Respiratory health evaluation of construction workers using questionnaire

Umesh C Ojha,Ashish Ranjan,Omkar K Choudhari,Sonam Spalgais

doi:10.22363/2313-0245-2021-25-4-313-320

Abstract

Relevance . With growing economy and flourishing construction industries the comorbidities among construction workers are also raised. They are exposed to various dust, fumes, noxious gases and vapours making them susceptible to chronic airway diseases like Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the respiratory health status of construction workers in an unorganised sector. Materials and Methods . The data collected from National Capital of Delhi region in an unorganised sector of construction workers by using a Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire by the Institute of Occupational Health and Environmental research, Basaidarapur, Delhi, India. All the participant response was noted and the answers were evaluated to see respiratory health status of workers. Total 200 workers were evaluated. Total 182 males and 18 female participated in the study. Results and Discussion . 25% of workers reported poor health at the time of the survey, while only 4% of workers considered their health to be very good. Among the main complaints were indicated: cough, sputum production, shortness of breath, chest infections, attacks of wheezing. The overall mean of Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire core was 33.55. It increases with the working period in the construction field with 21.6% for 10years and 49.1 for 30years experienced workers, while workers with 11 to 20 years of experience, the score was 28.4. The Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire score was 35.1 in 21-30 years of experienced construction workers. Conclusion . As a result of the study, construction workers are found to be at high risk of various respiratory diseases and related disabilities. Participants in this study did not receive any treatment for respiratory problems at any clinic. This means the importance of occupational health education and the use of personal protective equipment and safe working conditions for construction workers.

Highlights

With growing economy and development of infrastructure, the construction industry is growing at rapid pace and co-morbidities among workers are raised
Construction workers are consistently exposed to noxious gases, fumes, vapours and dust (VDGF)
The respiratory manifestations in construction workers ranges from small airway diseases, Chronic obstructive Lung Disease, Occupational asthma, interstitial lung diseases (ILD), bronchiectasis to malignancies like mesothelioma among roof installers exposed to asbestos dust [8,9,10,11].The contribution of occupational diseases in the causation of chronic obstructive lung diseases (COPD) is approximately 15 % [12]

Summary

Introduction

With growing economy and development of infrastructure, the construction industry is growing at rapid pace and co-morbidities among workers are raised. The construction workers are exposed to various solvents while painting and waterproofing These vapours are neurotoxic and cause airway abnormality apart from their malignant potential [2,3,4]. The exposure to solvent, welding fumes have variable effect from mild symptoms like rhinitis to autonomic dysfunction as well as respiratory airway disease [5, 6]. The respiratory manifestations in construction workers ranges from small airway diseases, Chronic obstructive Lung Disease, Occupational asthma, interstitial lung diseases (ILD), bronchiectasis to malignancies like mesothelioma among roof installers exposed to asbestos dust [8,9,10,11].The contribution of occupational diseases in the causation of chronic obstructive lung diseases (COPD) is approximately 15 % [12]. The best way to prevent this is early detection and treatment

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Methods

Results

Conclusion