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KDU IRC 2021
45
General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University – 14th International Research Conference
ID 500
Health Status and Safety Practices of Workers of Asbestos
Sheet Manufacturing Factories in Sri Lanka
KAC Wickramaratne1, S Gunawardena2#, DC Wijewickrama2, A Karunanayake2
and WMCD Wijekoon3
1 Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna
2 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna
3 Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna
# sampathgu@yahoo.com
Exposure to asbestos causes health hazards including asbestosis, mesothelioma
and lung cancer. Asbestos industry workers are at a higher risk of exposure.
Objective of this research is to assess the health status and the safety practices
of asbestos industry workers. Four hundred seventy-five workers from three
asbestos sheet manufacturing factories were recruited into the study. One
hundred sixty-two subjects who were not exposed to asbestos were recruited as
controls. Study design was a comparative cross-sectional study. Information
related to safety practices of workers were collected using an investigator-
administered questionnaire. A doctor in the research team examined their
respiratory system. They underwent lung function test (Cosmed Pony-FX
spirometer). Mean duration of exposure to asbestos was 12.8±10.2 years.
Results showed that protective gear for protection of hand, body, eyes and
respiratory system from asbestos fibre were worn by 260 (54.74%), 63
(13.26%), 90 (18.95%) and 402 (84.63%), respectively. Regular use of
respiratory protection was practiced only by 120 (25.26%). 458 (96.42%) had
normal respiratory system examination findings while three (0.63%) had
crackles at lung bases and 14 (2.95%) had wheezing. FVC was below predicted
in 178 asbestos workers and 58 controls (Odds ratio (OR) 1.075 (95% CI 0.742-
1.557), P=0.775). FEV1 was below predicted in 183 asbestos workers and 51
controls (OR 1.364 (95% CI 0.933-1.994), P=0.131). FEV1/FVC ratio was below
predicted in 11 asbestos workers and seven controls (OR 0.525 (95% CI 0.200-
1.378), P=0.291). FEF 25-75 below predicted in 41 asbestos workers and 21
controls (OR 0.634 (95% CI 0.363-1.110), P=0.146). It is concluded that safety
practices of workers can be further improved. Lung function parameters of
asbestos industry workers are not significantly different from those of controls.
Keywords: asbestos, safety practices, lung function test