Open AccessRespiratory Symptoms and Patterns of Pulmonary Dysfunction among Roofing Fiber Cement Workers in the South of Thailand
Author(s) -
Thepaksorn Phayong,
Pongpanich Sathirakorn,
Siriwong Wattasit,
Chapman Robert S.,
Taneepanichskul Surasak
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of occupational health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 1348-9585
DOI - 10.1539/joh.12-0122-oa
Subject(s) - spirometry , medicine , respiratory system , pulmonary function testing , cement , environmental health , asthma , metallurgy , materials science
Respiratory Symptoms and Patterns of Pulmonary Dysfunction among Roofing Fiber Cement Workers in the South of Thailand: Phayong THEPAKSORN, et al . College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand—Objective This study examined the associations between respiratory symptoms and patterns of pulmonary dysfunction of 115 male roofing cement workers compared with 134 unexposed subjects. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted. Environmental samplings and spirometry measurements were also collected. Results The exposed workers had higher respiratory dust exposure levels (0.65 mg/m 3 ) compared with the unexposed groups (0.32 mg/m 3 ). The exposed group had significantly higher prevalence than the unexposed group for shortness of breath (OR=2.19). The exposed group also had higher but insignificant prevalence of chronic cough (OR=1.34), chest tightness (OR=1.64), and wheezing (OR=1.89). The ventilatory respiratory function values (FEV1 and FVC) were slightly lower for the exposed group. Conclusion An association between higher cement dust levels and a decline in ventilatory function among roofing fiber cement workers suggests that the respiratory health of roofing cement workers should be protected through policies or work standards.