Pulmonary Function Assessment of Woodworkers Exposed to Mixed Tropical Hardwood Dust in Kumasi

Background: Several studies have shown that exposed woodworkers present frequent respiratory symptoms and reduced lung volumes and airflow values including FVC, FEV 1 , FEV 1 /FVC and PEFR than controls from the general population. However, other studies have reported no significant negative health effects of wood dust on the respiratory system, no relationship between wood dust and respiratory symptoms, insignificant changes in lung function and normal FEV 1 and FVC values in woodworkers compared to non-exposed controls. The effect of wood dust on the pulmonary function depends on the wood species, phytochemicals present in the wood and the concentration level of ambient air wood dust exposed to the woodworkers. The ambient air dust concentration level at the wood workshops may depend on the humidity and ventilation at the workshops. The workshops at the Sokoban Wood Village are well ventilated. This study aimed at assessing the pulmonary function of woodworkers exposed to mixed tropical hardwood in Kumasi. Method: The study was carried out among woodworkers, teachers and security men located in Kumasi. A cross-sectional, cluster and convenient sampling of 175 adult male workers were selected (86 woodworkers and 89 non-woodworkers) to participate in the study. Pulmonary function assessment was carried out using a modified version of the British Medical Research Council’s (MRC) questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and the spirometer (Alpha Vitalograph) for lung function testing. The relative humidity and the level of wood dust exposure to woodworkers were measured using the personal exposure meter (PATS+: Berkeley Air Monitoring Group). Results: : The mean % relative humidity in the workshop was 67.6 and ambient air wood dust concentration ranged between (0.003 -1.02) mg/m 3 . The frequency of respiratory symptoms at the workplace was prevalent among the woodworkers ranging between (8-76%) (p0.05). Conclusion: The study reveals that woodworkers exposed to mixed tropical hardwood dust shows a less frequent respiratory symptoms with an insignificant reduction in the lung volumes and airflow values at the workplace due to low ambient air wood dust concentration.