title: Respiratory symptoms and patterns of pulmonary dysfunction among roofing fiber cement workers in the south of Thailand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the associations between respiratory symptoms and patterns of pulmonary dysfunction of 115 male roofing cement workers compared with 134 unexposed subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted. Environmental samplings and spirometry measurements were also collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The exposed workers had higher respiratory dust exposure levels (0.65 mg/m3) compared with the unexposed groups (0.32 mg/m3). The exposed group had significantly higher prevalence than the unexposed group for shortness of breath (OR=2.19). The exposed group also had higher but insignificant prevalence of chronic cough (OR=1.34), chest tightness (OR=1.64), and wheezing (OR=1.89). The ventilatory respiratory function values (FEV1 and FVC) were slightly lower for the exposed group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An association between higher cement dust levels and a decline in ventilatory function among roofing fiber cement workers suggests that the respiratory health of roofing cement workers should be protected through policies or work standards.
authors.affiliation: College of Public Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.
authors.forename: Phayong
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thepaksorn
authors.forename: Sathirakorn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pongpanich
authors.forename: Wattasit
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Siriwong
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: Surasak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taneepanichskul
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust