Lung Function Impairment Among Paint Factory Workers: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study.

BACKGROUND

A paint factory or manufacturing is a vocation characterized by exposure to chemical hazards during production. Paint exposure plays a great role in the incidence of several health problems, particularly respiratory diseases. The study aims to assess the pattern of spirometric indices among the study population.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study of paint factory workers (PFWs) assesses their spirometric findings in Delta State, Nigeria. The participants for this study were divided into two groups; the PFWs and the non-PFWs (NPFW) which serve as the control group. Hundred and 200 participants were recruited for the study group and control, respectively.

RESULTS

Among the participants in the paint worker cohort, 45 individuals (45.0%) had been employed for less than five years while 14 (14.0%) had worked over 10 years. Eighty-eight (88%) are aware of PPE; however, only 12 (12.0%) use them always. Findings show that 178 (89.0%) vs. seven (7.0%) of NPFW and PFW had normal pulmonary function tests. The spirometric abnormalities within the PFW group were obstructive lung disease affecting 59 (59.0%) of the cohort while 34 (34.0%) had restrictive lung patterns.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from paint fumes is associated with spirometric abnormalities with obstructive patterns more predominant than restrictive patterns.