A Study on the Effect of Sawdust on Respiratory Integrity of Sawmillers in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the study was to the effect of sawdust on respiratory integrity of sawmillers inIrrua, Esan Central Local Government Area. The size of the sample population was 100; 50sawmillers (38 males and 12 females) and 50 non-sawmillers (36 males and 14 females).Mean age of the sample population was 34.38±8.93 years (minimum of 20 years andmaximum of 49 years), mean age of sawmillers was 34.36±8.87 years and mean age of non-sawmillers was 34.40±9.08 years. The results show PEFR of sawmillers was 422.00±95.38L/Min and the value of non-sawmillers was 604.00±102.94 L/Min. There was significanteffect of sawdust on PEFR. The mean RR of sawmillers is 20.08±3.89 cycles/min and thevalue of non-sawmillers was 13.74±1.37 cycles/min. There was significant effect of sawduston RR. PEFR of less than ten years was 408.97±88.01 L/Min and there is a noticeableincrease of PEFR as the duration in years increases but it was not significant. The mean RRof those less than ten years is 19.77±3.96 cycles/min and it increases as the duration in yearsincreases but it was insignificant. Based on the findings and in view of the limitations, thestudy therefore confirmed that sawdust has effect on the respiratory integrity of sawmillers asPEFR of sawmillers is significantly lower than the non-sawmillers, and RR of sawmillers issignificantly higher than the non-sawmillers, The recommendations emanating from thisstudy include the following:- ventilatory function assessment that is re-employment andfrequent tests should be carried out on sawmill workers, health education should be organizedfor this sawmill workers and their employers from time to time and they should beencouraged to use personal protective device