| Title: | "[Dust Exposure and Respiratory Health Effects Among Stones Crushers in Haut-Katanga Province, D.R. Congo]" |
| Author(s): | Ngombe LK; Nlandu RN; Kazadi SN; Ilunga BK; Okitotsho SW; Sakatolo JK; Numbi OL; Danuser B; |
| Address: | "Departement de recherche, Institut superieur des techniques medicales de Lubumbashi, Republique democratique du Congo. Departement de sante publique, Faculte de medecine, Unite de toxicologie, Universite de Kamina, Republique democratique du Congo. Department of Public Health, Kagawa University School of Medicine, Miki, Japan. Departement de pediatrie, Universite de Lubumbashi, Republique democratique du Congo. Ecole de sante publique, Universite de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Republique democratique du Congo. Service of Occupational Medicine, Institute for Work and Health, University of Lausanne and Geneva, Epalinges-Lausanne, Switzerland" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 2778-2034 (Electronic) 2778-2034 (Print) 2778-2034 (Linking) |
| 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 mug/m(3)(range: 185-210 mug/m(3)) vs 33.5 mug/m(3)(range: 22-45 mug/m(3))] and VOC [1.95 mg/m(3)(1.5-2.4 mg/m(3)) vs 0.75 mg/m(3)(0.6-0.9 mg/m(3))] 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" |
| Keywords: | Cross-Sectional Studies Democratic Republic of the Congo/epidemiology Dust/analysis Humans *Lung Diseases/epidemiology *Occupational Exposure/adverse effects *Volatile Organic Compounds Democratic Republic of Congo Exposition Haut Katanga Hernika Lubumbas; |
| Notes: | "MedlineNgombe, L-K Nlandu, R-N Kazadi, S-N Ilunga, B-K Okitotsho, S-W Sakatolo, J-B K Numbi, O-L Danuser, B fre France 2022/05/20 Med Trop Sante Int. 2021 May 18; 1(1):RTHG-RF19. doi: 10.48327/RTHG-RF19. eCollection 2021 Mar 31" |
