In SSI in Tanzania, our study suggests that workers have high levels of exposure to multiple health hazards and that use of protective equipment is poor. This group of workers warrants improved occupational health and safety provision.

Workers in small-scale wood industries (SSWI) have increased risks of developing asthma and other respiratory diseases. Wood dust and microbial agents have both been suggested to play a role, but few studies have measured endotoxin exposure in SSWI in Africa. We assessed inhalable dust levels in 281 samples from 115 workers and bacterial endotoxins levels in 157 samples from 136 workers from SSWI in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The overall geometric mean of personal exposure was 3.3 mg/m 3 ; geometric standard deviation (GSD) 2.5; range 0.45-67.0 mg/m 3 ) and 91 EU/m 3 (GSD 3.7; range 9-4914.8 EU/m 3 ) for wood dust and endotoxins, respectively. Dust and endotoxin levels were weakly correlated (r ¼ 0.44, n ¼ 157, Po0.0001). Betweenand within-worker variances and percentages explained by the differences among job titles and seasons were 0.31 (9%) and 0.35 (30%), respectively, for wood dust exposure, and 0.35 (0%) and 0.35 (38%) for endotoxin exposure. Higher dust and endotoxin exposure levels were observed in the dry compared to the wet season, after correcting for differences in exposure between jobs. Carving and manual cleaning were associated with the highest dust exposures. Sewing seat covers and manual cleaning were associated with the highest endotoxin exposures. Dust and endotoxin exposure levels in SSWI are high and appropriate control measures are necessary.

Few studies have assessed respiratory symptoms and dust exposure levels in small-scale wood industry (SSWI) workers in Africa We interviewed 546 workers exposed to wood dust and 565 control subjects using a respiratory health questionnaire Inhalable dust measurements were collected for 106 workers The dust exposure was high, and job title-based geometric mean exposure levels ranged from 2 9-22 8 mg/m 3 Prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the previous 12 months was significantly higher in the exposed group compared to the nonexposed office workers Allergy and sensitivity symptoms were reported regularly in the exposed group with Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) varying from 2 4 (95% CI = 1 8-3 1) for low-to 2 7 (1 8- 4 0) for high-exposure groups compared with controls We conclude that working m the small-scale wood industry in Tanzania is associated with an increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms