Dust exposure and respiratory status of workers in the wood processing industry in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Wood dust exposure is associated with an increased risk of respiratory disease. There is a paucity of research on the respiratory effects of this exposure on sawmill and furniture workers in Nigeria. Objectives: To determine the level of dust exposure and association with respiratory symptoms and lung function in Nigerian furniture and sawmill workers. Methods: Questionnaires were administered to obtain respiratory and occupational history from participants. Spirometry was performed according to ATS/ERS standards. Wood dust exposure was assessed with a static sampler. Result: The study comprised 160 males (80 sawmill and 80 furniture workers) with 80 matched hospital administrative workers recruited as controls. All were never smokers. Sawmill and furniture workers were exposed to mean inhalable dust levels of 26300 mg/m3 and 16600 mg/m3 respectively. Respiratory symptoms (RS) were common, with 65% of sawmill and 59% of furniture workers reporting at least one. Nasal discharge (47%), cough (40%) and sputum production (31%) were prevalent amongst workers but did not differ between industries. Workers were four times more likely to have at least one RS versus controls (p Conclusion: Dust exposures were very high compared to EU standards. Wood dust exposure is associated with respiratory symptoms and restrictive lung function compared to controls. Further studies are needed.