 were used to measure noise level. Average noise pressure levels ofworkers were 87.56 dBA in mechanical factory, 86.29 dBA in mechanical shop and 90.24 dBA in casting shop. Noise levels in the casting shop were exceeded by 1.29-5.24 dB for Recommended Exposure Level (REL).

Assessment of Exposure to PM2.5,CO and O_3 for Elders in a Community in Winter in Beijing Using Microenvironment Measurements and Time-Activity Data / 环境与健康杂志

Objective To estimate the exposure level of PM2.5,CO and O_3 in the elders in a community in Beijing.Methods The concentrations of PM2.5,CO and O_3 in 10 main activity sites of the elders were measured and 24 h time-activity data of 30 elders was collected by recording of activity log paper,Nov.28,2007—Jan.17,2008.Results The 24 h average exposure concentrations of PM2.5,CO and O_3 for the elders were(146.54?6.60)?g/m~3,(2.67?0.18)mg/m~3 and(32.30?2.79)?g/m~3, respectively,there was no significant difference in the exposure level of PM2.5 and O_3 between male and female elders except CO (P

Determinations of personal carbon monoxide exposure and blood carboxyhemoglobin levels in Korea

Determinant factors for personal carbon monoxide (CO) exposures were sought in Korea, where CO poisoning has been a major public health problem due to coal briquette (Yeontan) combustion for space heating and cooking. Personal 24-hr CO exposures of 15 housewives were measured by CO passive samplers on 2 days of the week (Wednesday and Sunday). Blood samples were taken to measure carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) just after the exposure sampling. Average CO exposure and COHb level were 5.6 ppm and 2.4%, respectively. Personal CO exposures as well as COHb levels were significantly increased by the use of Yeontan, especially on a weekday. Carboxyhemoglobin levels were closely related to the time between blood collection and replacement of Yeontan: the closer the blood collection was to replace Yeontan, the higher the COHb levels were. Assuming a background COHb of 1.34%, COHb increased on average by 1.8% with a 24-hr personal CO exposure of 10 ppm. The relationship between CO exposure and COHb level was provided by simultaneous direct measurements in real environment, although a measurement of COHb at the end of exposure could not represent previous 24-hr exposure thoroughly.