Self-reported exposure to dust and diesel exhaust, respiratory symptoms, and use of respiratory protective equipment among Arctic minersShow others and affiliations
2024 (English)In: International Journal of Circumpolar Health, ISSN 1239-9736, E-ISSN 2242-3982, Vol. 83, no 1, article id 2343125
Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Arctic miners face significant risks from diesel exhaust and dust exposure, potentially leading to adverse respiratory health. Employers must limit harmful exposures, using personal protective equipment (PPE) as a last line of defense. This study explored the association between reported respiratory exposure and symptoms, and PPE training and usage. Data from the MineHealth study (2012–2014) included a total of 453 Arctic open pit miners in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Participants answered questions on exposure to dust and diesel exhaust, respiratory symptoms, and PPE use, in addition to age, gender, BMI, smoking, and self-rated health. Estimated exposure to dust was common, reported by 91%, 80%, and 82% and that of diesel exhaust by 84%, 43%, and 47% of workers in Sweden, Finland, and Norway, respectively. Reported dust exposure was significantly related to respiratory symptoms (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3–3.7), diesel exposure increased the occurrence of wheezing (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.3–5.4). PPE use varied between the studied mines. Non-use was common and related to reduced visibility, wetness, skin irritation and fogging of the respiratory PPE. Future research should employ more precise exposure assessment, respiratory function as well as explore the reasons behind the non-compliance of PPE use.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis Group, 2024. Vol. 83, no 1, article id 2343125
Keywords [en]
air pollutant, Arctic, open-pit mining, personal protective equipment, respiratory symptoms
National Category
Occupational Health and Environmental Health Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology Respiratory Medicine and Allergy
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-223626DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2024.2343125PubMedID: 38626426Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85190506069OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-223626DiVA, id: diva2:1854488
Funder
Forte, Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, 2011–04942024-04-252024-04-252024-07-02Bibliographically approved