Evaluation of Peak Expiratory Flow Rates (PEFR) of Workers In A Cement Factory In Port Harcourt, South- South, Nigeria

Authors

  • Kingsley Enyinnah Douglas Department of Community Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt
  • Datonye Dennis Alasia Department of Internal Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60787/tnhj.v12i4.143

Keywords:

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Respiratory Health, Cement Dust, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Occupational lung diseases (OLD) remain one of the most common workplace health challenges since the industrial revolution. One of the risks for OLD is the exposure to cement dust which is associated with varying degrees of respiratory symptoms and reduction in lung function. This study aimed to measure the peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) of workers in a cement manufacturing company in Port Harcourt and estimate the determinants of the measured rates.

Method: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 105 workers of a cement company who presented for the annual fitness to work exercise were sampled and had their peak expiratory flow rates measured using a spirometer. Data were also collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and a walk through survey carried out to examine workplace situation. The results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: The study showed that 13.3% of the workers had abnormal (i.e low) PEFR. The lowest mean PEFR of 327.5L/min was found among workers who had worked for 21 23 years and worked mainly at the production and bagging area. Most of the workers (81.9%) made effective use of some form of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Conclusion: Reduction in the PEFR implied that prolonged exposure to cement dust may result in decreased lung function and by extension pulmonary disease. The high percentage of normal PEFR found among the workers, irrespective of their duration of work, could be attributed to the effective use of the PPE.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Oleru U G. Pulmonary Function and Symptoms of Nigerian workers exposed to cement dust. Environ. Research. 1984; 33: 379-385.

W.F. Ganong: Review of Medical Physiology, nd22Edition, 2005, Pg 647-9.

Hogue DE, Van Soet PJ, Stouffer JR, Earl GH, Gutenmann WH and Lisk DJ. Cement kiln dust as a Selenium source in sheep rations. Corneal Vet. 1981; 71: 69-75.

Lea FM. The Chemistry of cement and concrete.Thirdedition.NewYor.kChemical publisher I.N.C. 1971; 1-15.

Brochaus A, Dolgner R, Ewers U, Kramer U, Soddemmann H and Wiegand H. Intake and health effects of thallium among a population living in the vicinity of cement plant emitting thallium containing dust. Int. Arch Occup. Environ. Health. 1981; 48: 375-389.

Short S and Petsonk E L. Non-fibrous inorganic dusts. In: Philip Harber, Marc B Schenker and John R Balmes. Occupational and environmental respiratory disease. London. Mosby, 1996: 356.

EL-Sewefy A Z, Awad S and Metwally M. Spirometric measurements in an Egyptian Portland cement factory. J. Egypt. Med. Asso. 1970; 53: 179-186.

Abudhaise BA, Rabi AZ, Zwairy MAA, Hader AFE and Qaderi SE. Pulmonary manifestation in cement workers in Jordan. Int. J. Occup. Med. Environ. Health 1997; 10: 417-428.

Yang CY, Huang CC, Chiu HF, Chiu JF, Lan SJ, and Ko YC. Effects of Occupational dust exposure on the respiratory health of Portlandcementworkers.J.Taxicol.Environ. Health. 1996; 49: 581-588.

Green GM. The J. Burns Amberson lecture. In defense of lung. Am. Rev. Rep. Dis. 1970; 102: 691-703.

MorganWKC.Thedepositionandclearance of dust from the lungs their role in the etiology of occupational lung disease. In: Morgan,WKC and Seaton AWB. Occupational lung diseases. Philadelphia, Saunders 1984: 78.

Sheppard D, Hughson WG and Shellito J. Occupational lung diseases. In: Joseph La Dou, Occupational Medicine, USA, Appleton and Lange, 1990: 221-236.

Abou Taleb, A.N.M., Musaniger, AO. and Abdel moneim, R B. Health status of cementworkersintheUnitedArabEmirates. J. Roy. Soc. Health. 1995; 2:378-383.

Rafnsson V, Gunnarsdottir H. and Kiilunen M. Risk of lung cancer among masons in Iceland. Occup. Environ. Med. 1997; 54: 184-188.

Mc Dowall ME. A mortality study of cement workers. Br. J. Ind. Med. 1984; 41: 179-182.

Vestbo J, Knudsen KM, Raffn E, Korsgaard B, Rasmussen FV. Exposure to cement dust at a Portland cement factory and the risk of cancer. Br. J.Ind. Med. 1991; 48: 803-7.

Elebute EA, Femi-Pearse D. Peak Flow Rate In Nigeria: Anthropometric Determinants And Usefulness In Assessment Of Ventilatory Function. Thorax,1971; 26: 578 600.

Downloads

Published

2015-12-22

How to Cite

Douglas, K. E., & Alasia, D. D. (2015). Evaluation of Peak Expiratory Flow Rates (PEFR) of Workers In A Cement Factory In Port Harcourt, South- South, Nigeria. The Nigerian Health Journal, 12(4), 97. https://doi.org/10.60787/tnhj.v12i4.143
Abtract Views | PDF Download | EPUB Download: 927 / 65

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 3 4 > >> 

Similar Articles

<< < 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.