Respiratory health effects associated with restoration work in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans.
BACKGROUND
This study examines prevalence of respiratory conditions in New Orleans-area restoration workers after Hurricane Katrina.


METHODS
Between 2007 and 2010, spirometry and respiratory health and occupational questionnaire were administered to 791 New Orleans-area adults who mostly worked in the building construction and maintenance trades or custodial services. The associations between restoration work hours and lung function and prevalence of respiratory symptoms were examined by multiple linear regression, χ², or multiple logistic regression.


RESULTS
74% of participants performed post-Katrina restoration work (median time: 620 hours). Symptoms reported include episodes of transient fever/cough (29%), sinus symptoms (48%), pneumonia (3.7%), and new onset asthma (4.5%). Prevalence rate ratios for post-Katrina sinus symptoms (PRR = 1.3; CI: 1.1, 1.7) and fever and cough (PRR = 1.7; CI: 1.3, 2.4) were significantly elevated overall for those who did restoration work and prevalence increased with restoration work hours. Prevalence rate ratios with restoration work were also elevated for new onset asthma (PRR = 2.2; CI: 0.8, 6.2) and pneumonia (PRR = 1.3; CI: 0.5, 3.2) but were not statistically significant. Overall, lung function was slightly depressed but was not significantly different between those with and without restoration work exposure.


CONCLUSIONS
Post-Katrina restoration work is associated with moderate adverse effects on respiratory health, including sinusitis and toxic pneumonitis.
Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2100, New Orleans, LA 70112-2704, USA.
Roy J
RJ
Rando
John J
JJ
Lefante
Laurie M
LM
Freyder
Robert N
RN
Jones
D000328:Adult; D060389:Construction Industry; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D004190:Disasters; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008283:Maintenance; D008297:Male; D055820:New Orleans / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology