TY  - BOOK
AU  - Feir,S.
AU  - Quijano,D.
AU  - Tan,CL
AU  - Fontanilla,MJ
AU  - Pichay,LL
AU  - Tan,J
AU  - Estrada,DF
AU  - Panlileo,LA
AU  - Tandoc,NA
AU  - Dimalaluan,DN
AU  - Medina,E Jr
AU  -  Silva,AT
AU  -  Alonzo,M
AU  - Libarnes,NR
AU  - Strebel,HMJ
AU  - Zafra,MA
AU  -  Lim,M
AU  - Severino,OG
AU  -  Valte,D
AU  - Lopez,CC
AU  - Roque,PP
AU  - Tecson,MP
TI  - A cross-sectional study on respiratory symptoms and pulmonary dysfunction in employees exposed and unexposed to non-soap powder detergent
KW  - Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory
KW  - Detergents
KW  - adverse effects
KW  - Occupational Exposure
N2  - This study investigated the relationship of exposure to non-soap powder detergents (NSD) with respiratory symptoms and pulmonary dysfunction. Respiratory symptoms of 90 factory workers exposed to non-soap powder detergents and 90 unexposed subjects were determined using a standardized questionnaire modified from the ATS-DLD questionnaire on chronic respiratory symptoms. A forced expired vital capacity maneuver was carried out using calibrated pneumotachograph spirometer to evaluate pulmonary function of all subjects participating in this cross-sectional study.


Crude analysis suggested a relationship between non-soap powder detergent and recurrent cough (OR=9.84, 95% CI:3.5-33.8), sputum production (OR=2.20, 95% CI:1.04-4.7), dyspnea (OR=2.01, 95% CI: 1.05-3.9) and pulmonary dysfunction (OR=2.74, 95% CI: 1.06-7.32). Multiple logistic regression analysis controlling for the confounding effects of age, smoking habits, educational attainment, family history and personal medical history yielded lower ORs; recurrent cough, OR=8.3 sputum production, OR=1.9 dyspnea, OR=1.6 and pulmonary dysfunction respectively, OR-2.2. Note that all are still greater than one (1) suggesting associations.

These findings can be confirmed with future studies that consider other factors affecting respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function such as nutrition, pollution and lifestyle preferably using a longitudinal study design
ER  -