Metal Dust Exposure and Respiratory Health of Male Steel Workers in Terengganu, Malaysia

This cross sectional study was carried out to determine the relationship between metal dust exposure and respiratory health in male steel workers in Terengganu, Malaysia. Subjects were interviewed using a structured questionnaire from British Medical Research Council (BMRC) Questionnaire regarding r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Iranian journal of public health 2014-11, Vol.43 (3), p.154
Main Authors: Hamzah, Nurul Ainun, Tamrin, Shamsul Bahri Mohd, Ismail, Noor Hassim
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acids
Dust
Iron compounds
Respiratory diseases
Risk assessment
Shift work
Steel production
Studies
Workers
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Summary:This cross sectional study was carried out to determine the relationship between metal dust exposure and respiratory health in male steel workers in Terengganu, Malaysia. Subjects were interviewed using a structured questionnaire from British Medical Research Council (BMRC) Questionnaire regarding respiratory symptoms and were examined their lung function using spirometer. The mean trace metal dusts concentration TWA^sub 8^ for cobalt and chromium in most of work unit exceeded occupational exposure prescribed values. Prevalence of chest tightness, chronic phlegm, and shortness of breath was 28.0%, 26.8%, 24.1%, and 20.2% respectively. Age and smoking were among the factors associated with respiratory symptoms (OR: 0.92 - 1.78). Smoking and cumulative respirable metal dust were negatively associated with FEV^sub 1^. The mean metal dust for cobalt and chromium were 1 to 2 times higher than permissible exposure limit (PET). This study found that respirable cumulative metal dust exposure is one of the contributing factors to lung function values among steel workers.
ISSN:2251-6085
2251-6093