Lung health in workers exposed to reed dust

Assessment of paper dust exposure and chronic respiratory symptoms among paper factory workers in, Ethiopia; a comparative cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Workers in pulp and paper factories are continuously exposed to paper dust. Excessive exposure to paper dust can cause respiratory disease. Information about the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and dust exposure levels among workers in pulp and paper factories is not available in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was, therefore, to assess personal total dust exposure levels, the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and their associated risk factors among workers in Ethiopian pulp and paper factories.

METHODS

A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 40 dust measurements were carried out on 20 randomly selected workers. To assess chronic respiratory symptoms and associated factors, 434 workers from two paper factories and controls were interviewed using a standard questionnaire adapted from the American Thoracic Society (ATS). Gravimetric analyses of the filters were undertaken using a standard microbalance. Poisson regression was performed for comparing the prevalence of symptoms and risk factors for the two groups. Multivariable analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with chronic respiratory symptoms.

RESULT

The arithmetic mean (AM) and geometric mean (GM) of dust exposure levels among the paper factories workers were 11.3 (± 7.7) and 10.2 (± 1.4) mg/m³ respectively. This exposure level exceeded the threshold limit value recommended for total dust (10 mg/m³). The prevalence of having at least one chronic respiratory symptom was about 51% among the workers in paper factories. The prevalence ratio of having chronic respiratory symptoms among paper factory workers was 5.6 times higher (PR = 6, 95% CI 3.5-10.3) than in the controls. Chronic respiratory symptoms were significantly associated with factors such as an educational status of less than grade 9, being employed in the work sections of the factories, having work experience of 5 years and above, working more than 8 h per day and having a past history of occupation and respiratory illnesses.

CONCLUSION

The dust concentration in the paper factories exceeded the acceptable recommended limit value of 10 mg/m3. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among paper factory workers was higher than among controls. The main determining factors for chronic respiratory symptoms among the workers were the specific work section such as production section, low income, having past history of respiratory illnesses, the number of years of working and low educational status. This finding indicated the need for improving the working conditions in paper factories in Ethiopia.

Irritant-Induced Chronic Cough Triggers: A Scoping Review and Clinical Checklist

Purpose The primary aim of this review was to identify environmental irritants known to trigger chronic cough through the life span and develop a comprehensive clinically useful irritant checklist. Method A scoping review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews, checklist, and explanation. English-language, full-text resources were identified through Medline, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. Results A total of 1,072 sources were retrieved; of these, 109 were duplicates. Titles of abstracts of 963 articles were screened, with 295 selected for full-text review. Using the exclusion and inclusion criteria listed, 236 articles were considered eligible and 214 different triggers were identified. Triggers were identified from North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Occupational exposures were also delineated. Conclusions A clinically useful checklist of both frequently encountered triggers and idiosyncratic or rare triggers was developed. The clinical checklist provides a unique contribution to streamline and standardize clinical assessment of irritant-induced chronic cough. The international scope of this review extends the usefulness of the clinical checklist to clinicians on most continents.

Impacts of PM2.5 on respiratory system among traffic policemen

BACKGROUND

Malaysian traffic policemen are constantly exposed to unhealthy air in the outdoor environment, which results in various health problems. This study investigates the relationship of the personal exposure level to PM2.5 and lung functions in traffic policemen in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru.

METHODS

A pulmonary function test using a spirometer was carried out to measure the lung function of the traffic policemen. The personal exposure level to PM2.5 was measured using a pump with a PVC filter and 5.0μm pore size. A questionnaire requesting the background data, such as age, height, and weight, was also used for testing lung function abnormalities.

RESULTS

The PM2.5 personal exposure level was found to be significantly related to lung function (predicted FEV1 and predicted FVC) at p-value < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONS

Traffic policemen are mainly exposed to physical hazards from traffic pollutants emitted by vehicles, such as fine particles and particulate matter. The findings of this study indicate that there is a trend of lung function deterioration among traffic policemen. These baseline data can serve as a reference for the top management of traffic police to aid in the development of occupational safety and health guidelines for police officers, as the traffic police are not covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA, Act 514 1994).

Occupational asthma associated with bleached chlorine-free cellulose dust in a sanitary pad production plant

BACKGROUND

Cellulose is an insoluble plant polysaccharide produced from soft-wood pulp. Although chronic respiratory effects associated with high cellulose-based dust levels have been previously described, occupational asthma has not. A 37 year old machine operator in a sanitary pad production factory presented with new-onset work-related asthma symptoms for two years.

METHODS

The worker underwent clinical, pulmonological and immunological (skin prick tests, serum specific IgE determinations) evaluation using standardised procedures. The cellulose product was subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination. A specific inhalation challenge test performed with the cellulose product ensured that dust concentrations were kept below 5 mg/m³ .

RESULTS

The subject was not atopic and did not have elevated IgE to pine wood or xylanase. The cellulose product appeared to be free of protein contaminants on SEM. The Work Effect Index computed on serial PEF recordings was elevated (WEI = 3.8).Specific inhalational challenge with the cellulose product dust revealed a late bronchial response (39% drop in FEV₁ at 3 hours post challenge).

CONCLUSION

This is the first reported case of occupational asthma to a cellulose fibre product. A non-specific immune reaction or irritant response seems likely. These fibres may therefore not be biologically inert. The occupational exposure limit of 10 mg/m³ generally used for cellulose dust appears to be non-protective.

Gender differences in murine pulmonary responses elicited by cellulose nanocrystals

Background

Cellulose-based materials have been used for centuries to manufacture different goods derived from forestry and agricultural sources. In the growing field of nanocellulose applications, its uniquely engineered properties are instrumental for inventive products coming to competitive markets. Due to their high aspect ratio and stiffness, it is speculated that cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) may cause similar pulmonary toxicity as carbon nanotubes and asbestos, thus posing a potential negative impact on public health and the environment.

Methods

The present study was undertaken to investigate the pulmonary outcomes induced by repeated exposure to respirable CNC. C57BL/6 female and male mice were exposed by pharyngeal aspiration to CNC (40 μg/mouse) 2 times a week for 3 weeks. Several biochemical endpoints and pathophysiological outcomes along with gene expression changes were evaluated and compared in the lungs of male and female mice.

Results

Exposure to respirable CNC caused pulmonary inflammation and damage, induced oxidative stress, elevated TGF-β and collagen levels in lung, and impaired pulmonary functions. Notably, these effects were markedly more pronounced in females compared to male mice. Moreover, sex differences in responses to pulmonary exposure to CNC were also detected at the level of global mRNA expression as well as in inflammatory cytokine/chemokine activity.

Conclusions

Overall, our results indicate that there are considerable differences in responses to respirable CNC based on gender with a higher pulmonary toxicity observed in female mice.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12989-016-0140-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.