Babashani M, Iliyasu Z, Ukoli C O
Department of Medicine, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and Bayero University, Kano.
Niger J Med. 2008 Oct-Dec;17(4):423-7. doi: 10.4314/njm.v17i4.37426.
The industrial process of detergent production could be deleterious to lung function. This study describes respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function impairment among detergent workers in Jos, Northern Nigeria.
Two hundred detergent plant workers and controls were studied for the presence of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function impairment using the MRC questionnaire and Spirometry.
A significantly higher proportion of exposed detergent workers 178 (87.0%) reported respiratory symptoms compared to 52 (26.0%) controls [OR=23; 95% CI=12.9-41.3] (P<0.001). Commonest symptoms include rhinitis (57.5% versus 11.0%) and cough (48.5% versus 15%). Symptoms were most prevalent in the packaging section. FEV1, FVC and PEFR were significantly reduced among exposed detergent workers. Similarly, the predicted values of PEFR, FVC and FEV1, were significantly reduced among smokers (P<0. 001).
Respiratory symptoms are highly prevalent among detergent workers. This was associated with impaired pulmonary function. Protective equipment and periodic lung function tests could reduce these effects.
洗涤剂生产的工业过程可能对肺功能有害。本研究描述了尼日利亚北部乔斯市洗涤剂工厂工人的呼吸道症状和通气功能损害情况。
采用医学研究委员会（MRC）问卷和肺活量测定法，对200名洗涤剂工厂工人及对照组人员的呼吸道症状和通气功能损害情况进行了研究。
与52名（26.0%）对照组人员相比，接触洗涤剂的工人中有178名（87.0%）报告有呼吸道症状，比例显著更高[比值比（OR）=23；95%置信区间（CI）=12.9 - 41.3]（P<0.001）。最常见的症状包括鼻炎（57.5%对11.0%）和咳嗽（48.5%对15%）。症状在包装环节最为普遍。接触洗涤剂的工人中，第一秒用力呼气容积（FEV1）、用力肺活量（FVC）和呼气峰值流速（PEFR）显著降低。同样，吸烟者的PEFR、FVC和FEV1预测值也显著降低（P<0.001）。
洗涤剂工人中呼吸道症状非常普遍。这与肺功能受损有关。防护设备和定期肺功能检查可以减轻这些影响。
