5/1/2023 0 Comments Workers breathing zone![]() ![]() Furthermore, reduced lung function was found among primary coffee factory workers in Papua New Guinea ( 6), indicating that the coffee workers might develop a non-specific chronic lung disease due to dust exposure at work. A higher prevalence of acute respiratory symptoms was found among primary coffee factories workers in Uganda and Sri Lanka compared to controls ( 7, 8). It has been indicated that the exposure to coffee dust is likely to cause acute and chronic respiratory symptoms ( 7, 8). Studies in primary factories in Papua New Guinea and Uganda that processed both Arabica and Robusta coffee, showed levels of total dust exposure ranging 0.7–10 mg/m 3 and 1–58 mg/m 3 ( 6, 7). Only a few older studies have been conducted in primary coffee factories, although numerous workers are engaged worldwide in this part of the coffee production process. Sensitization to allergens in GCB might be one of the factors involved in workers respiratory effects, including work-related asthma ( 4, 5). Cross-shift reductions in lung function were found among Yugoslavian coffee workers ( 3). ( 2) did not find an association between the level of coffee dust exposure and lung function impairment. ( 1) found significantly lower residual FEV1 among US workers handling green coffee, with long work duration, while in Germany, Oldenburg et al. Several studies describe aspects of work and health in coffee roasting facilities. Roasting mostly takes place in the countries the coffee is exported to. Only a few of the primary processing factories include the roasting process. ![]() Finally, the green coffee beans (GCB) are packed for transportation. Damaged and discolored coffee beans may also be removed by handpicking. In the primary factories the beans are mechanically cleaned of debris, hulled to remove the hard cover, and then sorted by size and weight. Measures to reduce dust exposure should be targeted to factors identified as significant determinants of exposure.īefore coffee beans are brought to the primary coffee processing factories, they are processed at the farm to remove the outer layers of the coffee cherries. Among the male coffee workers, there was a significant association between cumulative dust exposure and the lung function variables FEV1 and FVC, respectively.Ĭonclusions: The results suggest that coffee production workers are at risk of developing chronic respiratory symptoms and reduced lung function, and that the findings are related to high dust levels. There was a significant difference between the male coffee workers and controls in the adjusted FEV1 (0.26 l/s) and FVC (0.21 l) and in the prevalence of airflow limitation (FEV1/FVC < 0.7) (6.3 vs. The highest symptom prevalence and odds ratio were found for cough (48.4% OR = 11.3), while for breathlessness and wheezing the odds ratios were 3.2 and 2.4, respectively. The male workers had higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms than controls. Exposure to endotoxins was high (3,500 42–75,083) compared to the Dutch OEL of 90 EU/m 3. Results: Dust exposure among male production workers was higher in Ethiopia (GM 12 mg/m 3 range 1.1–81) than in Tanzania (2.5 0.24–36). Lung function was measured by a spirometer in accordance with ATS guidelines. Chronic respiratory symptoms were assessed using the American Thoracic Society (ATS) questionnaire. Personal samples of “total” dust and endotoxin were taken in the breathing zone. Methods: This study merged data from cross-sectional studies from 2010 to 2019 in 4 and 12 factories in Tanzania and Ethiopia, respectively. Our aim was to review recent studies on dust exposure and respiratory health among coffee factory workers in Tanzania and Ethiopia, two major coffee producing countries in Africa. Studies from the 80- and 90-ties indicated respiratory health effects among the workers, but these results may not represent the present status. Introduction: In primary coffee factories the coffee beans are cleaned and sorted. 4Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.3School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.2Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.1Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.Magne Bråtveit 1 *, Samson Wakuma Abaya 2, Gloria Sakwari 3 and Bente E.
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