ABSTRACT
Introduction: There is a paucity of data on the respiratory health status of workers in bottling factories in Benin City, Nigeria. Such data will help to drive future studies and influence policy development on occupational health and safety in the country. This study assesses the respiratory symptoms and spirometric indices of exposed workers and controls. Methods: Respiratory symptoms and spirometric parameters of 18 workers on routine mandatory annual lung screening were assessed using the modified MRC (Medical Research Council) questionnaire and spirometer respectively, according to the European Respiratory Society and American Thoracic Society (ERS/ATS) guidelines. Results: The mean age of workers was 35.1 ± 6.7 years. Workers and controls were similar in age, sex, BMI (Body Mass Index) and health status (p > 0.05). Respiratory symptoms were significantly higher among workers compared to controls. Overall, the result was statistically significant in the variables of wheeze in a smoky or dusty environment, presence of at least one respiratory symptom, better symptoms at weekends and better symptoms during holidays (p < 0.05). In particular, 6 (33.3%) exposed workers had wheeze in a smoky or dusty environment, 9 (50.0%) exposed workers reported at least one respiratory symptom compared with 2 (11.1%) controls, 5 (27.8%) had better symptoms at weekends, and 7 (38.9%) had better symptoms at holidays (p < 0.05). Generally, the reported frequency of respiratory symptoms among exposed workers were: cough (22.2%), sputum production (5.6%), breathlessness (11.1%) and wheeze (44.4%). Similarly, workers had significantly lower spirometric indices than controls, particularly in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of FVC (FEF 25â»75%) measurements. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of adverse respiratory health effects among bottling factory workers which requires further investigation.
Subject(s)
Dust/analysis , Food Industry/statistics & numerical data , Occupational Diseases/epidemiology , Occupational Exposure/adverse effects , Smoke/adverse effects , Adult , Cough , Female , Health Status , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nigeria/epidemiology , Respiratory Function Tests , Respiratory Sounds , Smoke/analysisABSTRACT
Carbon monoxide poisoning pose significant public health consequence and management can be challenging in resource-poor countries. This is a commentary of a 40 year-old farmer with a five day history of loss of consciousness following overnight inhalation of carbon monoxide. Neuroimaging and electrophysiologic studies showed bilateral internal capsule and myocardial infarction. He had unsuccessful treatment with normobaric oxygen therapy in the absence of hyperbaric oxygen. This case depicts the brain-heart connection in carbon monoxide poisoning and highlights the challenges of management in a resource poor setting.
La intoxicación por monóxido de carbono representa un significativo problema para la salud pública de cualquier país y su manejo puede resultar en un gran desafío en los países emergentes, con escasez de recursos para la atención de este tipo de pacientes. Se presenta el caso de un agricultor de 40 años de edad, con antecedentes de cinco días previos de pérdida de la conciencia, posterior a la inhalación de monóxido de carbono. Las evaluaciones realizadas: tomografía axial computada de cerebro y electrocardiograma, mostraron la presencia concomitante de infarto cerebral, con compromiso de ambas cápsulas internas e Infarto de miocardio, respectivamente. Se inició tratamiento con oxígeno normobárico, falleciendo el paciente dentro de las 24 horas posteriores a su admisión. Este caso representa la conexión en la afectación de corazón y cerebro, en intoxicaciones por monóxido de carbono y sirve para destacar los desafíos de su manejo en entornos con limitaciones de recursos.
