Ventilatory function in Nigerian asbestos factory workers.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Pulmonary Medicine
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Asbestos exposure is a known risk factor for various lung diseases.
• Understanding the specific impact on ventilatory function in occupational settings is crucial for public health.
• Nigerian asbestos factory workers represent a population at risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effect of asbestos fiber exposure on lung function in Nigerian male factory workers.
• To compare lung function parameters between exposed workers and a non-exposed control group.
• To correlate lung function changes with the duration of asbestos exposure.

Main Methods:

• Measurement of ventilatory function indices: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1%, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR).
• Comparison of mean values between 95 male asbestos factory workers (aged 25-55) and an age/sex-matched control group.
• Statistical analysis including correlation with duration of service and comparison with expected values for healthy Nigerians.

Main Results:

• Asbestos factory workers exhibited significantly lower mean values for FVC, FEV1, and PEFR compared to the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.001 respectively).
• A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between FEV1 and duration of service in asbestos-exposed workers (P<0.05).
• Reduced FVC and FEV1 with normal FEV1% indicated a restrictive lung defect.

Conclusions:

• Asbestos fiber exposure in Nigerian factory workers leads to significant impairment of lung function.
• The observed restrictive lung defect is likely attributable to occupational asbestos exposure.
• Enhanced health monitoring and control measures are recommended for workers in asbestos factories.