Τίτλος:
Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Function of Workers in the Waste
Management Industry
Γλώσσες Τεκμηρίου:
Αγγλικά
Περίληψη:
Introduction: Waste handling workers are exposed to air pollutants and
toxic compounds produced during waste management and processing that can
cause respiratory symptoms and lung function impairment. This study
aimed to evaluate the respiratory health of exposed workers in a waste
management plant in Attica, Greece.
Methods: 50 field workers exposed to outdoor pollutants (exposure group)
and 32 office clerks with no exposure (control group) were evaluated.
Upper and lower respiratory symptoms were documented and spirometry was
performed.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the
exposure and the control group in forced expiratory volume in one second
(FEV1)%, forced vital capacity (FVC)%, FEV1/FVC% predicted values.
Workers had lower maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF)% predicted values
compared to controls (82% vs 94%, p=0.019). No difference was observed
regarding the respiratory symptoms between the two groups.
Conclusion: Lower MMEF values were observed in the exposure group. Low
MMEF can be indicative of small airway disease, thus smoking cessation,
close follow-up, and the use of personal protective equipment are
recommended.
Συγγραφείς:
V. Papageorgiou, Chrysovalantis
Savourdos, Petros
Douna, Eleni
and Georgakopoulou, Vasiliki E.
Makrodimitri, Sotiria
Dounias,
Georgios
Λέξεις-κλειδιά:
waste management; respiratory symptoms; pulmonary function; spirometry;
occupational health hazards
DOI:
10.7759/cureus.17027
