Respiratory illnesses and ventilatory function among gem cutters in Sri Lanka.

Autor:	Prathapan S; Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. drpbshamini@yahoo.com, Hettiarachchi P, Wimalasekara SW
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	The Ceylon medical journal [Ceylon Med J] 2013 Mar; Vol. 58 (1), pp. 29-31.
DOI:	10.4038/cmj.v58i1.5361
Abstrakt:	Introduction: This study explores the proportion of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory functions among gem cutters in the city of gems, in Sri Lanka. Methods: All gem cutters in the Ratnapura Medical Officers of Health area were included and the control group was selected from the government officers residing in the same area. The gem cutters and the controls were matched according to their age and sex. Pulmonary function was measured with a spirometer and peak flow meter. Results: A significantly higher percentage of the exposed workers reported recurrent and prolonged cough (35%) and chest tightening (10%). FEV1 and FEV1/FVC was significantly lower in the exposed workers compared with unexposed workers. The results remained the same for the FEV1/FVC ratio (p=0.004) after adjusting for age and body mass index. Conclusions: Adverse respiratory health effects observed among gem cutters were probably caused by exposure to gem dust.
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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