Respiratory Symptoms and Ventilatory Function in Never-Smoking Males Working in Dusty Occupations

Abstract

AIM: To assess the effect of occupational exposure on respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in never-smoking male workers exposed to mineral or organic dusts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study including 138 never-smoking male workers exposed to mineral or organic dust (34 construction workers, 32 furniture manufacturers, 37 agricultural workers, and 35 bakers) and 35 unexposed controls (office workers). Evaluation of all study subjects included completion of a questionnaire and spirometric measurements. RESULTS: The prevalence of the overall respiratory symptoms in the last 12 months was higher in dusty occupation workers than its prevalence in office workers. Statistically significant difference was found between the prevalence of cough in construction workers, agricultural workers and bakers, as well as between the prevalence of phlegm in construction workers, furniture manufacturers and agricultural workers as compared to its prevalence in office workers. The mean values of spirometric parameters were lower in all groups of exposed workers as compared to their mean values in office workers with statistical significance for all measured parameters in construction workers and furniture manufacturers, as well as for small airways indices in agricultural workers and bakers. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate significant effect of occupational exposure on respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity impairment in workers exposed to mineral or organic dusts.