Source: International Congress 2015 – Occupational and environmental cohort investigations and population studies
Disease area: Airway diseases

Abstract

Introduction: Metal workingfluids (MWFs) are used to lubricate, cool working pieces and to minimize corrosion and wash away metal chips, in a wide range of machining processes. Machinist are exposed to MWFs in the form of aerosol and particulate which are smaller than 10µm that can reach the alveoli and the upper and lower respiratory tract. Objective: The objective was to determine the relationship between exposures to MWFs with respiratory health and lung functions among workers. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out among workers exposed to MWFs. Simple random sampling was used to select 154 respondents from a name list given. A set of translated Questionnaire ATS-DLD, was used to obtain background information and respiratory symptoms. MM- SPOO4 Tabletop Portable Spirometer was used to measure the lung function test among workers. The assessment for the individual and environmental exposure was assessed by using personal air sampling pump based on NIOSH Method 5524. Results: The mean for age and years of employment were 36 years and 3 years respectively. There were significant differences between MWFs concentrations in the environment and work sections (p<0.001). The MWFs in environment and individual exposure were significantly correlated (p<0.05). Conclusion: Findings showed that the MWFs exposure was lower than the NIOSH recommended exposure limit. There was no significant association between personal exposure with respiratory symptoms and lung function, however, smoking significantly increased the frequency of respiratory symptoms and impaired the lung functions.


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Zailina Hashim (Serdang, Malaysia), Nur Awatif Ahmad, Zailina Hashim. Occupational exposure to metal working fluids aerosol and the relationship with the respiratory symptoms and lung functions among machinists. Eur Respir J 2015; 46: Suppl. 59, 1175

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