Passive Smoking, Pulmonary Function and Bronchial Hyper-responsiveness among Indoor Sanitary Workers

Abstract

Pulmonary function parameters of 21 cleaning/sanitary women workers who have never smoked, exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) at work were compared with 34 non-exposed women workers of comparable age and other work characteristics. The studied subjects were subjected to an interview questionnaire, pulmonary function measurements, bronchial responsiveness assessment and clinical chest examination. A higher prevalence of dyspnea was found (42.9%) among exposed compared to (14.7%) among the non-exposed workers (p=0.019), also wheezing (52.4% vs. 11.8%; p=0.001). Pulmonary measurements showed a lower FVC, FEV 1 /FVC and FEF 75 values among exposed compared to non-exposed (p<0.05), and a higher prevalence of borderline bronchial hyper-responsiveness (38.1% vs. 11.8%; p=0.021) in the exposed workers. This study provides evidence of adverse respiratory effects in sanitary/cleaning women workers associated with passive smoking in the workplace. The findings support a stricter implementation measures to protect respiratory health of all workers.

Occupational health outcomes among sanitation workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Most the studies reported sanitation workers to be at elevated risk of respiratory infections or other adverse conditions. Fahim et al reported on BHR and found a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of dyspnea and clinical chest findings for sanitary/cleaning women workers associated with passive smoking in the workplace ( Fahim and El-Prince, 2012 ). Chandra et al examined chronic morbidity profiles for illnesses among sewage workers in India; these illnesses included pulmonary tuberculosis, COPD, bronchial asthma, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and congestive heart failure ( Chandra and Arora, 2019 ).…”

Global systematic review of occupational health and safety outcomes among sanitation and hygiene workers

“…Three studies conducted on solid waste collectors showed coughing, wheezing, phlegm, chest illness and breath problems ( 43 ), chronic bronchitis ( 44 ), and breathlessness, phlegm, coughing, and wheezing ( 45 ). From 27 studies, only one study conducted on general sanitary workers showed that they developed bronchial hyper responsiveness ( 46 ). As evidenced above, sanitary workers working as street sweepers, sewage workers, or municipal waste collectors have the possibility of developing respiratory problems if occupational safety materials aren’t well practiced.…”

“…Three studies conducted on solid waste collectors showed coughing, wheezing, phlegm, chest illness and breath problems (43), chronic bronchitis (44), and breathlessness, phlegm, coughing, and wheezing (45). From 27 studies, only one study conducted on general sanitary workers showed that they developed bronchial hyper responsiveness (46). Categories of sanitary workers exposed to OHS problems reviewed 2000-2022.…”

Occupational Diseases among Sanitary Workers in Worldwide: Systematic Review

“…Most the studies reported sanitation workers to be at elevated risk of respiratory infections or other adverse conditions. Fahim et al reported on BHR and found a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of dyspnea and clinical chest findings for sanitary/cleaning women workers associated with passive smoking in the workplace (Fahim and El-Prince, 2012).…”