The assessment of respiratory symptoms among palm oil mill workers using lung function test

Mohamad Jamil, Putri Anis Syahira (2013) The assessment of respiratory symptoms among palm oil mill workers using lung function test. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

Text Ip FPSK4 2013 34.pdf Download (21MB)

Abstract

Background: Palm oil mill involves processes such as preparation, oil extraction, purification and kernel extraction which are one of the sources of organic dust in the working environment. However, no study has been conducted to determine the Ievel of dust exposed among the workers. Therefore, the objective of this study is to assess the respiratory symptoms and lung function among the workers of various work station. Methods: The workers participated in this study were selected from three palm oil mills. The workers (n=111) were interviewed using self-constructed questionnaire and lung function test by using an electronic spirometer. Results: The sterilization have the highest number of workers with restrictive patterns of lung function status (62.5%). whereas workers in press work sections had the least (22.2%). In the work station of loading ramp and sterilization, coughing and shortness of breath is recorded as the highest (50%) respiratory symptoms. Workers with high exposure to dust are majorly at the boiler room (35.7%). The relationship between exposure to dust and ratio Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1)/Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) variables were found statistically significant (p-value = 0.37). There are significant relationship between exposure to dust and respiratory symptoms (Coughing at night p-value =0.014, Wheezing sometimes during cold; p-value=0.021). Also, there is a statistically difference in the mean of ratio FEV1/FVC between the different work station (F=5.973, p-value = 0.16). The difference between mean of exposure to dust and different groups of work station is statistically significant (F= 4.267, p-value=0.00). Conclusions: Majority of workers in sterilization has abnormalities in lung function status. Workers had high respiratory symptoms in sterilization and loading ramp work station. High exposures to dust are detected at boiler room compared to other stations. The exposure to dust is identified as a health hazards among the workers. The outcomes also indicated that there is differences between studied variables and work station; Lung function (boiler room and sterilization work station) and Dust (boiler room and kernel plant). Keywords: Spirometer, Lung function, Pulmonary function test, Palm oil mill, Respiratory disease

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
Depositing User:	Mr Muhamad Fazril Awang
Date Deposited:	22 Nov 2022 06:37
Last Modified:	22 Nov 2022 06:37
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/212

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