title: Pulmonary problems among quarry workers of stone crushing industrial site at Umuoghara, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Respiratory problem is one of the major health hazards in dust-exposed workers; it is a major cause of morbidity and mortality all over the world.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of respiratory problems and lung function impairment among quarry workers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Respiratory problems and lung function were studied in 403 quarry workers aged 10-60 years. Respiratory problems were investigated with a questionnaire based on international models adapted for the study population. Lung function was assessed by spirometry and chest roentgenography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The respiratory problems found were chest pain (47.6%), occasional cough (40.7%), occasional shortness of breath (6.5%) and wheezing (5.2%). The mean±SD FEV1 and FVC values were significantly decreased with length of exposure-respectively, 3.52±0.77 and 3.91±0.72 L for <5 years; 2.79±0.68 and 3.09±0.87 L for 5-10 years; and 2.03±0.92 and 2.86±0.83 L for >10 years of exposure. Moreover, the mean±SD FEV1 and FVC values of smoker (3.37±0.81 and 3.56±1.02 L, respectively) were significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of non-smokers (3.68±1.02 and 3.89±0.99 L, respectively) working in the quarry site.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic exposure to dust due to stone quarrying may increase the risk of respiratory problems and impaired lung function-cigarette smokers are at higher risk.
authors.affiliation: Deptartment of Chemical Pathology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. ugwuja@yahoo.com
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Nwibo
authors.forename: E I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Ugwuja
authors.forename: N O
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Nwambeke
authors.forename: O F
authors.initials: OF
authors.lastname: Emelumadu
authors.forename: L U
authors.initials: LU
authors.lastname: Ogbonnaya
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D019652:Extraction and Processing Industry; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D015995:Prevalence; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011859:Radiography; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004391:Dust