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Kumar N, Gaur P, Kaliappan S, Natrayan L, Socrates S, Patil PP, Thanappan S. Processing and Characterization of Novel Bio-Waste Hybrid Brick Composites for Pollution Control. Bioinorg Chem Appl 2022; 2022:3127135. [PMID: 35910304 PMCID: PMC9334086 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3127135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The main focus of this research is to enhance the use of eco-friendly materials these days. The current materials used in building construction are chemical-based and are harmful to humans and the environment. This research work has developed a new type of hybrid brick by using natural fibres and waste materials. This research focuses on fabricating novel bricks reinforced with different percentages of coconut waste fibre, wheat straw fibre, waste wood animal dung ash, gypsum, sand, and cement. The fabricated novel brick's physical, mechanical, chemical, acoustic, and heat-absorbing properties were evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naresh Kumar
- Mechanical Engineering Department, Green Hills Engineering College, Solan 173229, India
| | - Piyush Gaur
- School of Aeronautical Science, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Padur, Chennai 603103, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S. Kaliappan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Velammal Institute of Technology, Chennai 601204, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - L. Natrayan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai 602105, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S. Socrates
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Velammal Institute of Technology, Chennai 601204, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Pravin P. Patil
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graphic Era Deemed to be University, Bell Road, Clement Town, Dehradun 248002, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Subash Thanappan
- Department of Civil Engineering, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia
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Meo SA, Muneif YAB, 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; 36:32-36. [PMID: 32063927 PMCID: PMC6994864 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.36.2.1266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sultan Ayoub Meo
- Dr. Sultan Ayoub Meo, MBBS, PhD. Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yasser Abdullah Bin Muneif
- Dr. Yasser Abdullah Bin Muneif, MBBS. Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nasser Abdullah BenOmran
- Dr. Nasser Abdullah BenOmran, MBBS. Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Abdullah AlSadhan
- Dr. Mohammad Abdullah AlSadhan, MBBS. Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Raed Fuad Hashem
- Dr. Raed Fuad Hashem, MBBS, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Saud Alobaisi
- Dr. Abdullah Saud Alobaisi, MBBS. Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Rahmani AH, Almatroudi A, Babiker AY, Khan AA, Alsahly MA. Effect of Exposure to Cement Dust among the Workers: An Evaluation of Health Related Complications. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2018; 6:1159-1162. [PMID: 29983820 PMCID: PMC6026423 DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2018.233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cement contains various types of chemicals in addition to lime and silica, and such chemicals cause different health complications and pathogenesis in addition to respiratory disorders. The most important occupational hazards for cement workers are allergy and complication related to respiratory system. AIM: The current study was performed by analysing the questionnaire distributed among the workers and also by the sputum collected from them to study the general health conditions and other life activities. METHODS: Sputum samples were assayed for cytological analysis by Hematoxylin and Eosin staining. RESULTS: In this study, it was observed that majority of these workers suffered from different types of respiratory complications, such as a cough, asthma and lung infections. In addition to this, few subjects showed allergy and other complication like hypertension, diabetes and backache. Moreover, cytological analysis of the sputum was made, and it was observed that majority of the subjects showed severe inflammation. CONCLUSION: Based on these finding, we concluded that long-term cement dust exposure and inhalation causes respiratory complications due to epithelial tissue damage and that can lead to secondary complications as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arshad H Rahmani
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad Almatroudi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Yousif Babiker
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amjad A Khan
- Department of Basic Health Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed A Alsahly
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia
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RACHIOTIS G, KOSTIKAS K, PINOTSI D, HADJICHRISTODOULOU C, DRIVAS S. Prevalence of lung function impairment among Greek cement production workers: a cross-sectional study. INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 2018; 56:49-52. [PMID: 28835577 PMCID: PMC5800865 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2017-0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Greece is a significant cement producing country. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of lung function impairment among Greek cement workers. One hundred thirty- seven cement production workers participated in this study. In addition, 110 employees not exposed to cement dust comprised the control group. The concentration of cement total dust at workplace varied from 1.1 to 11.6 mg/m3. In only one of the measurements, the Threshold Limit Level of 10 mg/m3 has been exceeded. Cement production workers presented a higher prevalence of FEV1<80% in comparison to controls (13.9% vs. 2.7%; Chi-Square Test; p=0.002). Multivariate analysis has shown that cement production workers have recorded an almost 5 fold risk of low lung function, as expressed by FEV1<80%, in comparison to the reference population OR=4.92; 95% C.I.=1.22-12.62). Current smoking was associated with an almost 4- fold increased risk of FEV1<80% (OR=3.91;95% C.I.=1.32-11.56). In conclusion, we found a high prevalence of impaired lung function among Greek cement production workers, despite the fact that total and inhalable dust levels were below the occupational exposure limits.
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Affiliation(s)
- George RACHIOTIS
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, University of Thessaly, Greece
| | - Konstantinos KOSTIKAS
- Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, University of Thessaly, Greece
| | | | | | - Spyros DRIVAS
- Greek Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Greece
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Meo SA, Al-Drees AM, Al Masri AA, Al Rouq F, Azeem MA. Effect of duration of exposure to cement dust on respiratory function of non-smoking cement mill workers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2013; 10:390-8. [PMID: 23325026 PMCID: PMC3564149 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph10010390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2012] [Revised: 01/05/2013] [Accepted: 01/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effect of long term exposure to cement dust on lung function in non-smoking cement mill workers. This is a cross-sectional study of respiratory functions. Spirometry was performed in 100 apparently healthy volunteers; 50 non-smoking cement mill workers and 50 non-smoking un-exposed subjects. Based on the duration of exposure, cement mill workers were divided into three groups, less than 5, 5–10 and greater than 10 years. All subjects were individually matched for age, height, weight, and socioeconomic status. Pulmonary function test was performed by using an electronic spirometer. Significant reduction was observed in the mean values of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) and Maximal Voluntary Ventilation in cement mill workers who had been working in the cement industry for more than 10 years compared to their matched un-exposed group. Lung functions in cement mill workers were significantly impaired and results show a long term duration response effect of years of exposure to cement dust on lung functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sultan Ayoub Meo
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2925, Riyadh, 11461, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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Bauer M, Gräbsch C, Gminski R, Ollmann AIH, Borm P, Dietz A, Herbarth O, Wichmann G. Cement-related particles interact with proinflammatory IL-8 chemokine from human primary oropharyngeal mucosa cells and human epithelial lung cancer cell line A549. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2012; 27:297-306. [PMID: 20803486 DOI: 10.1002/tox.20643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2010] [Revised: 07/02/2010] [Accepted: 07/14/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have shown that respirable exposure to emitted cement particulate matter is associated with adverse health risk for human. The underlying mechanisms, however, are poorly understood. To examine the effect of cement, nine blinded cement-related particulates (<10 μm) were assessed with regard to their induction of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 in human primary epithelial cells (pEC) from oropharyngeal mucosa as well as from nonsmall-cell lung carcinoma (non-SCLC) cells A549. It was demonstrated that the cement specimens did not act cytotoxic as assessed by the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. The basal and IL-1β-induced IL-8 expression was suppressed, in contrast to an unchanged IL-6. At the transcript level the basal and induced IL-6 and IL-8 gene expression was not influenced by cement dust. To discover the mechanism by which cement influenced the IL-8 expression the following experiments were performed. Submerse exposure experiments have shown that the release of IL-8 was suppressed by cement dust. Furthermore, the incubation of IL-8 with cement-related specimens under cell-free condition led to a loss of immunoreactive IL-8. An immunological masking of IL-8 by free soluble components of respiratory epithelial cells was excluded. Thus, the decrease of IL-8 protein content after cement exposure seems to be a result of the adsorption of IL-8 protein to cement particles and the inhibition of IL-8 release. In conclusion, due to absent cytotoxic and inflammatory effects of cement-related specimens in both human pEC and A549 cell models it remains open how cement exposure may lead to the respiratory adverse effects in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Bauer
- Department of Environmental Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
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Kakooei H, Kakouei AA, Poornajaf A, Ferasaty F. Variability in total dust exposure in a cement factory. INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 2011; 50:64-68. [PMID: 22146146 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.ms1311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Exposure assessment is a main component of epidemiologic studies and variability in exposure. This assessment is considered as a common approach for such phenomenon. A total of 129 dust samples were collected randomly from 197 personnel from a cement factory located in Ilam province, during 2009 in Iran. The between- and within-group components of variability were determined to assess the contrast in exposure level between the Similar Exposure Groups (SEGs) and to calculate the within-worker geometric standard deviation of the theoretical exposure-response slope. Results were analyzing by one-way random effects model. According to the mentioned model, the probability of long-term mean exposure exceeding to the occupational exposure limit (OEL) was assessed for each SEGs. The arithmetic means (AM) of total dust levels ranged from 0.04 to 39.37 mg/m(3). The geometric means (GM) of total dust were higher in the crusher (20.84 mg/m(3)), packing (17.29 mg/m(3)), kiln (16.78 mg/m(3)), cement mill (14.90 mg/m(3)), and raw mill (10.44 mg/m(3)). However, the figures for the maintenance and administration parts were 3.77 mg/m(3) and 1.01 mg/m(3), respectively. The random effects model data demonstrated that the F-value calculated was greater than the critical F-value approximately 59% of the variability in the exposure was due to differences between groups. Based on these finding, the order of probability of the long-term mean exposure exceeding (Z) to the OEL of 10 mg/m(3) for total dust which were in kiln (100%), packing (100%), cement mill (90%), crusher (73%), raw mill (60%) administration (2.3%) and the maintenance parts (0%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Kakooei
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Zeleke ZK, Moen BE, Bråtveit M. Excessive exposure to dust among cleaners in the Ethiopian cement industry. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2011; 8:544-550. [PMID: 21830870 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2011.601711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Personal exposure to dust in cement factories occurs at all stages of the production process and is likely to vary between different stages of the process. Previous studies on cement production have focused on dust exposure among process operators and machine attendants. This study characterizes personal exposure to total and respirable dust among production workers in two cement factories in Ethiopia, with particular focus on cleaners. In Ethiopian cement plants, flow lines are partly open, and cleaning workers use brooms and shovels to remove dust that has settled on floors and machines. Personal full-shift samples of total (n = 150) and respirable dust (n = 36) were taken in the breathing zones of 105 cement workers. Samples of total and respirable dust were collected on 37-mm cellulose acetate filters of closed-face cassettes and in plastic respirable cyclones, respectively. In both factories, cleaners had significantly higher exposures to total and respirable dust than other production workers. Among cleaners, the geometric means for total and respirable dust exposure were 549 and 6.8 mg/m(3) in Factory A, and 153 and 2.8 mg/m(3) in Factory B. Temporal variability (within-worker) dominated the variability in the cleaners' total dust exposures. The distance from machines while performing cleaning tasks and the fraction of working hours spent on cleaning explained about 73% of the temporal variability in total dust exposure among cleaners. Only 7% of the production workers used respiratory protective devices. Preventive measures are needed to reduce dust exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyede K Zeleke
- Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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Bwalya D, Bråtveit M, Moen BE. Chronic respiratory symptoms among workers at a limestone factory in Zambia. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH 2011; 66:47-50. [PMID: 21337186 DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2010.506498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Limestone processing is a global industry, but few studies have assessed respiratory health among limestone workers. At a limestone factory in Zambia, the authors studied 70 high-exposed workers from the production department, 40 medium-exposed from engineering, and 30 low-exposed from administration. A modified British Medical Research Council respiratory questionnaire was used for recording chronic respiratory symptoms. The prevalence of symptoms was highest among the production workers. After adjusting for age, smoking, previous jobs, and past respiratory diseases, the production workers still had a significantly increased relative risk for cough day and night, cough 4 to 6 times daily in a month, and cough with sputum. The results indicate that exposure to limestone dust is associated with increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms. Until newer technology is installed, proper use of personal protective equipments should be emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doreen Bwalya
- Department for Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Zeleke ZK, Moen BE, Bråtveit M. Cement dust exposure and acute lung function: a cross shift study. BMC Pulm Med 2010; 10:19. [PMID: 20398255 PMCID: PMC2865447 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2466-10-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2010] [Accepted: 04/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Few studies have been carried out on acute effects of cement dust exposure. This study is conducted to investigate the associations between current "total" dust exposure and acute respiratory symptoms and respiratory function among cement factory workers. Methods A combined cross-sectional and cross-shift study was conducted in Dire Dawa cement factory in Ethiopia. 40 exposed production workers from the crusher and packing sections and 20 controls from the guards were included. Personal "total" dust was measured in the workers' breathing zone and peak expiratory flow (PEF) was measured for all selected workers before and after the shift. When the day shift ended, the acute respiratory symptoms experienced were scored and recorded on a five-point Likert scale using a modified respiratory symptom score questionnaire. Results The highest geometric mean dust exposure was found in the crusher section (38.6 mg/m3) followed by the packing section (18.5 mg/m3) and the guards (0.4 mg/m3). The highest prevalence of respiratory symptoms for the high exposed workers was stuffy nose (85%) followed by shortness of breath (47%) and "sneezing" (45%). PEF decreased significantly across the shift in the high exposed group. Multiple linear regression showed a significant negative association between the percentage cross-shift change in PEF and total dust exposure. The number of years of work in high-exposure sections and current smoking were also associated with cross-shift decrease in PEF. Conclusions Total cement dust exposure was related to acute respiratory symptoms and acute ventilatory effects. Implementing measures to control dust and providing adequate personal respiratory protective equipment for the production workers are highly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyede K Zeleke
- Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Overlege Danielsens Hus, Arstadveien 21, N-5020 Bergen, Norway.
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Effect of cement dust exposure on phagocytic function of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in cement mill workers. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2008; 21:133-9. [PMID: 18715837 DOI: 10.2478/v10001-008-0017-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Exposure to cement dust can cause various occupational health problems due to its increasing incidence and long-term complications. However, the influence of cement dust on phagocytic function of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), has not as yet been investigated. Therefore, the aim of the study was to measure the phagocytic activity of PMNs by assessing chemilumiscence (CL) response in cement mill workers and controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, 50 volunteer males, aged 25-60 years, apparently healthy and nonsmoking, were randomly selected from among cement mill workers. These workers were further classified into subgroups based on exposure duration of less than 10, 10-20, and more than 20 years. The controls were 50 healthy, nonsmoking, males who matched the study group with respect to age, height, weight, and socioeconomic status. The phagocytic function of PMNs, stimulated with opsonized zymosan, was determined by measuring CL response. RESULTS The findings show a significant decrease in phagocytic activity of PMNs [PMNs OPZ p < 0.005] in cement mill workers compared to controls. CONCLUSION It is concluded that exposure to cement dust can impair the phagocytic function of PMNs which is reflected in decreased chemiluminescence response.
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Meo SA, Azeem MA, Qureshi AA, Ghori GM, Al-Drees AM, Feisal Subhan MM. Dose response effect of cement dust on respiratory muscles competence in cement mill workers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2006; 16:439-47. [PMID: 17164170 DOI: 10.1080/09603120601095951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Electromyography (EMG) of respiratory muscles is a reliable method of assessing the ventilatory muscle function, but still its use has not been fully utilized to determine the occupational and environmental hazards on respiratory muscles. Therefore, EMG of intercostal muscles was performed to determine the dose response effect of cement dust on respiratory muscles competence. Matched cross-sectional study of EMG in 50 non-smoking cement mill workers with an age range of 20 - 60 years, who worked without the benefit of cement dust control ventilation or respiratory protective devices. EMG was performed by using surface electrodes and chart recorder. Significant reduction was observed in number of peaks (p < 0.0005), maximum peak amplitude (p < 0.0005), peak-to-peak amplitude (p < 0.0005) and duration of response (p < 0.0005) in cement mill workers compared to their matched control. Cement dust impairs the intercostal muscle competence and stratification of results shows a dose-effect of years of exposure in cement mill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sultan A Meo
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Hamdard University, Pakistan.
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Groneberg DA, Nowak D, Wussow A, Fischer A. Chronic cough due to occupational factors. J Occup Med Toxicol 2006; 1:3. [PMID: 16722562 PMCID: PMC1436005 DOI: 10.1186/1745-6673-1-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2005] [Accepted: 02/02/2006] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the large variety of subtypes of chronic cough, either defined by their clinical or pathogenetic causes, occupational chronic cough may be regarded as one of the most preventable forms of the disease. Next to obstructive airway diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which are sometimes concomitant with chronic cough, this chronic airway disease gains importance in the field of occupational medicine since classic fiber-related occupational airway diseases will decrease in the future. Apart from acute accidents and incidental exposures which may lead to an acute form of cough, there are numerous sources for the development of chronic cough within the workplace. Over the last years, a large number of studies has focused on occupational causes of respiratory diseases and it has emerged that chronic cough is one of the most prevalent work-related airway diseases. Best-known examples of occupations related to the development of cough are coal miners, hard-rock miners, tunnel workers, or concrete manufacturing workers. As chronic cough is often based on a variety of non-occupational factors such as tobacco smoke, a distinct separation into either occupational or personally -evoked can be difficult. However, revealing the occupational contribution to chronic cough and to the symptom cough in general, which is the commonest cause for the consultation of a physician, can significantly lead to a reduction of the socioeconomic burden of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Groneberg
- Division of Allergy Research, Otto-Heubner-Centre, Charité School of Medicine, Free University and Humboldt-University, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dennis Nowak
- Institute and Outpatient Clinics for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Anke Wussow
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, University of Lübeck, 23538 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Axel Fischer
- Division of Allergy Research, Otto-Heubner-Centre, Charité School of Medicine, Free University and Humboldt-University, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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Mwaiselage J, Moen B, Bråtveit M. Acute respiratory health effects among cement factory workers in Tanzania: an evaluation of a simple health surveillance tool. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2005; 79:49-56. [PMID: 16049720 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-005-0019-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2004] [Accepted: 06/28/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The effects of cement dust exposure on acute respiratory health were assessed among 51 high exposed and 33 low exposed male cement workers. The ability of the questionnaire to diagnose acute decrease in ventilatory function was also assessed. METHODS Acute respiratory symptoms were recorded by interview using a structured optimal symptom score questionnaire. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) was measured preshift and postshift for each worker with a Mini-Wright PEF meter. Personal respirable dust (n=30) and total dust (n=15) were measured with 37-mm Cyclone and 37-mm closed-faced Millipore cassette. Twenty-nine workers had concurrent respirable dust, PEF and questionnaire on the same day. RESULTS The geometric means of personal respirable dust and total dust among high exposed were 4.0 and 13.2 mg/m(3), respectively, and 0.7 and 1.0 mg/m(3) among low exposed. High exposed workers had more acute cough, shortness of breath and stuffy nose than the low exposed. Mean percentage cross-shift decrease in PEF was significantly more pronounced among high exposed workers than low exposed (95% CI 1.1, 6.1%). For workers with concurrent respirable dust, PEF and questionnaire assessment, an exposure-response relationship was found between log-transformed respirable dust and percentage cross-shift decrease in PEF (4.5% per unit of log-respirable dust in mg/m(3) ; 95% CI 3.3, 5.6%). Respirable dust exposure >/=2.0 mg/m(3) versus <2.0 mg/m(3) was associated with increased prevalence ratio for cough (7.9) and shortness of breath (4.2). Shortness of breath was associated with the highest sensitivity (0.87) and specificity (0.83) for diagnosing a percentage cross-shift decrease in PEF of >/=10%. CONCLUSION The observed acute respiratory health effects among the workers are most likely due to exposure to high concentrations of irritant cement dust. The results also highlight the usefulness of the questionnaire for health surveillance of the acute respiratory health effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius Mwaiselage
- Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Armauer Hansen Building N-5021, Bergen, Norway.
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Newson-Smith M. Cement dust exposure and ventilatory function impairment: an exposure-response study. J Occup Environ Med 2005; 47:1; author reply 1-2. [PMID: 15643153 DOI: 10.1097/01.jom.0000150403.72396.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Mwaiselage J, Bråtveit M, Moen B, Mashalla Y. Cement dust exposure and ventilatory function impairment: an exposure-response study. J Occup Environ Med 2004; 46:658-67. [PMID: 15247805 DOI: 10.1097/01.jom.0000131787.02250.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We investigated cumulative total cement dust exposure and ventilatory function impairment at a Portland cement factory in Tanzania. All 126 production workers were exposed. The control group comprised all 88 maintenance workers and 32 randomly chosen office workers. Exposed workers had significantly lower forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate (PEF), FEV1/FVC, FVC%, FEV1% and PEF%, than controls adjusted for age, duration of employment, height, and pack-years. Cumulative total dust exposure was significantly associated with reduced FVC, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and peak expiratory flow rate adjusted for age, height and pack-years. Cumulative total dust exposure more than 300 mg/m year versus lower than 100 mg/m years was significantly associated with increased risk of developing airflow limitation (odds ratio = 9.9). The current occupational exposure limit for total cement dust (10 mg/m) appears to be too high to prevent respiratory health effects among cement workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius Mwaiselage
- Center for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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Abou-Taleb AN, Musaiger AO, Abdelmoneim RB. Health status of cement workers in the United Arab Emirates. JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF HEALTH 1995; 115:378-81. [PMID: 8568787 DOI: 10.1177/146642409511500610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate some of the health problems among cement workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A cross-sectional sample of 304 workers was selected randomly from four cement factories in four Emirates. Most of the workers (88%) were from India, married (84%) and had received primary education or above (93%). Smoking was prevalent among 27% of the workers and about 24% consumed alcoholic beverages. Personal hygiene was found to be satisfactory among the workers. The main health symptoms reported by the cement workers were chronic cough, chronic bronchitis, burning, itching and runny eyes, headache and fatigue. Chronic bronchitis (p < 0.007), burning, itching and runny eyes (p < 0.002) and fatigue (p < 0.004) were significantly increased with age of workers. Smoking was significantly associated with chronic cough (p < 0.03) and chronic bronchitis (p < 0.01). However, the chance of smokers getting respiratory health problems was two to five times greater compared with non-smokers. Future studies on the health of workers in UAE should include more investigations using specialised equipment to detect and diagnose health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- A N Abou-Taleb
- Dept of Occupational Health, Ministry of Health, United Arab Emirates
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Parekh P, Khan A, Davin M. X-ray powder diffractometry of emissions from the cement industry. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1989. [DOI: 10.1016/0004-6981(89)90170-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Abstract
Industrial development in Africa has carried with it significant health costs. These costs are normally defined rather narrowly by those concerned about occupational or industrial health and safety and refer only to the health consequences of worker exposure to specific hazardous processes, materials or environmental conditions associated with the workplace. A more comprehensive measurement of industrial health costs, however, must also include an assessment of the impact which industrial development and the creation of an industrial workforce has on ecological relationships, environmental conditions and patterns of sickness and health in the areas surrounding industrial centers. Traditional definitions of occupational health also tend to focus attention on the immediate causal linkages which exist between the development of particular industrial processes and specific health hazards. Yet any attempt to fully understand the causes of industrial health problems in Africa must look beyond these immediate causal linkages and examine the wider political and economic forces which determine the shape of industrial development and the extent to which the health costs of this development are borne by industrial workers and their families, as well as by people who may not be directly or even indirectly connected to industrial development, but may, nonetheless, be exposed to its health risks. The paper surveys the direct and indirect health costs of mining, large scale agriculture, and manufacturing in Africa and examines the economic and political interests which have determined the distribution of these costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Packard
- Department of History, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155
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