Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Function of Workers in the Waste Management Industry.

Chrysovalantis V Papageorgiou,Georgios Dounias,Sotiria Makrodimitri,Vasiliki E Georgakopoulou,Petros Savourdos,Eleni Douna

doi:10.7759/cureus.17027

Abstract

Introduction: Waste handling workers are exposed to air pollutants and toxic compounds produced during waste management and processing that can cause respiratory symptoms and lung function impairment. This study aimed to evaluate the respiratory health of exposed workers in a waste management plant in Attica, Greece.Methods: 50 field workers exposed to outdoor pollutants (exposure group) and 32 office clerks with no exposure (control group) were evaluated. Upper and lower respiratory symptoms were documented and spirometry was performed.Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the exposure and the control group in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)%, forced vital capacity (FVC)%, FEV1/FVC% predicted values. Workers had lower maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF)% predicted values compared to controls (82% vs 94%, p=0.019). No difference was observed regarding the respiratory symptoms between the two groups.Conclusion: Lower MMEF values were observed in the exposure group. Low MMEF can be indicative of small airway disease, thus smoking cessation, close follow-up, and the use of personal protective equipment are recommended.

Highlights

Waste handling workers are exposed to air pollutants and toxic compounds produced during waste management and processing that can cause respiratory symptoms and lung function impairment
Workers in the solid waste management industry are exposed to numerous occupational risks, arising both from the use of mechanical and electrical equipment and the exposure to toxic compounds produced during waste management and processing [1]
This study aimed to investigate the respiratory health of field workers in the waste management industry compared to a group of office clerks working in the same facilities, with no occupational exposure to outdoor pollutants, as reflected in the severity of symptoms and the results of lung function tests

Summary

Introduction

Waste handling workers are exposed to air pollutants and toxic compounds produced during waste management and processing that can cause respiratory symptoms and lung function impairment. Workers in the solid waste management industry are exposed to numerous occupational risks, arising both from the use of mechanical and electrical equipment and the exposure to toxic compounds produced during waste management and processing [1]. Bad weather conditions and extreme temperatures may contribute to the exacerbation of underlying respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD. Upper respiratory symptoms such as rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, sneezing, and sore throat and lower respiratory symptoms such as cough, sputum production, wheezing, and dyspnea are commonly documented in solid waste workers [7,8,9,10]

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