Metal dust exposure and lung function deterioration among steel workers: an exposure-response relationship
Background: Metallic dust is a heterogeneous substance with respiratory sensitizing properties. Its long term exposure adversely affected lung function, thus may cause acute or chronic respiratory diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a steel factory in Terengganu, Malaysia to...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis
2016
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/54796/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/54796/1/Metal%20dust%20exposure%20and%20lung%20function%20deterioration%20among%20steel%20workers.pdf |
| _version_ | 1848852631613603840 |
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| author | Hamzah, Nurul Ainun Mohd Tamrin, Shamsul Bahri Ismail, Noor Hassim |
| author_facet | Hamzah, Nurul Ainun Mohd Tamrin, Shamsul Bahri Ismail, Noor Hassim |
| author_sort | Hamzah, Nurul Ainun |
| building | UPM Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Background: Metallic dust is a heterogeneous substance with respiratory sensitizing properties. Its long term exposure adversely affected lung function, thus may cause acute or chronic respiratory diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a steel factory in Terengganu, Malaysia to assess the metal dust exposure and its relationship to lung function values among 184 workers. Metal dust concentrations values (Co, Cr, and Ni) for each worker were collected using air personal sampling. Lung function values (FEV1, FVC, and %FEV1/FVC) were determined using spirometer. Results: Exposure to cobalt and chromium were 1–3 times higher than permissible exposure limit (PEL) while nickel was not exceeding the PEL. Cumulative of chromium was the predictor to all lung function values (FEV1, FVC, and %FEV1/FVC). Frequency of using mask was positively associated with FVC (Adj b = 0.263, P = 0.011) while past respiratory illnesses were negatively associated with %FEV1/FVC (Adj b = –1.452, P = 0.026). Only few workers (36.4%) were found to wear their masks all times during the working hours. Conclusions: There was an exposure-response relationship of cumulative metal dust exposure with the deterioration of lung function values. Improvement of control measures as well as proper and efficient use or personal protection equipment while at work could help to protect the respiratory health of workers. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T10:41:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | upm-54796 |
| institution | Universiti Putra Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T10:41:09Z |
| publishDate | 2016 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | upm-547962018-04-24T07:02:12Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/54796/ Metal dust exposure and lung function deterioration among steel workers: an exposure-response relationship Hamzah, Nurul Ainun Mohd Tamrin, Shamsul Bahri Ismail, Noor Hassim Background: Metallic dust is a heterogeneous substance with respiratory sensitizing properties. Its long term exposure adversely affected lung function, thus may cause acute or chronic respiratory diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a steel factory in Terengganu, Malaysia to assess the metal dust exposure and its relationship to lung function values among 184 workers. Metal dust concentrations values (Co, Cr, and Ni) for each worker were collected using air personal sampling. Lung function values (FEV1, FVC, and %FEV1/FVC) were determined using spirometer. Results: Exposure to cobalt and chromium were 1–3 times higher than permissible exposure limit (PEL) while nickel was not exceeding the PEL. Cumulative of chromium was the predictor to all lung function values (FEV1, FVC, and %FEV1/FVC). Frequency of using mask was positively associated with FVC (Adj b = 0.263, P = 0.011) while past respiratory illnesses were negatively associated with %FEV1/FVC (Adj b = –1.452, P = 0.026). Only few workers (36.4%) were found to wear their masks all times during the working hours. Conclusions: There was an exposure-response relationship of cumulative metal dust exposure with the deterioration of lung function values. Improvement of control measures as well as proper and efficient use or personal protection equipment while at work could help to protect the respiratory health of workers. Taylor & Francis 2016 Article PeerReviewed text en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/54796/1/Metal%20dust%20exposure%20and%20lung%20function%20deterioration%20among%20steel%20workers.pdf Hamzah, Nurul Ainun and Mohd Tamrin, Shamsul Bahri and Ismail, Noor Hassim (2016) Metal dust exposure and lung function deterioration among steel workers: an exposure-response relationship. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, 22 (3). pp. 224-232. ISSN 1077-3525; ESSN: 2049-3967 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10773525.2016.1207040 10.1080/10773525.2016.1207040 |
| spellingShingle | Hamzah, Nurul Ainun Mohd Tamrin, Shamsul Bahri Ismail, Noor Hassim Metal dust exposure and lung function deterioration among steel workers: an exposure-response relationship |
| title | Metal dust exposure and lung function deterioration among steel workers: an exposure-response relationship |
| title_full | Metal dust exposure and lung function deterioration among steel workers: an exposure-response relationship |
| title_fullStr | Metal dust exposure and lung function deterioration among steel workers: an exposure-response relationship |
| title_full_unstemmed | Metal dust exposure and lung function deterioration among steel workers: an exposure-response relationship |
| title_short | Metal dust exposure and lung function deterioration among steel workers: an exposure-response relationship |
| title_sort | metal dust exposure and lung function deterioration among steel workers: an exposure-response relationship |
| url | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/54796/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/54796/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/54796/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/54796/1/Metal%20dust%20exposure%20and%20lung%20function%20deterioration%20among%20steel%20workers.pdf |