Isara Alphonsus Rukevwe, Adam Vincent Yakubu, Aigbokhaode Adesuwa Queen, Alenoghena Innocent Osi
Department of Community Health, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, P. M. B. 1111, Benin City, Nigeria.
Pan Afr Med J. 2016 Apr 21;23:212. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2016.23.212.7640. eCollection 2016.
Workers in the quarry industries are exposed to hazards resulting from the inhalation of air borne particulates. The study determined the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and assessed ventilatory functions among quarry workers in Edo state, Nigeria.
Quarry workers (site workers and office workers) were interviewed using structured questionnaire. FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC and PEFR were measured using a KoKo Legend spirometer.
A total of 113 quarry workers (76 exposure and 37 controls) were studied. The exposure group had significantly higher occurrence of chest tightness (35.5%) compared with 16.2% of the controls (p < 0.05). The occurrence of cough (23.7% versus 13.5%), sputum (21.1% versus 16.2%), and dyspnoea (7.9% versus 5.4%), were higher in exposure groups while wheeze (10.8% versus 10.5%) and nasal congestion (27.0% and 25.0%) were higher in the control groups. The mean (SD) FEV1, and FVC were significantly lower among the exposure compared with the control group; 2.77L (0.73) versus 3.14L (0.78), p < 0.05, and 3.48L (0.84) versus 3.89L (0.92), p < 0.05. In both groups, smokers had significantly lower mean (SD) FEV1, FVC and PEFR compared with non-smokers; 2.91L (0.77) versus 3.39L (0.69), p = 0.01, 3.61L (0.91) versus 4.26L (0.74), p < 0.05 and 6.56L (2.43) versus 7.98L (1.67), p < 0.05.
Chronic exposure to quarry dust is associated with respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function indices among quarry workers. The enforcement of the use of PPEs and periodic evaluation the lung function status of quarry workers is advocated.
采石行业的工人会因吸入空气中的颗粒物而面临危害。本研究确定了尼日利亚江户州采石工人呼吸道症状的患病率，并评估了他们的通气功能。
使用结构化问卷对采石工人（现场工人和办公室工作人员）进行访谈。使用科科传奇肺活量计测量第一秒用力呼气容积（FEV1）、用力肺活量（FVC）、FEV1/FVC和呼气峰值流速（PEFR）。
共研究了113名采石工人（76名暴露组和37名对照组）。暴露组胸闷发生率（35.5%）显著高于对照组的16.2%（p<0.05）。暴露组咳嗽（23.7%对13.5%）、咳痰（21.1%对16.2%）和呼吸困难（7.9%对5.4%）的发生率较高，而对照组喘息（10.8%对10.5%）和鼻塞（27.0%和25.0%）的发生率较高。与对照组相比，暴露组的平均（标准差）FEV1和FVC显著降低；分别为2.77L（0.73）对3.14L（0.78），p<0.05，以及3.48L（0.84）对3.89L（0.92），p<0.05。在两组中，吸烟者的平均（标准差）FEV1、FVC和PEFR均显著低于非吸烟者；分别为2.91L（0.77）对3.39L（0.69），p = 0.01，3.61L（0.91）对4.26L（0.74），p<0.05，以及6.56L（2.43）对7.98L（1.67），p<0.05。
长期接触采石粉尘与采石工人的呼吸道症状和肺功能指标降低有关。提倡强制使用个人防护装备并定期评估采石工人的肺功能状况。
