The Association of Working Duration with Lung Function and Chest X-Ray Results in Ceramic Industry Workers of Company X, Mabar Medan

Abstract

Background: Ceramics industry workers are often exposed to silica materials from ceramics. The aim of this study was to determine the association between silica exposure withlung function test and chest x-ray (CXR) results of the workers. Methods: This was an analytical study with cross-sectional design conducted in the Ceramic Industry X in Mabar, Medan City. The dust level in the work station was measured using Personal Dust Sampler. Lung function was measured by spirometry and CXR was evaluated using the ILO interpretations. Results: About 35 male workers were included as subjects, divided into 3 working stations namely precompression section of 11 subjects (31.4%), compression section of 13 subjects (37.1%) and 11 subjects (31.4%) in the sintering section. Dust levels in each work location are 24.8, 29.2, and 6.11 respectively. Of all subjects, 9 (25.7%) had respiratory symptoms, 21 (60%) had restriction in lung function and 8 (22.8%) had abnormal CXR (6 pneumoconiosis and 2 tuberculosis). There were no association between dust levels with lung function and CXR (P>0.05), but there was a significant correlation between duration of work with lung function. The FEV1 and FVC values of subjects working <5 years were 87.6% and 87.2%, while of those working ≥5 years were 68.1% and 68.7%, respectively (P<0.001). There were no correlation between working duration and pneumoconiosis finding in CXR (P=0,69). Conclusion: The prevalence of pneumoconiosis among ceramic worker exposed with silica dust was 22.8%. There was a significant relationship between duration of work and decreased lung function, but there were no correlation between dust level in the workplace with lung fuction and CXR, and sobetween working duration and pneumoconiosis finding.