Respiratory health of workers exposed to polyacrylate dust

Polyacrylate (PA) powder dust formed in PA manufacturing units is fine sized, i.e., in nanosize. Although several previous studies reported possible significant adverse effects of nanomaterials, studies on the harmful effect of small-sized PA particles on the respiratory health of the workers are scarce. The present study was carried out to assess the effect of PA on respiratory health and lung volumes/rates among the workers of PA manufacturing unit.

The present cross-sectional study included 84 workers of PA manufacturing unit. Using interview technique as a tool for data collection, demographic, occupational, and clinical details of the workers were recorded on the predesigned pro forma. This was followed by detailed clinical examination, spirometry, chest X-ray ( posteroanterior [PA] view), and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) examination of each worker.

On the basis of clinical examination, chest radiography, and HRCT, 17.9% of the workers were found to have fibrotic and cavitary changes in lung parenchyma. The production department workers had a higher proportion of respiratory morbidities as compared to supervisory or office staff. Age, gender, smoking habit, and duration of exposure were nonsignificant risk factors for respiratory morbidity. The overall mean forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1^st s, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), (Maximal Mid Expiratory Flow Rate) MMEFR_0.2-1.2, and MMEFR_25%-75% were 3.19 ± 0.77 L, 2.72 ± 0.67 L, 6.82 ± 1.86 L/s, 5.79 ± 2.03 L/s, and 3.16 ± 1.19 L/s, respectively. Females and those having respiratory morbidity had significantly lower values of all spirometric parameters as compared to their counterparts.

The workers exposed to engineered fine dust of PA may be at risk of respiratory ill-health.