Cement Industry Workers Research Articles

STUDY OF SKIN MORBIDITY PROFILE IN PORTLAND CEMENT INDUSTRY WORKER AT KHULNA CITY CORPORATION, BANGLADESH

Cement, specifically Portland cement is now used for construction and rapid urbanization worldwide. Though development of cement industry in Bangladesh takes back to early fifties this industry is in rapid growth state from about a decade, involving a large number of worker population. High alkalinity of cement and its tiny content of water soluble chromate can cause occupational skin diseases to workers who are involved with any type of cement handling activities. Cement industry workers are mainly low income group people and are driven by poverty, illiteracy, overpopulation and thus can pay little or no attention for health protection and treatment. Therefore, this study aims to identify skin disease status of workers in a Bangladeshi cement industry. Study was conducted amongthe workers working in a particular cement industry in south-west region of Bangladesh, at Labanchara, Rupsha Khulna. Data was collected by questionnaire survey method using modified version of standard questionnaire, which was drafted and pre-tested based on the reconnaissance survey. The study found that workers were suffering from various irritant dermatitis, allergic dermatitis and cement burn of different parts of their body, significantly in hand, forearm and leg. Study revealed, lack of proper sanitation and maintenance of safety equipment, coupled with habit of smoking and working for many years are mostly responsible, besides regular dust exposure for the association of skin diseases in cement workers.

Spirometric Outcomes and Oxidative Stress Among Cement Factory Workers

Cement industry workers are at high risk due to the dust emitted at various steps of its production. Pulmonary damage is the most important hazard. This work aimed to evaluate lung function and oxidative stress parameters of the workers. A cross-sectional study involving 97 workers in four cement factories was conducted from December/2019 to March/2020. Data collection was performed by spirometry test and measuring oxidative stress parameters. There were significant differences in forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) between workers in milling and packaging departments. Negative correlations were found between oxidative stress and spirometric parameters. Prolonged occupational exposure to cement dust could worsen the pulmonary function. Working in milling department is associated with a pronounced effect on oxidative stress. Higher oxidative stress parameters were associated with lower pulmonary function.

Prevalence of Pre Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among cement industry workers.

Objectives:Occupational and environmental pollution have become an imperative jeopardy for developing devastating metabolic diseases. Limited animal model studies have examined the impact of exposure to cement dust on metabolic conditions. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of pre-diabetes and Type-2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) among non-smoking cement mill workers.Methods:This epidemiological cross sectional study was conducted in the “Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia” during the period Oct 2016 to June 2017. Initially 310 cement mill workers were interviewed; after the interview and clinical history taking, 186 non-smoking cement mill employees were finally recruited. The cement mill employees were exposed to cement dust-related pollution in a cement industry for eight hours a day for six days a week. The mean age was 36.56 ± 0.78 years, mean BMI was 25.70 ± 0.29 m/kg2, and mean period of employment in the cement industry was 82.77 ± 6.95 months. HbA1c was measured using the Dimension Xpand Plus Integrated Chemistry System (USA).Results:The cement mill employees were divided into three groups: non-diabetics group, with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) <5.7%; pre-diabetics group, with HbA1c 5.7-6.4%; and diabetics group, with HbA1c >6.4%. Among the cement mill personnel, 79 (42.47%) were non-diabetics, 28 (15.05%) were pre-diabetics, and 79 (42.47%) were diabetics. The prevalence of pre-diabetes and T2DM among cement mill employees was considerably associated with the period of employment in the cement industry (p=0.032).Conclusions:Exposure to cement dust was associated with an increased prevalence of pre- diabetes and T2DM among cement industry employees.

Prevalence of Pre Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among cement industry workers

Objectives: Occupational and environmental pollution have become an imperative jeopardy for developing devastating metabolic diseases. Limited animal model studies have examined the impact of exposure to cement dust on metabolic conditions. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of pre-diabetes and Type-2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) among non-smoking cement mill workers.&#x0D; Methods: This epidemiological cross sectional study was conducted in the “Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia” during the period Oct 2016 to June 2017. Initially 310 cement mill workers were interviewed; after the interview and clinical history taking, 186 non-smoking cement mill employees were finally recruited. The cement mill employees were exposed to cement dust-related pollution in a cement industry for eight hours a day for six days a week. The mean age was 36.56 ± 0.78 years, mean BMI was 25.70 ± 0.29 m/kg2, and mean period of employment in the cement industry was 82.77 ± 6.95 months. HbA1c was measured using the Dimension Xpand Plus Integrated Chemistry System (USA).&#x0D; Results: The cement mill employees were divided into three groups: non-diabetics group, with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) &lt;5.7%; pre-diabetics group, with HbA1c 5.7-6.4%; and diabetics group, with HbA1c &gt;6.4%. Among the cement mill personnel, 79 (42.47%) were non-diabetics, 28 (15.05%) were pre-diabetics, and 79 (42.47%) were diabetics. The prevalence of pre-diabetes and T2DM among cement mill employees was considerably associated with the period of employment in the cement industry (p=0.032).&#x0D; Conclusions: Exposure to cement dust was associated with an increased prevalence of pre- diabetes and T2DM among cement industry employees.&#x0D; doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.1.1266&#x0D; How to cite this:Meo SA, Bin-Muneif YA, BenOmran NA, AlSadhan MA, Hashem RF, Alobaisi AS. Prevalence of Pre Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among cement industry workers. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(1):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.1.1266&#x0D; This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

The Effect of Hexavalent Chromium on the Incidence and Mortality of Human Cancers: A Meta-Analysis Based on Published Epidemiological Cohort Studies.

Background: Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is an occupational carcinogen that can cause lung and nasal cancers, but its association with mortality and incidence in many other cancers is unclear.Objectives: In this meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between exposure to Cr(VI) and the mortality and incidence of human cancers.Methods: We performed a search of the literature and extracted the standardized mortality ratios (SMRs), standardized incidence ratios (SIRs), and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), to estimate risk values. Subgroup analyses were conducted by sex, occupation, and types of cancer to identify groups that were at high-risk or predisposed to certain cancers.Results: A total of 47 cohort studies covering the period 1985–2016 were included (37 studies reporting SMRs and 16 studies reporting SIRs). The summary SMR for all studies combined was 1.07 (95% CI: 1.01–1.15). Summary SMRs were higher among chromate production workers, chrome platers, and masons, and especially male workers. In the subgroup analysis, Cr(VI) exposure was related to a higher risk of death owing to lung, larynx, bladder, kidney, testicular, bone, and thyroid cancer. The meta-SIR of all studies combined was 1.06 (95% CI: 1.04–1.09). Summary SIRs were elevated among cement industry workers and tanners. Cr(VI) exposure was related to an elevated risk of respiratory system, buccal cavity, pharynx, prostate, and stomach cancers.Conclusions: Cr(VI) might cause cancers of the respiratory system, buccal cavity and pharynx, prostate, and stomach in humans, and it is related to increased risk of overall mortality owing to lung, larynx, bladder, kidney, testicular, bone, and thyroid cancer. In addition, there was a strong association between incidence and mortality risk of cancers and concentration of Cr(VI) in the air and the exposure time.

A Study on Factors Influencing the Work Interference with Family and Family Interference with the Work of Selected Cement Industry Workers

Every individual plans his/her schedule for a day based on their work agenda. Things are not the same as they were before twenty five years. Quality of work life is something that each and every individual expects from their work in their life, from small job worker to a chief executive officer of a reputed organization. The benefits of quality of work life initiatives go to both employees and employers. The presence of quality of work life initiatives makes the employees feel safe, relatively well satisfied and provides them the opportunities to grow. Largely, it appears that the main concerns of an effective quality of work life program are improved working conditions mainly from the employee’s perspective and greater organizational effectiveness mainly from the employer’s perspective Considering how important quality of work life is for the employees as well as the employers, an attempt is made to measure the quality of work life measures in a leading and more vital sector in India which contributes significantly to the economical development of the country. Hence, the quality of work life and work life balance of cement industry workers the present study analyses factors influencing the work interference with family and family interference with the work of selected cement industry workers in selected industries.

Emission Level of PM2.5 and its Association With Chronic Respiratory Symptoms Among Workers in Cement Industry: A Case of Mugher Cement Industry, Central Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, occupation-related respiratory symptoms are extensively increasing with the expansion of cement manufacturing industries. However, little information is available on the extent of emissions and its association with chronic respiratory diseases. This study assessed the emission level of PM2.5 and its association with chronic respiratory symptoms among workers in Mugher Cement Factory, in 2018. A cross sectional study was employed on a total of 309 cement factory workers. Air check sampler, model 224-54, was used to measure the concentration of PM2.5. Variables with P value &lt; 0.2 during bivariate analysis were selected as candidate for multiple logistic regressions. Significance level was set at P value &lt;0.05. A total of 309 workers participated in the study with an overall response rate of 97%. The mean age of the respondents was 32.02 years (±4.7 SD). Emission levels of all PM2.5 samples were above the allowed standard. Among the workers, 50.8% had chronic respiratory symptoms and factors associated were: working in raw material receiving unit (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]= 7.5, 95% CI, 2.9, 19.4), cement milling unit (AOR = 2.4, 95 % CI ,1.2, 4.8), packing unit (AOR= 2.2, 95% CI= 1.1, 4.3), workers’ monthly income level below 3000 ETB (AOR; 5.8, 95% CI,1.9, 17.6), and workers’ regular medical checkup (AOR = 2.4, 95 % CI, 1.0, 5.2). The concentration level of PM2.5 and prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms were high in the study area. Use of personal protective devices and periodic monitoring of installed pollution control devices is highly recommended.

A study to assess the pulmonary functions in a cement ware house workers near railway station, Nishatpura, Bhopal

Background: It is unfortunate enough that cement industry workers despite of so many awareness campaigns, unable to seek protection against dust of cement and thus bound to face respiratory problems. In developing countries no legitimate bindings regarding protection of such workers though cement industry is one of the largest industries. Methods: Non probability sampling done in which cases taken from cement workers and control taken from nearby residents matched for age gender and smoking status of participants. Results: When studied for the restrictive and obstructive respiratory problems it was found 2.82 times and 4.71 times higher in cases respectively. When cases studied for duration of working against disease developed, it was found that 61.81% developed obstructive pulmonary disorder and proportion increased from 23.63% to 30.80 as the work span increased from 0-5 years to 5-15 years respectively. When it has been observed for restrictive pulmonary disorder, it has been increased from 3.6% to 5.4%. Conclusions: It has been observed that workers have either obstructive pulmonary dysfunction or normal pulmonary functions and on increasing the duration, number of workers with restrictive pulmonary function increases proportionately.

Dust exposure and the risk of cancer in cement industry workers in Korea

Cement is used widely in the construction industry, though it contains hazardous chemicals such as hexavalent chromium. Several epidemiological studies have examined the association between cement dust exposure and cancer, but these associations have proved inconclusive. In the present study, we examined the association between dust exposure and cancer in cement industry workers in Korea. Our cohort consisted of 1,324 men who worked at two Portland cement manufacturing factories between 1997 and 2005. We calculated cumulative dust exposures, then categorized workers into high and low dust exposure groups. Cancer cases were identified between 1997 and 2005 by linking with the national cancer registry. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for all workers and the high and low dust exposure groups, respectively. The SIR for overall cancers in all workers was increased (1.35, 95% CI: 1.01-1.78). The SIR for stomach cancer in the high dust exposure group was increased (2.18, 95% CI: 1.19-3.65), but there was no increased stomach cancer risk in the low dust exposure group. The SIR for rectal cancer in all workers was increased (3.05, 95% CI: 1.32-6.02). Rectal cancer risk was similar in the high and low exposure groups. Our findings suggest a potential association between exposure in the cement industry and an increased risk of stomach and rectal cancers. However, due to the small number of cases, this association should be further investigated in a study with a longer follow-up period and adjustment for confounders.

Cancer mortality and incidence in cement industry workers in Korea.

ObjectivesCement contains hexavalent chromium, which is a human carcinogen. However, its effect on cancer seems inconclusive in epidemiologic studies. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to elucidate the association between dust exposure in the cement industry and cancer occurrence.MethodsThe cohorts consisted of male workers in 6 Portland cement factories in Korea. Study subjects were classified into five groups by job: quarry, production, maintenance, laboratory, and office work. Cancer mortality and incidence in workers were observed from 1992 to 2007 and 1997-2005, respectively. Standardized mortality ratios and standardized incidence ratios were calculated according to the five job classifications.ResultsThere was an increased standardized incidence ratio for stomach cancer of 1.56 (27/17.36, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-2.26) in production workers. The standardized mortality ratio for lung cancer increased in production workers. However, was not statistically significant.ConclusionOur result suggests a potential association between cement exposure and stomach cancer. Hexavalent chromium contained in cement might be a causative carcinogen.

Biochemical indicators of occupational health hazards in Nkalagu cement industry workers, Nigeria

Routine diagnostic tests for some organ-system functions were adopted as biochemical probes in health screening of cement milling workers. Thirty-five volunteers from the Nkalagu cement industry, Nigeria were screened. Out of 14 biochemical parameters studied, raised levels of serum bicarbonates (HCO −), aspartic transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were observed among cement milling workers compared with a control population. Elevated bicarbonate values were found to differ statistically ( P<0.05) between the quarry workers and the rest of the volunteer work population. In a similar manner, elevated ALT values differ statistically ( P<0.05) between the kilning workers and the rest of the study population. Elevated bicarbonate values are associated with chronic bronchitis, while elevated values of AST and ALT suggest susceptibility to hepatitis, particularly anicteric hepatitis as the elevated values of the transaminase were not matched by a corresponding rise in serum bilirubin. The implications of this study to occupational health screening cannot be overemphasized.

Occupational upper respiratory tract and ear diseases in cement industry workers

The scarce and contradictory information about the effect of cement dust on the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract is considerably supplemented by Dr. Potapov's report on the results of a special team surveying the workers of the Volsk cement plants.