Respiratory symptoms and spirometric abnormalities among welders in the welding workplace of the Indian unorganized sector

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Manish Dev ◽  
Arvind Bhardwaj
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Dust Particles ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Unorganized Sector

BACKGROUND: Welding is one of the most hazardous professions across the globe. Several risk factors are associated with Indian unorganized welding units such as welding gases, fumes and dust particles resulting in various respiratory health problems. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to examine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, their associated factors and lung function impairment amongst the welders of the unorganized sector in India. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted across 283 welders of age group 18–55 years from Punjab, India who responded to the interviewer-administrated respiratory symptoms questionnaire. Also, the lung function parameters of 50 male welders (exposed group) and 50 male non-welders (control group) working in the same environment were evaluated. RESULTS: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms such as chronic cough (38.86%), phlegm (38.86%), shortness of breath (33.56%), wheezing (32.15%), chest tightness (36.40%,) and sputum (34.27%) was reported by the welders. The observed mean values of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) and FEV1/FVC ratio of welders were (3.37±0.175), (2.59±0.16) and (76.63±6.16) respectively and that of non-welders were (3.70±0.15), (3.05±0.25) and (82.49±7.62) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The welders were found to be at significant risk of developing pulmonary diseases. Long working hours, low level of education, hazardous working conditions, lack of implementation of safety laws make welders more vulnerable to health risks. The welders of Indian unorganized sector work without any technical training related to welding and safety. Proper orientation sessions about the workplace hazards and to maintain hygiene at their workplace should be organized. Welders must be provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Welders should take proper health check-up and medication to sustain healthiness

scholarly journals Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function among Ethiopian Women in Relation to Household Fuel Use

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mulugeta Tamire ◽  
Adamu Addissie ◽  
Abera Kumie ◽  
Emma Husmark ◽  
Susann Skovbjerg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Solid Fuels ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
European Respiratory Society ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Validated Questionnaire

Exposure to household air pollution has been linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function. This study aims to assess respiratory symptoms and lung function among Ethiopian women in relation to exposure to HAP. We conducted a cross-sectional study among non-smoking women responsible for household cooking. Data was collected on socio-demographic characteristics, respiratory symptoms and risk factors using a validated questionnaire. Spirometry with reversibility testing was performed according to American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society guidelines. We used independent t-test and multivariable logistic regression to compare the means and measure association respectively. A total of 545 women participated in the study out of which 231 (42.3%) performed spirometry with at least three acceptable manoeuvres. Everyone in the rural group and 43% of the urban group were exposed to HAP from solid fuels during cooking. The odds of developing at least one respiratory symptom when compared with those using cleaner fuels are twice as high for women cooking within the living house. We also found significantly lower forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (L) among solid fuels users compared with cleaner energy users. Given the larger population settlement in the rural areas and the use of solid fuel as the only energy source, there is a higher risk of developing chronic respiratory health problems for those women in Ethiopia.

scholarly journals Reduced Lung Function among Workers in Primary Coffee Processing Factories in Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 2415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samson Abaya ◽  
Magne Bråtveit ◽  
Wakgari Deressa ◽  
Abera Kumie ◽  
Bente Moen
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Dust Exposure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Shortness Of Breath ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Work Related

Dust exposure is one of the major risk factors for respiratory health in many workplaces, including coffee factories. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and lung function reduction among workers in Ethiopian primary coffee processing factories, compared to a control group of workers. A total of 115 coffee workers and 110 water bottling workers were involved in this study, from 12 coffee and 3 water bottling factories in Ethiopia, respectively. The chronic respiratory symptoms were assessed using a structured interview, using a standardized questionnaire adopted from the American Thoracic Society (ATS). The lung function tests were performed according to the ATS recommendation for spirometry. The coffee workers had a significantly higher prevalence of coughing, coughing with sputum, breathlessness, work-related shortness of breath, and wheezing compared with the controls. The prevalence ratio of work-related shortness of breath (PR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.6–8.7) and wheezing (PR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.3–8.4) was significantly higher for the coffee workers compared to the controls. The coffee workers in the age groups 28–39 years and ≥40 years, had a significantly lower forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s compared to the controls in the similar age groups. The findings indicated the need for longitudinal studies on the possible effect of coffee dust on respiratory health of coffee production workers.

scholarly journals Lung Function and Respiratory Health of Populations Living Close to Quarry Sites in Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 6068
Author(s):  
Maysaa Nemer ◽  
Rita Giacaman ◽  
Abdullatif Husseini
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Exposed Group ◽  
Dust Exposure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Nasal Allergy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
At Home

Environmental exposure to dust from quarrying activities could pose health dangers to the population living nearby. This study aimed to investigate the health effects of dust exposure on people living close to quarry sites and compared them with those who live far from the quarry sites. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 79 exposed participants, who lived less than 500 m away from the quarry sites, and 79 control participants who lived more than 500 m away. All participants answered a questionnaire on dust exposure at home and health effects, as well as performed a lung function test in which both reported and measured health effects were investigated. People who live in close proximity to the quarry sites reported exposure to dust at home (98%), land destruction (85%), plant leaves covered with dust (97%), and an inability to grow crops (92%). The exposed group reported significantly higher eye and nasal allergy (22% vs. 3%), eye soreness (18% vs. 1%), and dryness (17% vs. 3%), chest tightness (9% vs. 1%), and chronic cough (11% vs. 0%) compared to the control group. Lung function parameters were significantly lower among the exposed group compared to the control group; mean forced vital capacity (FVC) was 3.35 L vs. 3.71 L (p = 0.001), mean forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) was 2.78 L vs. 3.17 L (p = 0.001). Higher levels of airway restriction were found among the exposed group. Among the exposed group, lung function parameters worsened with the increasing closeness of home to the quarry site. This study demonstrates the negative health effects of environmental dust exposure among two communities living near quarry sites in Palestine. The results highlight the importance of developing and strictly enforcing rules and regulations in Palestine to protect population health.

scholarly journals Snoring and nocturnal reflux: association with lung function decline and respiratory symptoms

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 00010-2019
Author(s):  
Össur Ingi Emilsson ◽  
Shadi Amid Hägg ◽  
Eva Lindberg ◽  
Karl A. Franklin ◽  
Kjell Toren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Multivariate Regression Analysis ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Lung Function Decline ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Habitual Snoring ◽  
Capacity Change ◽  
Sectional Analysis

IntroductionThe study aim was to examine the association of snoring and nocturnal gastro-oesophageal reflux (nGOR) with respiratory symptoms and lung function, and if snoring and/or nGOR associated with a steeper decline in lung function.MethodsData from the third visit of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) was used for cross-sectional analysis. Pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry was performed, and information on sleep, nGOR and respiratory symptoms was collected (n=5715). Habitual snoring and nGOR were assessed by questionnaire reports. Pre-bronchodilator spirometry from ECRHS I, II and III (20 years follow-up) were used to analyse lung function changes by multivariate regression analysis.ResultsSnoring and nGOR were independently associated with a higher prevalence of wheeze, chest tightness, breathlessness, cough and phlegm. The prevalence of any respiratory symptom was 79% in subjects with both snoring and nGOR versus 56% in those with neither (p<0.001). Subjects with both snoring and nGOR had more frequent exacerbations (adjusted prevalence 32% versus 19% among “no snoring, no nGOR”, p=0.003). Snoring but not nGOR was associated with a steeper decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s over 10 years after adjusting for confounding factors (change in % predicted −5.53, versus −4.58 among “no snoring”, p=0.04) and forced vital capacity (change in % predicted −1.94, versus −0.99 among “no snoring”, p=0.03).ConclusionsAdults reporting both habitual snoring and nGOR had more respiratory symptoms and more frequent exacerbations of these symptoms. Habitual snoring was associated with a steeper decline in lung function over time.

scholarly journals Farming, pesticide exposure and respiratory health: a cross-sectional study in Thailand

2021 ◽  
pp. oemed-2020-107325
Author(s):  
Jate Ratanachina ◽  
Andre Amaral ◽  
Sara De Matteis ◽  
Paul Cullinan ◽  
Peter Burney
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Airflow Obstruction ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Pesticide Use ◽  
Government Employees ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pesticide Exposures

ObjectiveTo assess the association of lung function and respiratory symptoms with farming, particularly pesticide use, in an agricultural province in Thailand.MethodsWe undertook a cross-sectional survey of adults aged 40–65 in Nan province, Thailand, between May and August 2019. We randomly recruited 345 villagers and enriched the sample with 82 government employees. All participants performed post-bronchodilator spirometry and completed a questionnaire covering information on respiratory symptoms, farming activities, pesticide use and known risk factors for respiratory disease. Associations of respiratory outcomes with farming and pesticide exposures were examined by multivariable regression analysis.ResultsThe response rate was 94%. The prevalence of chronic airflow obstruction among villagers was 5.5%. Villagers had, on average, a lower percent predicted post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) than government employees (98.3% vs 100.3%; p=0.04). There was no evidence of association of lung function with farming activities, the use of specific herbicides (glyphosate and paraquat), insecticides (organophosphates and pyrethroids) or fungicides. The exceptions were poultry farming, associated with chronic cough and an increase of FEV1/FVC, and atrazine, for which duration (p-trend <0.01), intensity (p-trend <0.01) and cumulative hours (p-trend=0.01) of use were all associated with higher FEV1/FVC in an exposure–response manner. Cumulative hours (−280 mL/hour), low duration (−270 mL/year) and intensity (−270 mL/hour/year) of atrazine use were associated with lower FVC.ConclusionsChronic airflow obstruction is uncommon among villagers of an agricultural province in Nan, Thailand. Farming and pesticide use are unlikely to be major causes of respiratory problems there.

scholarly journals Prevalence of respiratory abnormalities and spirometric disparities among construction workers in Tangail, Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
M. R. Mogal ◽  
M. D. Islam ◽  
M. I. Hasan ◽  
Aklima Akter ◽  
M. R. Mahmod ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Construction Workers ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Marked Rise ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Construction Hazards

Background: Occupational exposure is a significant factor for having respiratory symptoms and impairment of lung function in the working population. Construction workers impose a great risk of respiratory diseases since they continuously expose to construction hazards at their working place. The objective of this study was to explore the status of respiratory health of construction workers as well as correlation of blood parameters with it.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among construction workers along with the control group (university staffs) by randomly selecting 50 individuals in each group from September 2019 to February 2020 in Tangail, Bangladesh. Questionaries’ survey was executed followed by spirometry and oximetry. After confirming abnormalities of lung function, blood was drawn for further IgE, ESR, and CRP analysis.Results: Significantly (p<0.05) higher percentage of respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea (24%), coughing (30%), sneezing (40%), discomfort of chest (18%) were found in construction workers. In addition, lung function (FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, PEF, PEF%, FEF25, and FEF2575) was significantly (p<0.05) lower in construction workers compared with control. Furthermore, both IgE (353.57±25.41) and ESR (17.87±5.25) also reported a marked rise in the number of construction workers (p<0.05).Conclusions: It can be concluded from our study that construction hazards might the cause of prevalent respiratory symptoms, decreased lung function, and increased inflammatory markers such as IgE and ESR.

scholarly journals Are symptoms of insomnia related to respiratory symptoms? Cross-sectional results from 10 European countries and Australia

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. e032511
Author(s):  
Erla Bjornsdottir ◽  
Eva Lindberg ◽  
Bryndis Benediktsdottir ◽  
Thorarinn Gislason ◽  
Vanessa Garcia Larsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Falling Asleep ◽  
Waking Up ◽  
Insomnia Symptoms

ObjectivesTo compare the prevalence of different insomnia subtypes among middle-aged adults from Europe and Australia and to explore the cross-sectional relationship between insomnia subtypes, respiratory symptoms and lung function.DesignCross-sectional population-based, multicentre cohort study.Setting23 centres in 10 European countries and Australia.MethodsWe included 5800 participants in the third follow-up of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey III (ECRHS III) who answered three questions on insomnia symptoms: difficulties falling asleep (initial insomnia), waking up often during the night (middle insomnia) and waking up early in the morning and not being able to fall back asleep (late insomnia). They also answered questions on smoking, general health and chronic diseases and had the following lung function measurements: forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and the FEV1/FVC ratio. Changes in lung function since ECRHS I about 20 years earlier were also analysed.Main outcome measuresPrevalence of insomnia subtypes and relationship to respiratory symptoms and function.ResultsOverall, middle insomnia (31.2%) was the most common subtype followed by late insomnia (14.2%) and initial insomnia (11.2%). The highest reported prevalence of middle insomnia was found in Iceland (37.2%) and the lowest in Australia (22.7%), while the prevalence of initial and late insomnia was highest in Spain (16.0% and 19.7%, respectively) and lowest in Denmark (4.6% and 9.2%, respectively). All subtypes of insomnia were associated with significantly higher reported prevalence of respiratory symptoms. Only isolated initial insomnia was associated with lower FEV1, whereas no association was found between insomnia and low FEV1/FVC ratio or decline in lung function.ConclusionThere is considerable geographical variation in the prevalence of insomnia symptoms. Middle insomnia is most common especially in Iceland. Initial and late insomnia are most common in Spain. All insomnia subtypes are associated with respiratory symptoms, and initial insomnia is also associated with lower FEV1.

scholarly journals Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function in Poultry Confinement Workers in Western Canada

2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 375-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelley P Kirychuk ◽  
Ambikaipakan Senthilselvan ◽  
James A Dosman ◽  
Victor Juorio ◽  
John JR Feddes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Poultry Production ◽  
Housing Type ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Poultry Workers ◽  
Grain Farmers

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether poultry production methods impact respiratory health, and whether poultry farmers have more respiratory symptoms and lower lung function than comparison control groups.DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.SETTING: Provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba during the winters of 1997 to 1999. POPULATION: Three hundred three poultry workers, 241 grain farmers and 206 nonfarming control subjects were studied. Poultry workers were further classified according to the poultry housing type in which they worked, ie, workers who worked with poultry raised on the floor (floor-based operations), which included broiler/roaster, broiler/breeder and turkey operations (n=181), and workers who worked with poultry raised in a caged setting (cage-based operations), which included egg operations (n=122).INTERVENTIONS: Subjects completed a respiratory health questionnaire, which included questions on the poultry operation and work habits, and participated in lung function testing.MAIN RESULTS: Overall, this study indicated that poultry workers report greater prevalences of current and chronic respiratory symptoms than control populations, and that the type of production method (cage-based versus floor-based) appears to influence the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and lung function values. Workers from cage-based operations report greater prevalences of current cough and wheeze, as well as lower mean values for forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced expiratory flow at 25% to 75% of vital capacity (FEF25-75) and FEV1/FVC than workers from floor-based facilities. Workers from cage-based facilities also reported greater prevalences of current and chronic cough and phlegm, as well as significantly lower FEF25-75 and FEV1/FVC values than nonfarming control subjects. Furthermore, grain farmers had lower FVC and FEV1 values than nonfarmers.CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the type of poultry production system (ie, floor- versus cage-based) appears to have an effect on the respiratory response of workers from these facilities. Further studies are required to understand the physiological mechanisms of respiratory dysfunction and the relationships concerning workplace exposure among poultry workers.

scholarly journals Reduced Cross-Shift Lung Function and Respiratory Symptoms among Integrated Textile Factory Workers in Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 2741
Author(s):  
Yifokire Tefera Zele ◽  
Abera Kumie ◽  
Wakgari Deressa ◽  
Bente E. Moen ◽  
Magne Bråtveit
Keyword(s):  
Lung Function ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Textile Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Textile Factory

Chronic respiratory symptoms and reduction in lung function has been described as a common health problem among textile workers in low- and middle-income countries. The objective of this study was to measure lung function and respiratory symptoms among workers from an integrated textile factory. A comparative cross-sectional study design with a cross-shift lung function measurement was performed in 306 cotton dust exposed workers from an integrated textile factory and 156 control workers from a water bottling factory. An integrated textile factory typically has four main production departments (spinning, weaving, finishing, and garment) that process raw cotton and manufacture clothes or fabrics. Respiratory symptoms were assessed by adopting the standard American Thoracic Society questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and logistic and linear regression analysis were used. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was significantly higher among textile workers (54%) than in controls (28%). Chronic cough, chest tightness, and breathlessness were significantly higher among textile workers (23%, 33%, and 37%, respectively) than in the control group (5%, 17% and 6%, respectively). Breathlessness was the most prevalent chronic respiratory symptom with highest adjusted odds ratio 9.4 (95% CI 4.4–20.3). A significantly higher cross-shift lung function reduction was observed among textile workers (123 mL for FEV1 and 129 mL for FVC) compared with the control group (14 mL for FEV1 and 12 mL for FVC). Thus, workers’ respiratory health protection programs should be strengthened in textile factories.

scholarly journals PREVALENCE OF RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS AND PULMONARY FUNCTION STATUS OF RESTAURANT WORKERS

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-172
Author(s):  
Mohammed Abdulrazzaq Jabbar Jabbar ◽  
Retneswari Masilamani ◽  
Lim Zhi Yik ◽  
Chen Pei Fei ◽  
Loh Xin Ni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Function ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Pulmonary Function Tests ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Cooking Fumes

The cooking process may emit toxic compounds and airway irritants from both the fuel combustion and cooking fumes which is harmful to the respiratory health among the restaurant workers. A cross-sectional study of 243 restaurant workers from the selected restaurants in Sungai Long, Malaysia was conducted. The standardized British Medical Research Council questionnaire on Respiratory Symptoms (1986) was used during the interview to access the symptoms and the spirometry test was performed to evaluate the pulmonary functions of the participants. The data of socio-demography and occupational characteristics were also collected. The most complaint respiratory symptoms by the restaurant workers were breathlessness, which accounted for 33.7%, followed by wheezing (14%). The mean values of all pulmonary function tests (PFT) of the restaurant workers were within the normal range (>80%), except for the Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) (79.09%). The results of the bivariate statistical analysis, Chi-square, ANOVA and t-test, showed the determining factors of the respiratory health among the workers were workers’ age and gender in addition to the working duration and the ethnicity. The restaurant workers in Sungai Long were at risk of developing respiratory symptoms and lower pulmonary function values due to prolonged exposure to cooking fumes. Emphasis should be given to the safety and health of restaurant workers and health education should be provided to the restaurant workers and owners. Strategies to increase notification of such occurrences among these workers should be looked into by related agencies in the country.

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