Respiratory signs and symptoms due to dust exposure in wheat mill workers

Abstract

Objective: Describe the respiratory signs and symptoms presented in workers exposed to dust in a wheat mill in Venezuela. Methods: Descriptive, field, non-experimental and cross-sectional design; SNOT-22, ATS-DLD-78A questionnaire and physical examination were applied. Results: The identified symptoms consisted of sneezing, subsequent rhinorrhea, wheezing and dyspnea, however, they predominated in the positions with lower exposure to dust (p-value <0.05). The use of personal respiratory protective equipment and joint exposure to chemical vapors imply the presence of anterior rhinorrhea; and wheezing episodes two or more times a year occurred with a greater number of hours exposed to dust (p-value=0.028). Conclusion: The level of exposure did not have statistical significance with upper respiratory manifestations except in cases where there was joint exposure to chemical vapors; however, recurrent wheezing was related to the hours of exposure to dust.