title: The impact of reduced dust exposure on respiratory health among cement workers: an ecological study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare total dust exposure, prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms, lung function, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among Tanzanian cement workers before (2002) and after (2010-2011) establishment of dust-control measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Personal total dust-exposure measurements, questionnaire assessment for chronic respiratory symptoms, and spirometry were conducted in both examination periods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total dust exposure was lower in 2010-2011 than in 2002. The prevalence of most chronic respiratory symptoms and COPD was lower in 2010 than in 2002. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), percentage predicted FEV1, and percentage predicted forced vital capacity were higher among cement workers in 2010 than in 2002.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was reduced total dust exposure level, lower prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and COPD, and higher lung function among cement workers in 2010 than in 2002.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care (Drs Tungu, Bråtveit, and Moen), Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health (Dr Mamuya), School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and Department of Occupational Medicine (Dr Moen), Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Alexander Mtemi
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tungu
authors.forename: Magne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bråtveit
authors.forename: Simon H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Mamuya
authors.forename: Bente E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Moen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D029481:Bronchitis, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003252:Construction Materials; D003371:Cough / Q000453:epidemiology; D004391:Dust / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013147:Spirometry; D013183:Sputum; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013636:Tanzania; D014797:Vital Capacity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004391:Dust