Abstract
Background:Booming industrial development in Ethiopia, including a growing steel industry, may result in increased prevalence of pulmonary conditions. In this study, we evaluated steel workers’ exposure to dust as well as its potential impact on lung function.Methods:Cross-sectional study of 75 steel workers in Ethiopia, interviewed from April to June 2015. We obtained information on respiratory symptoms and personal protective equipment use via interview and conducted spirometry testing to assess lung function. Dust samples were collected from different factory sections. Correlation analyses were used to assess associations between variables.Results:Maximum dust levels were recorded in the induction furnace, where both galvanized and non-galvanized metals are melted. Steel factory workers with higher levels of particulate matter exposure had increased rate of respiratory symptoms (r = 0.96). Forced vital capacity values showed a strong negative correlation with numbers of years at work (r = –0.86, p = 0.03) and responders age (–0.85, p = 0.49) and weak negative correlation with level of particular matter (PM) (r = –0.02, p = 0.07). Similarly, forced expiratory volume in 1 second was strongly negatively correlated with the number of years of exposure (r = –0.82, p = 0.05) and workers age (r = –0.85, p = 0.08) and weakly negatively correlated with PM level (r = 0.25, p = 0.67).Conclusions:Occupational exposure continues to be a major problem among steel factory workers in Ethiopia and is associated with lung function abnormalities. Ensuring the availability of proper personal protective equipment, regular factory inspections, and training may help mitigate the impact of occupational exposures among these workers.
Highlights
Most steel manufacturing processes in Ethiopia are not automated and workers are directly involved in many process and tasks
Occupational Exposure to particular matter (PM) The maximum dust levels were recorded in the induction furnace, where both galvanized and non-galvanized metals are melted
As with course PM, the highest mean fine PM2.5 was recorded in first stage dice 2,629.3 ± 183.5 μg/m3 followed by the induction furnace when galvanized metals were melted 2,159.3 ± 3, 22.7 μg/m3 (Table 2)
Summary
Most steel manufacturing processes in Ethiopia are not automated and workers are directly involved in many process and tasks. Scrap m etals segregation, collection and addition to furnaces are manually performed These activities lead to high levels of exposure to dust, fumes, heavy metals, smoke, hot materials and other toxins [1, 2]. Prior studies have demonstrated reduction in lung function due to exposure to high respirable dust levels in steel factory workers [1, 5, 6]. Despite the high levels of exposure to metal dust w ithout appropriate availability of personal protective equipment and limited safety training. We assessed whether exposure to dust is associated with lung function decrease among workers in steel factories in Ethiopia. We obtained information on respiratory symptoms and personal protective equipment use via interview and conducted spirometry testing to assess lung function. Ensuring the availability of proper personal protective equipment, regular factory inspections, and training may help mitigate the impact of occupational exposures among these workers
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