ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF HARMFUL WORKING CONDITIONS AND SMOKING ON THE HEALTH OF INDUSTRIAL WORKERS

Abstract

Introduction. Currently, the main influence of adverse working conditions is manifested not only by the level of occupational morbidity and injuries but by the general state of health of employed persons. Among the most significant non-occupational exposure is tobacco smoking. The aim of the study was a comparative assessment of the influence of the factor “harmful working conditions” (Fwc) and the factor “Smoking” (Fsmo) on the prevalence and rate of development of the most frequently diagnosed chronic diseases in industrial workers. Material and methods. Working conditions, medical examination data and smoking status of 2810 Apatite-nepheline and copper-Nickel miners were studied (cross section study). Population risk (PR) and its annual increase (GPR) were studied in six classes of diseases: circulatory system (CS), digestive system (DS), genitourinary system (GUS), respiratory system (RS), musculoskeletal system (MSS), skin and subcutaneous tissue (SST), nervous system (NS). Morbidity factors were characterized by the duration of their exposure: harmful working conditions - work experience not related to age and duration of smoking; non - professional factors - age of employees not related to work experience and smoking; smoking-its duration not related to age and work experience. Results. Population rates among non-smokers and smokers, in groups with the same average age and work experience, did not differ statistically, except for CS, the frequency of which is lower in smokers. It can be assumed that these data refer to “paradoxical cases” in which the Fwc effect is masked by employee turnover. In contrast to extensive indices of PR, GPR indices of the majority of classes of diseases-accurately reveal negative influence of smoking on a state of health of miners. Conclusion. 1. For quantitative comparison of negative effects on the health of workers of Fwc and Fsmo it is necessary to use indices PR of dynamics in certain experience and age groups. 2. The impact of the Fwc on the GPR is more pronounced than Fsmo for MSS, RS, NS. The influence of Fsmo exceeds a Fwc for SST, CS and DS. 3. An annual gain in the risk of chronic diseases (except MSS), not differentiated by their classes, s in smokers is by 1.6 times more than in non-smokers.