Professional paper

Respiratory function in sanitation workers

Jadranka Mustajbegović ; Škola narodnog zdravlja »Andrija Štampar« Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Eugenija Žuškin ; Škola narodnog zdravlja »Andrija Štampar« Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Josipa Kern ; Škola narodnog zdravlja »Andrija Štampar« Medicinskog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb
B. Kos ; Dom zdravlja Pešćenica, Zagreb, Hrvatska

Abstract

The prevalence of chronic impairment of the respiratory system and ventilatory capacity was studied in 81 sanitation workers. In addition, tie prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was studied in 65 non-exposed control workers. Among the sanitation workers the prevalence of most of the chronic respiratory symptoms was statistically higher than among the controls. The sanitation workers - smokers had a significantly higher prevalence of chronic cough, chronic phlegm and chest tightness than the non-smoking sanitation workers (P<0.05). The sanitation smokers exposed for more than 10 years had significantly higher prevalences of nasal catarrh (P<0.01) and sinusitis (P<0.05) than those with a shorter exposure. FVC and FEV1 were significantly reduced in sanitation workers exposed for more than 10 years in relation to predicted normal values. These differences were not significant for FEF50 and FEF25. Our results suggest that sanitation workers may develop chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function changes, in the first place those of FVC and FEV1.

Keywords

occupational exposure; respiratory symptoms; ventilatory capacity

Hrčak ID:

145949

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/145949

Publication date:

28.4.1995.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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