Respiratory symptoms and dust exposure among dangote cement processing factory workers in Mtwara, Tanzania

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Cement manufacturing is among the growing industry in Tanzania. It involves processes from blending, kiln burning, clinker, grinding and cement final production. All of these cement manufacturing processes generates cement dust which contain silica and other toxic materials where can potentially affect respiratory function of exposed workers. Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess respiratory symptoms and dust exposure among Dangote cement processing factory workers in Mtwara, Tanzania. Methodology: A cross sectional comparative study design was conducted at Dangote cement processing factory and Ndanda springs natural mineral water processing factory serving as a non exposed site, all of these factories are located in Mtwara region in Tanzania. A total of 398 workers were selected randomly from these two factories and interviewed using structured questionnaires on respiratory symptoms modified from British Medical Research Council questionnaire. Checklist for assessing workplace environment and workers' practices were also used for determinants dust exposure. Personal total dust samples were collected using Side Kick Casella (SKC) pumps. Lung function tests were performed by using a portable spirometer and lung function parameters such as FEV1, FVC and FVC/FEV1 were used to interpret the results. Results: The Prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher among workers in cement processing factory (45.6%) than in mineral water processing factory (34%), this was statistically significant. Workers in cement processing factory were exposed to higher levels of total dust with AM 14.1033 mg/m3 (SD 4.357) than in mineral water processing factory AM 0.0867 mg/m3 (SD 0.035). Conclusion and recommendation: Exposure to cement dust in a working environment causes the increase in work related respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function. This study recommends the use of control measures to decrease dust exposure level among cement workers, also periodic medical examination should be conducted to assess workers health.