Respiratory health of municipal solid waste workers.
BACKGROUND
There is an increasing evidence that the incidence of work-related pulmonary problems is greater in waste collectors than in the general workforce.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the respiratory health of municipal solid waste workers (MSWWs).


METHODS
One hundred and eighty-four municipal employees of Keratsini (104 MSWWs and 80 controls) participated in a cross-sectional study. All participants were asked to fill in a slightly modified version of the Medical Research Council questionnaire. Lung function was evaluated by spirometry.


RESULTS
Spirometry revealed reduced mean forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (as a percentage of predicted values) in MSWWs compared with controls. After adjustment for smoking status, only the decline in FVC was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Prevalence of all respiratory symptoms was higher in MSWWs than in controls. After adjustment for confounding factors, the difference reached statistical significance (P < 0.05) for morning cough, cough on exertion and sore throat.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this cross-sectional study indicate a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms and a greater decrease in lung function in MSWWs. A number of limitations such as the relatively small size of population and the 'healthy worker' effect should be taken into account.
Athanasiou
M
M
Department of Occupational and Industrial Hygiene, National School of Public Health, 196 Alexandras Avenue, Athens 11521, Greece. mar_athanasiou@yahoo.gr
Makrynos
G
G
Dounias
G
G
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006261:Headache / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012037:Refuse Disposal; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational