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Self?reported disease symptoms of stone quarry workers exposed to silica dust in Ghana

ABSTRACT: Abstract Background and aims Understanding the importance of using personal protective equipment (PPE) and the influence of work?post (working distance to main dust source—crusher) in stone quarries is vital for designing tailored interventions in minimizing workers' exposure to silica dust. Nonetheless, studies on silica dust and disease symptoms in Ghana are nascent. This study assessed how work?post and use of required PPE jointly influence exposure to silica dust and disease symptoms in Ghana. Methods Generalized linear models (complementary log?log regression) were fitted to cross?sectional survey data of 524 stone quarry workers in Ghana to assess the joint effect of work?post and PPE usage on self?reported disease symptoms while controlling for relevant compositional and contextual factors. Results Stone quarry workers who work between 1?100?m and beyond 100?m from the crusher with the required PPE were 90% and 87% respectively less likely to report eye irritation compared with their counterparts who work between 1 and 100?m from the crusher without the required PPE. Individuals who work between 1?100?m and beyond 100?m from the crusher with the required PPE were 94% and 95% respectively less likely to report breathing difficulty compared with the reference group. Workers who work between 1?100?m and beyond 100?m from the crusher with the required PPE were 97% and 99% respectively less likely to report coughing compared with the reference group. Workers who work between 1?100?m and beyond 100?m from the crusher with the required PPE were 93% and 97% respectively less likely to report common cold compared with their counterparts who work between 1 and 100?m from the crusher without the required PPE. Conclusion There are adverse health implications for people who work in silica dust polluted environments, suggesting the need for a national safety and health policy to target them.

SUBMITTER: Ahadzi D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7534518 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundAn epidemic of CKD in Central America predominantly affects males working in certain industries, including sugarcane. Urinary tract infections are commonly diagnosed among men in Nicaragua, who often receive antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for urinary symptoms.MethodsWe followed 251 male Nicaraguan sugarcane workers in seven job tasks over one harvest and measured urine dipstick parameters, kidney injury biomarkers, and eGFR. We administered a questionnaire about urinary symptoms, health-related behaviors, and medication history. We cultured urine in a subset of workers.ResultsThe study population was composed of factory workers (23%), cane cutters (20%), irrigators (20%), drivers (16%), agrichemical applicators (12%), seeders/reseeders (6%), and seed cutters (4%). The mean age of participants was 33.9 years, and mean employment duration was 10.1 years. Cane cutters reported higher proportions of urinary-related symptoms compared with agrichemical applicators, irrigators, and seeders/reseeders. Seed cutters were more likely to take antibiotics (22%), whereas drivers and seeders/reseeders were more likely to take pain medications (27% and 27%, respectively). Proteinuria was uncommon, whereas dipstick leukocyte esterase was relatively common, especially among cane cutters, seed cutters, and seeders/reseeders (33%, 22%, and 21% at late harvest, respectively). Dipstick leukocyte esterase at late harvest was associated with a 12.9 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (95% CI, -18.7 to -7.0) lower mean eGFR and 2.8 times (95% CI, 1.8 to 4.3) higher mean neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin. In general, workers who reported urinary-related symptoms had higher mean kidney injury biomarker levels at late harvest. None of the workers had positive urine cultures, including those reporting urinary symptoms and/or with positive leukocyte esterase results. Amoxicillin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen were the most commonly used medications.ConclusionsJob task is associated with urinary symptoms and dipstick leukocyte esterase. Urinary tract infection is misdiagnosed based on leukocyte esterase, which may be an important predictor of kidney outcomes.

Project description:Dust and fumes are complex mixtures of airborne gases and fine particles present in all environments inhabited by people. This study investigated the relationship between occupational dust exposure levels and mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia or sleep disturbance. We analyzed data from the third and fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) conducted by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency in 2011 and 2014. We performed chi-square tests to compare the different baseline and occupational characteristics and mental health status according to occupational dust exposure levels. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for mental health symptoms (fatigue, depression or anxiety, and insomnia or sleep disturbance) were calculated using adjusted multiple logistic regression models. A total of 78,512 participants (43,979 in men, 34,533 in women) were included in this study. Among them, 6,013 (7.7%) and 2,625 (3.3%) reported "moderate" and "severe" dust exposure, respectively. Among those who answered "yes" to depression or anxiety, fatigue, insomnia or sleep disturbance, 50 (4.6%), 961 (4.8%), and 123 (5.9%), respectively, demonstrated "severe" occupational dust exposure. Compared to "low" levels of dust exposure, "moderate" and "severe" exposure increased the risk of depression and anxiety (OR = 1.09, 95%CI: 0.88-1.36; OR = 1.16, 95%CI: 0.87-1.58, per exposure respectively); however, this was not statistically significant. For fatigue, significance was observed for "moderate" 1.54 (1.46-1.64) and "severe" 1.65 (1.52-1.80) exposure levels. "Severe" levels increased the risk of insomnia or sleep disturbance (OR = 1.52, 95%CI: 1.25-1.85). These results suggest that the "dust annoyance" concept of mental health, which may be explained by a neurocognitive mechanism, is plausible. Occupational "dust annoyance" has been linked to workers' mental health status, particularly in terms of fatigue and sleep disturbance; a dose-response relationship has been observed. Workers should be protected against dust to support their health and productivity.

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Self?reported disease symptoms of stone quarry workers exposed to silica dust in Ghana

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