Bagasse dust exposure and chronic respiratory symptoms among workers in the Metehara and Wonji sugar factories in Ethiopia: a longitudinal study design.
Occupational Lung Disease
Respiratory Infection
Respiratory Measurement
Journal
BMJ open respiratory research
ISSN: 2052-4439
Titre abrégé: BMJ Open Respir Res
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101638061
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
08 2023
08 2023
Historique:
received:
17
10
2022
accepted:
31
07
2023
medline:
16
8
2023
pubmed:
12
8
2023
entrez:
11
8
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Ethiopia's sugar factories are growing by creating job opportunities for thousands of workers with varying educational, professional and socioeconomic backgrounds. These sugar factories are a source of several hazards that severely harm the workers' health. In this context, there is inconclusive evidence on the level of bagasse dust exposure and chronic respiratory health symptoms. This study aimed to assess the degree of bagasse dust exposure and chronic respiratory health symptoms. In this longitudinal study, five workstations were selected for dust sampling. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 1043 participants. We measured the dust intensity using a calibrated handheld real-time dust monitor once a month for 5 months, totalling 50 dust samples. Chronic respiratory symptoms were assessed using the American Thoracic Society's respiratory symptoms questionnaire. A 1 hour time-weighted average of bagasse dust intensity in the boiler, power turbine and evaporation plant was 8.93 mg/m Bagasse dust exposure and respiratory health abnormalities were worrying concerns. The absence of dust control technologies and no practice of wet spraying elevated the level of exposure. Not wearing proper respiratory protection gear increased the odds of having respiratory abnormalities. Hence, the use of mechanical solutions to stop dust emissions at their sources and the wearing of proper respiratory protection gear are highly advised.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
Ethiopia's sugar factories are growing by creating job opportunities for thousands of workers with varying educational, professional and socioeconomic backgrounds. These sugar factories are a source of several hazards that severely harm the workers' health. In this context, there is inconclusive evidence on the level of bagasse dust exposure and chronic respiratory health symptoms. This study aimed to assess the degree of bagasse dust exposure and chronic respiratory health symptoms.
METHODS
In this longitudinal study, five workstations were selected for dust sampling. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 1043 participants. We measured the dust intensity using a calibrated handheld real-time dust monitor once a month for 5 months, totalling 50 dust samples. Chronic respiratory symptoms were assessed using the American Thoracic Society's respiratory symptoms questionnaire.
RESULTS
A 1 hour time-weighted average of bagasse dust intensity in the boiler, power turbine and evaporation plant was 8.93 mg/m
CONCLUSIONS
Bagasse dust exposure and respiratory health abnormalities were worrying concerns. The absence of dust control technologies and no practice of wet spraying elevated the level of exposure. Not wearing proper respiratory protection gear increased the odds of having respiratory abnormalities. Hence, the use of mechanical solutions to stop dust emissions at their sources and the wearing of proper respiratory protection gear are highly advised.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37567741
pii: 10/1/e001511
doi: 10.1136/bmjresp-2022-001511
pmc: PMC10423784
pii:
doi:
Substances chimiques
bagasse
9006-97-7
Sugars
0
Dust
0
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Competing interests: None declared.
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