OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO WOOD DUST AND PREVALENCE OF RESPIRATORY HEALTH ISSUES AMONG SAWMILL WORKERS IN ABEOKUTA METROPOLIS, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA
Keywords:
Abeokuta, Lung Function, Particulate Matter, Sawmill Workers, Spirometry.Abstract
Wood dust is regarded as a possible occupational cancer-causing substance that negatively impacts human respiratory organs. This study investigated wood dust concentrations at sawmills and decline in pulmonary function among occupationally-exposed workers in Abeokuta Metropolis, Ogun State. A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out among 315 randomly selected sawmill workers (SW) in 11 sawmills and 100 non-sawmill workers (C) using a structured questionnaire and a spirometry test of lung function. Dust monitoring in sawmill and control locations was carried out using the portable Beckman Counter. Lung function test was performed using a spirometer. Data were analyzed for descriptive and inferential statistics. The mean concentrations for Particulate Matters: PM2.5 − particles with aerodynamic size less than 2.5 microns(53.1±0.60) and PM10− particles with aerodynamic size less than 10 microns(101±0.47) were higher than the WHO guideline limits of 25 and 50 µg m-3. The body mass index (BMI) of SW was 26.7 (overweight) while that of C was 24.5 (healthy). Prevalent respiratory symptoms include sneeze (12.7%), running nose (10.8%), eye irritation (10.8%), cough (6.3%), chest pain (6.3%), skin irritation (5.4%), chest tightness (5.1%) and phlegm (5.1%).Lung function parameters of SW showed Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), and ratio of FEV1 to FVC (FEV1%) to be 2.85, 0.95, 1.44, and 66.2, respectively, which were significantly lower than in the control group (PEFR= 3.55, FEV1= 1.11, FVC= 1.57 and FEV1%= 74.6). Analysis of variance of lung function between the SW and the C-group showed significant (p<0.05) differences between the mean of PEFR, FEV1% and FEV1 for both groups, except for FVC (p = 0.269). A significant negative correlation was found between SW exposure to wood dust and lung function parameters: PEFR (r = -0.121; p<0.05), FEV1% (r = -0.121; p<0.05), and FEV1 (r = -0.105; p<0.05), FVC (r = -0.054; p<0.05). This study demonstrated that, in comparison to the control group, sawmill workers in Abeokuta were more susceptible to environmental pollution and the hazards associated with wood dust; had a higher prevalence of respiratory and pulmonary-related symptoms; had decreased pulmonary functions; and had BMI values that were higher than the recommended guideline values.
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