Objective:
To determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and illustrate the
dangerousness of the sands dust in the Artisanal carriers in the city of
Lubumbashi, Katanga province, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Method:
In total, 120 carriers of sand have been recruited in an exhaustive approach
with 120 communal administrative officers of Lubumbashi city as control group.
Respiratory symptoms were collected using a respiratory questionnaire. A multi-analysis varied with the test of logistic regression has been privileged
to determine the association between the characteristics of the carriers and
the respiratory symptoms. Results: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms
reported in carriers of sands was greater than that of the control group for
the symptoms such as: cough in the morning (52.5% against 6.7%), sputum in the
morning (35% against 7.5%), shortness of breath after effort (18.3% against
5%), asthma (26.7% against 5%), chronic bronchitis (12.5% against 4.2%),
rhinitis (62.5% against 21.7%), conjunctivitis (58.3% against 17.5%). After
adjustment, on factors such as age and education, the profession carrier of
sands was strongly associated with the risk of developing respiratory symptoms
below: spit in the morning, shortness of breath after effort, asthma, chronic
bronchitis with a p < 0.001. The Peak
Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) has been significantly reduced in the Carriers of
sands (438.87 ± 109.02) compared to controls (480.14 ± 70.73) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The profession carriers of sand as practiced in
Lubumbashi, without means of adequate protection, carry a
clear risk for respiratory health. It is essential to organize a specialized
education in medicine of the work which can train doctors with proven expertise
to address the enormous need for qualified personnel in this environment
considered at risk of breathing.
Cite this paper
Ngombe, L. K. , Ngatu, N. R. , Christophe, N. M. , Ilunga, B. K. , Okitotsho, S. W. , Sakatolo, J. K. , Numbi, O. L. and Danuser, B. (2016). Respiratory Problems of Sands Carriers in the City of Lubumbashi/Rd Congo. Open Access Library Journal, 3, e3172. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1103172.
Fatusi, A.
and
Erbabor, G.
(1996) Occupational
Health Status of Sawmill Workers in Nigeria. Journal of the Royal Society of Health, 116, 232-236. https:/doi.org/10.1177/146642409611600408
Olusegun, O., Adeniyi, A. and Adeola, G.T. (2009) Impact
of Granite Quarrying on the Health of Workers and Nearby Residents in Abeokuta
Ogun State, Nigeria. Ethiopian Journal of
Environmental Studies and Management (EJESM), 2, 21-26. https:/doi.org/10.4314/ejesm.v2i1.43497
Jansen, M., Qian, J., Wojciechowska-Shibuya, M., et al. (Eds.)
(2002)
Environmental Threats to Children. In: Children
in the New Millennium Environmental Impact on Health,
United Nations Environmental Program, Children’s Fund and World Health Organization, 43-86.
Zanobetti, A. and Schwartz, J.
(2001) Are
Diabetics More Susceptible to the Health Effects of Air Terminal Particles? American Journal of Respiratory and Critical
Care Medicine, 164,
831-833. https:/doi.org/10.1164/ajrccm.164.5.2012039
Pope, C.A.III, Burnet, R.T., Thun, M.J., et al. (2002) Lung
Cancer, Cardiopulmonary Mortality, and Long Term Exposure to Fine Particulate
Air Pollution. JAMA, 287, 1132-1141.
Epton, M.J.,
Drawson, R.,
Brooks, W.M., et al. (2008) The
Effect of Ambient Air Pollution on Respiratory Health of School Children: A Panel
Study. About Health, 7, 16.
Urom, S.E.,
Antai, A.B.
and Osim, E.E. (2004) Symptoms
and Lung Function Values in Nigerian Men and Women Exposed to Dust Generated from
Crushing of Granite Rocks in Calabar, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Physiological Science, 19, 41-47.
Burney, P.G., Laitinen, P.S., Huckauf, H.,
Tattersfield, A.E.,
Chinn, S., et al. (1989) Validity and
Repeatability of the IUATLD (1984) Bronchial Symptoms Questionnaire: International
Year Comparison. European
Respiratory Journal, 2, 940-945.
Annesi-Maesano, I.,
Didier Was, K.M.,
Chanal, I.,
Moreau, D.
and
Bousquet, J.
(2002) The Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR): A Simple and Valid Assessment
Method in Population Studies. Allergy,
57, 107-114. https:/doi.org/10.1034/j.1398-9995.2002.1o3170.x
Aliyu, A.A. and Shehu, A.
(2006)
Occupational Hazards and Safety Measures among Stone Quarry Workers in northern
Nigerian. Nigerian Medical Practitioner, 50, 42-47.
Yadav, S.P.,
Anand, P.K.
and
Singh, H.
(2011) Awareness and Practices about Silicosis among the Sandstone Quarry
Workers in Desert Ecology of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. Journal of Human Ecology, 33, 191-196.
Hentschel, T.,
Hruschka, F.
and
Priester, M. (2002) Global
Report on Artisanal and Small Scale Mining. Mining, Minerals and Sustainable
Development Project, Working
Paper 70, 3.
Mashaallah, H.,
Mohammad, R.Z.
and
Ali, A.F. (2006)
Prevalence of Silicosis among Workers in Stone-Cutter and Silica Powder
Production Factories. Tanaffos, 5, 31-36.
Lemele, H.,
Araujo, A.J., et al. (1994) Respiratory Symptoms and Spirometric Tests of Quarry Workers in Rio
de Janeiro. Revista da Associacao Médica
Brasileira, 40, 23-35.
Nwibo, A.,
Ugwuj, E.I.,
Nwambeke, N.,
Emelumadu, O.F.
and
Ogbonnaya, L.U. (2012) Pulmonary
Problems among Quarry Workers of Stone Crushing Industrial Site at Umuoghara, Ebonyi
State, Nigeria. International Journal of Occupational and Environmental
Medicine, 3, 178-185.
Abdel-Rasoul, G.M.,
Mahrous, O.A.E.,
Abu Salem, M.,
Al-Batanony, M.A.
and
Llam, H.K. (2009) Auditory
and Respiratory Health in an Iron and Steel Factory. Zagazig Journal of Occupational Health and Safety, 2, 1-10. https:/doi.org/10.2486/josh.2.1
Singh, P.L., Bhardwaj, H. and
Deepak, K.K. (2013)
Occupational Exposure to Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter and Lung
Functions Deteriorationamong Steel Workers: An Exploratory Study in India. ISRN Public Health, 2013, Article
ID:
325410. https:/doi.org/10.1155/2013/325410
Hamzah, N.A., Mohd Tamrin, S.B. and
Ismail, N.H. (2013)
Metal Dust Exposure and Respiratory Symptoms among Steel Workers: A
Dose-Response Relationship. International
Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine & Public Health,
7, 24-39.
Singh, P.L.,
Bhardwaj, H.
and
Deepak, K.K. (2011)
Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (MPUB) and Respiratory Symptoms among
Casting Industry Workers: An Exploratory Study in Northern India. International Journal of Advanced Engineering
Technology, 2, 251-259.
Pozzoli, T.,
Massola, H.,
Magni, C.,
Angelini, E.
and
Capodaglio, E.
(1979) Dusting and Risky of Silicosis in the Cement Industry. Medicina del Lavoro, 70, 195-202.
Bonny, J.S.,
Pigearias, B.,
Lonsdorfer, J., Cantineau, H.
and Curtes, J.P.
(1988) Respiratory Diseases and Ventilatory Function among Workers of a
Cement Plant in Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire). Arch evil Prof, 49, 455-460.
Ulm, K.,
Gerein, P.,
Eigenthaler, I.,
Schmidt, S.
and
Ehnes, H.
(2004) Silica, Silicosis and Lung-Cancer: Results from a Cohort Study in the
Stone and Quarry Industry. International
Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 77, 313-318. https:/doi.org/10.1007/s00420-004-0513-6
Ulm, K., Waschulzik, B., Ehnes, H.,
Guldner, K.,
Thomasson, B.,
Schwebig, A., et al. (1999) Silica Dust and Lung
Cancer in the German Stone, Quarrying, and Ceramics Industries: Results of
Acase-Control Study. Thorax, 54, 347-351. https:/doi.org/10.1136/thx.54.4.347