Evaluation and Monitoring of the Impact of Process Unit Dust Particles on the Health of Employees in the Kermanshah Cement Industry

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Faculty Member/College of Engineering, University of Tehran

2 College of Environment, Department od Environment, Tehran

3 College of Environment, Department of Environemnt, Tehran

4 Research Group of Environmental Engineering and Pollution Monitoring, Research Center for Environment and Sustainable Development, (RCESD), Department of Environment, Tehran, Iran

5 School of Mining Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran

Abstract

Introduction: Therefore, one of the foundations of the country's industry is the cement factories, and considering that one of the important challenges in this industry is the effects of exposure to dust on the respiratory system. Considering the importance of workforce health in sustainable development, this research was designed and implemented with the aim of investigating the effects of contact with cement and silica dust on the respiratory system of people working in Kermanshah cement factory.
Material and methods: This study was performed as a retrospective cohort, and the lung index of 138 employees in three groups exposed to silica and cement and the control group (not exposed) was monitored. Also, the amount of cement and silica dust in the units was evaluated by direct reading. After clinical examination and completion of the questionnaire, the data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22.
Results and discussion: The results showed no significant difference between the exposure group with silica and cement with the control group regarding the parameters of weight, BMI, gender, years of exposure, and smoking history. The statistical analysis results showed a statistically significant difference between the groups exposed to silica and cement with the control group regarding FVC%, FEV1%, and PEF% indices (P <0.01). Regarding FEV1 / FVC% index, no statistically significant difference was shown between the three groups (P = 0.409). Comparison of pulmonary indices in the group exposed to silica and cement and the control group showed that all pulmonary indices in the group exposed to silica and cement decreased compared to the control group. No significant relationship was found between silica and cement concentration and the history of exposure to silica and cement with pulmonary indices. Therefore, workers in the cement sector exposed to cement dust are at risk of developing pulmonary symptoms and decreased spirometry parameters.
Conclusion: The results of this study, by investigating the relationship between pulmonary indices and the history of exposure, concentration and individual factors, reveal the truth of this matter, that due to the importance of the cement production process and the high volume of dust that is emitted from it, studies aimed at investigating the health effects of dust And the soil on the labor force is a vital matter, and providing solutions that, while being economical, have the ability to be implemented in a short time and are according to the needs and characteristics of the region, should be on the agenda.
Results and discussion: The results showed no significant difference between the exposure group with silica and cement with the control group regarding the parameters of weight, BMI, gender, years of exposure, and smoking history. The statistical analysis results showed a statistically significant difference between the groups exposed to silica and cement with the control group regarding FVC%, FEV1%, and PEF% indices (P <0.01). Regarding FEV1 / FVC% index, no statistically significant difference was shown between the three groups (P = 0.409). Comparison of pulmonary indices in the group exposed to silica and cement and the control group showed that all pulmonary indices in the group exposed to silica and cement decreased compared to the control group. No significant relationship was found between silica and cement concentration and the history of exposure to silica and cement with pulmonary indices. Therefore, workers in the cement sector exposed to cement dust are at risk of developing pulmonary symptoms and decreased spirometry parameters.

Keywords

References

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Advanced Environmental Sciences
Volume 23, Issue 3
2025
Pages 563-582

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