Assessment of pulmonary function among woodworkers exposed to mixed tropical hardwood dust in Kumasi, Ghana.

INTRODUCTION

Several studies have shown that woodworkers present with frequent respiratory symptoms and reduced lung volume and airflow values, including FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and PEFR, than controls from the general population. However, other studies have reported no significant negative health effects of wood dust on the respiratory system. The effect of wood dust on pulmonary function depends on the wood species, phytochemicals present in the wood, and the concentration level of ambient air wood dust. The ambient air dust concentration level at the wood workshops may depend on the humidity and ventilation at the workshops. This study aimed at assessing the pulmonary function of woodworkers exposed to mixed tropical hardwoods in Kumasi, Ghana.

METHOD: The study was conducted among woodworkers, teachers, and security men located in Kumasi. A cross-sectional, clustered, and convenient sample of 195 adult male workers (96 woodworkers and 99 non-wood workers) were enrolled for the study. Pulmonary function assessment was carried out using an adapted version of the British Medical Research Council's (MRC) questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and apirometer (Alpha Vitalograph) for lung function testing. The relative humidity and the level of wood dust exposure to woodworkers were measured using the personal exposure meter (PATS+: Berkeley Air Monitoring Group) from the Environmental Protection Authority.

RESULTS

The mean percentage relative humidity in the workshop was 68%, and the ambient air wood dust concentration ranged between 0.003 and 1.02 mg/m3. Respiratory symptoms prevalent at the workplace among woodworkers ranged between 8-76% (p<0.05). The VC and FVC values were significantly low in the woodworkers (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The study revealed that woodworkers exposed to mixed tropical hardwood dust without personal protection equipment showed an increase in the prevalence of rhinitis and sneezing and a significant reduction in the VC and FVC values at the workplace.