Work

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

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: 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: . 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.

Source: African Health Sciences

DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v25i4.16

Authors: Isaac Ekow Ennin, Margaret Agyei Frempong, Francis A Yeboah, Raymond Saa-Eru Maalman

Institutions: University of Health and Allied Sciences, Central University, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Occupational exposure and asthma

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology