M Athanasiou1, G Makrynos, G Dounias. 1. Department of Occupational and Industrial Hygiene, National School of Public Health, 196 Alexandras Avenue, Athens 11521, Greece. mar_athanasiou@yahoo.gr
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is an increasing evidence that the incidence of work-related pulmonary problems is greater in waste collectors than in the general workforce. AIMS: To evaluate the respiratory health of municipal solid waste workers (MSWWs). METHODS: One hundred and eighty-four municipal employees of Keratsini (104 MSWWs and 80 controls) participated in a cross-sectional study. All participants were asked to fill in a slightly modified version of the Medical Research Council questionnaire. Lung function was evaluated by spirometry. RESULTS: Spirometry revealed reduced mean forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (as a percentage of predicted values) in MSWWs compared with controls. After adjustment for smoking status, only the decline in FVC was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Prevalence of all respiratory symptoms was higher in MSWWs than in controls. After adjustment for confounding factors, the difference reached statistical significance (P < 0.05) for morning cough, cough on exertion and sore throat. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this cross-sectional study indicate a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms and a greater decrease in lung function in MSWWs. A number of limitations such as the relatively small size of population and the 'healthy worker' effect should be taken into account.
BACKGROUND: There is an increasing evidence that the incidence of work-related pulmonary problems is greater in waste collectors than in the general workforce. AIMS: To evaluate the respiratory health of municipal solid waste workers (MSWWs). METHODS: One hundred and eighty-four municipal employees of Keratsini (104 MSWWs and 80 controls) participated in a cross-sectional study. All participants were asked to fill in a slightly modified version of the Medical Research Council questionnaire. Lung function was evaluated by spirometry. RESULTS: Spirometry revealed reduced mean forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (as a percentage of predicted values) in MSWWs compared with controls. After adjustment for smoking status, only the decline in FVC was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Prevalence of all respiratory symptoms was higher in MSWWs than in controls. After adjustment for confounding factors, the difference reached statistical significance (P < 0.05) for morning cough, cough on exertion and sore throat. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this cross-sectional study indicate a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms and a greater decrease in lung function in MSWWs. A number of limitations such as the relatively small size of population and the 'healthy worker' effect should be taken into account.
Authors: Jennifer M G Shelton; Roseanna Collins; Christopher B Uzzell; Asmaa Alghamdi; Paul S Dyer; Andrew C Singer; Matthew C Fisher Journal: Appl Environ Microbiol Date: 2022-01-05 Impact factor: 4.792
Authors: Luigi Vimercati; Antonio Baldassarre; Maria Franca Gatti; Luigi De Maria; Antonio Caputi; Angelica A Dirodi; Francesco Cuccaro; Raffaello Maria Bellino Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2016-06-24 Impact factor: 3.390