Work Related Respiratory Complications among the Worker of Qassim Cement Industry of Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia
Author(s): Mohammad Shakil Ahmad, Waqas Sami* and Motaib Eid Alharbi
Abstract
Introduction: Worldwide community is facing increasing risks of respiratory diseases due to production of smoke and dust in different occupational and industrial sectors. According to a recent report by the Ministry of Health here in Saudi Arabia top priority and initiation has been taken for Environmental and Occupational Health General Department, as a principal body that is responsible to oversee all the environmental, occupational measures and procedures in terms of health facilities, their work environment, and their safety. Implementing such a strategy and supervising it is devolved to the Presidency of Metrology and Environment (PME). The main role of the Environmental and Occupational Health General Department is to highlighting programs related to occupational health and safety, air quality, nutritional and chemical safety, drinking water quality, sewage and its recycling, solid waste, dangerous medical waste, safe use for chemicals, radiological contamination, and noise pollution.
Methods: Sputum samples were collected and H-E staining was performed. Even though the company claims to have invested significantly throughout the years in controlling all pollution sources. They claim to be a living example where the dust emission reduced to less than 30 mg/m3.
Results: In our study we found that various types of respiratory complications such as 5 (10%) participants showed productive cough, 7(14%) were having complication of asthma, 7 (14%) were having lungs infection. Moreover, 1 (2%) participants showed allergy and 11 (22%) was other complication including hypertension, diabetes and back pain. Workers also showed severe inflammation and it was around 70% of the all subjects.
Conclusion: In our finding it was concluded that cement particle on continuous exposure or inhalation may lead to respiratory complications, the cement particle accumulates in the lung and causes epithelial damage and finally leading to an alter of the epithelial layer along with inflammation.