Respiratory Symptoms and Patterns of Pulmonary Dysfunction among Roofing Fiber Cement Workers in the South of Thailand

• Published in: Journal of Occupational Health Vol. 55; no. 1; pp. 21 - 28
• Main Authors: Thepaksorn, Phayong, Pongpanich, Sathirakorn, Siriwong, Wattasit, Chapman, Robert S., Taneepanichskul, Surasak
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia JAPAN SOCIETY FOR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH 01-01-2013; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Air Pollutants, Occupational - adverse effects; Cement; Cement dust; Construction Materials - adverse effects; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dust; Environmental Monitoring; Fiber cement; Humans; Inhalation Exposure; Male; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational Diseases - etiology; Occupational exposure; Occupational health; Pulmonary function; Respiration Disorders - epidemiology; Respiration Disorders - etiology; Respiratory function; Respiratory Function Tests; Respiratory symptoms; Roofing; Thailand - epidemiology; Thailand
• ISSN: 1341-9145; 1348-9585; 1348-9585
• DOI: 10.1539/joh.12-0122-OA

[Abstract]: [Objective]: This study examined the associations between respiratory symptoms and patterns of pulmonary dysfunction of 115 male roofing cement workers compared with 134 unexposed subjects. [Methods]: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Environmental samplings and spirometry measurements were also collected. [Results]: The exposed workers had higher respiratory dust exposure levels (0.65 mg/m3) compared with the unexposed groups (0.32 mg/m3). The exposed group had significantly higher prevalence than the unexposed group for shortness of breath (OR=2.19). The exposed group also had higher but insignificant prevalence of chronic cough (OR=1.34), chest tightness (OR=1.64), and wheezing (OR=1.89). The ventilatory respiratory function values (FEV1 and FVC) were slightly lower for the exposed group. [Conclusion]: An association between higher cement dust levels and a decline in ventilatory function among roofing fiber cement workers suggests that the respiratory health of roofing cement workers should be protected through policies or work standards.