Positive Rates and Factors Associated with Abnormal Lung Function of Greenhouse Workers in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Since the number of greenhouse workers are increasing in China, this observational cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate lung function and discuss the potential risk factors, to provide evidence in the surveillance of greenhouse workers’ health. 678 greenhouse workers in Gansu Province, China were enrolled. A questionnaire which included demographic and occupational information was used. Vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and FEV1:FVC ratios (FEV1/FVC), maximal expiratory flow after 50% of the FVC has not been exhaled (MEF50), maximal expiratory flow after 25% of the FVC has not been exhaled (MEF25) and maximal mid-expiratory flow curve (MMEF) were measured as lung function indicators. The mean values and standard deviations (SDs) of VC% predicted, FVC% predicted, FEV1% predicted and FEV1/FVC ratio were 106.07 ± 13.36, 107.60 ± 13.95, 97.19 ± 14.80 and 89.76 ± 10.78 respectively. The positive rates of above four and abnormal lung ventilation function were 2.9%, 2.8%, 11.2%, 4.6% and 6.5% respectively. Gender, age, BMI and number of greenhouses owned were influence factors of lung ventilation function (p < 0.05). The mean values and SDs of MEF50% predicted, MEF25% predicted and MMEF% predicted were 69.63 ± 24.95, 54.04 ± 24.94 and 66.81 ± 24.53. The positive rates of above three and abnormal small airway function were 45.0%, 72.1%, 47.2% and 49.4% respectively. Age, education and number of greenhouses owned were influence factors for small airway function (p < 0.05). Working in a greenhouse might influence lung function of the workers. Small airway function indicators could be used as priority indicators for the surveillance of greenhouse workers’ health.

Adverse Effect of Aerosol Pesticide on Lung Dysfunction amongPaddy Farmers in Purworejo, Central Java, Indonesia

“…This study showed that most male farmers were smokers, which confirmed that cigarette was a direct factor of lung dysfunction. 11 Poor use of PPE among farmers was reported in a previous study. The farmers reported feeling uncomfortable in using PPE during handling and spraying pesticide in hot weather.…”

“…Occupational lung dysfunction is characterized by chronic cough, sputum, shortness of breath, shortness of breath, chest tightness, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and COPD. 7,11 Furthermore, Indonesia lacks a medical check-up program for farmers to determine the occupational exposure effect of pesticide on lung function.…”

Lung Function Decline and Other Physiological Changes in Health Workers after Working in COVID-19 Isolation Wards: An Observational Study

“…[16] Spirometry test is widely applied in evaluating patients' respiratory function. FVC, FEV 1 , and FEV 1 /FVC are indicators of obstructive ventilation disorder, [17] usually seen decreased among patients with COPD and bronchial asthma. PEF re ects the function of respiratory muscle and airway resistance while FEF 25-75 acts as an indicator of small airway function.…”

Metal Exposure-Related Welder’s Pneumoconiosis and Lung Function: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Container Factory of China

“…The spirometer we used to measure lung function was a MasterScreen portable spirometer (Jaeger, Hoechberg, Germany) with a laminar pressure differential flow sensor. The system has a built-in estimated value system, providing a reference standard for lung function of the Chinese population [ 20 ]. The specific standard procedures and methods for spirometry can be seen in Supplemental Materials .…”