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Ngombe LK, Nlandu RN, Kazadi SN, Ilunga BK, Okitotsho SW, Sakatolo JBK, Numbi OL, Danuser B. [Dust Exposure and Respiratory Health Effects Among Stones Crushers in Haut-Katanga Province, D.R. Congo]. MEDECINE TROPICALE ET SANTE INTERNATIONALE 2021; 1:RTHG-RF19. [PMID: 35586640 PMCID: PMC9022764 DOI: 10.48327/rthg-rf19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of symptoms and respiratory diseases and to assess respiratory function in stones crushers stones in the province of Haut Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This cross-sectional analytical study included 293 stones crushers and 295 office workers from public administrative services. A standardized respiratory health questionnaire was used, and lung function test performed with the use of peak flow-meters. PM 2.5 and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in different places of work have also been measured. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was markedly higher in dust-exposed cement carriers than in controls. Air dust measurements showed higher mean PM 2.5 [197.5 μg/m3(range: 185-210 μg/m3) vs 33.5 μg/m3(range: 22-45 μg/m3)] and VOC [1.95 mg/m3(1.5-2.4 mg/m3) vs 0.75 mg/m3(0.6-0.9 mg/m3)] levels at stones crushers' worksites as compared with the control sites. On the other hand, peak flow rate (PEFR) was significantly lower in the exposed group as compared with the control group (421.84± 88.18 l/mn vs 450.37 ± 70.90 l/mn; p< 0.05). It is necessary to improve the environment and occupational conditions of stones crushers.
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Affiliation(s)
- L.-K. Ngombe
- Département de recherche, Institut supérieur des techniques médicales de Lubumbashi, République démocratique du Congo,Département de santé publique, Faculté de médecine, Unité de toxicologie, Université de Kamina, République démocratique du Congo,*
| | - R.-N. Nlandu
- Department of Public Health, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Japan
| | - S.-N. Kazadi
- Département de recherche, Institut supérieur des techniques médicales de Lubumbashi, République démocratique du Congo
| | - B.-K. Ilunga
- Département de santé publique, Faculté de médecine, Unité de toxicologie, Université de Kamina, République démocratique du Congo,Département de pédiatrie, Université de Lubumbashi, République démocratique du Congo
| | - S.-W. Okitotsho
- Département de pédiatrie, Université de Lubumbashi, République démocratique du Congo,École de santé publique, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, République démocratique du Congo
| | - J.-B. K. Sakatolo
- École de santé publique, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, République démocratique du Congo
| | - O.-L. Numbi
- Département de recherche, Institut supérieur des techniques médicales de Lubumbashi, République démocratique du Congo,Département de santé publique, Faculté de médecine, Unité de toxicologie, Université de Kamina, République démocratique du Congo,Département de pédiatrie, Université de Lubumbashi, République démocratique du Congo,École de santé publique, Université de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, République démocratique du Congo
| | - B. Danuser
- Service of Occupational Medicine, Institute for Work and Health, University of Lausanne and Geneva, Epalinges-Lausanne, Switzerland
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