Disorders of Lung Function in Mattress Making Workers at Wonoyoso Village, Pringapus District, Semarang Regency

Abstract

Background: Cotton dust produced from the production process of making mattresses in informal sector businesses based on the temporary measurements using personal dust sampler devices the results are 5.1 mg/m3 and 6.2 mg/m3. The value shows the number above the Threshold Value which is allowed 3 mg/m3. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of exposure to inhaled cotton dust with pulmonary function disorders in mattress maker workers.

Methods: The type of research used was observational analytic with cross sectional research. The research population is the whole of the research subjects that will be examined as well as sampled, namely workers in the production section. The data were analyzed by univariate and bivariate then statistical tests were performed using the chi-square test.

Result: The results of univariate analysis showed that exposure to inhaled cotton dust whose concentration exceeded 3 mg/m3 (56.7%), the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which included occasional use and did not use PPE at all (43.3%), length of exposure > 8 hours per day (60.0%), working period ≥10 years (46.7%), age> 30 years (73.3%), history of pulmonary disease (23.3%), abnormal nutritional status (60.0%), never exercising (36.7%), smoking habits (36.7%). The results of bivariate analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between exposure to inhaled cotton dust (p=0.001), working period (p=0.000), age (p = 0,034) and smoking habits (0.018) with pulmonary function disorders.

Conclusion: The results of examination of lung function capacity of 60.0% of workers experienced pulmonary function disorders. Exposure to inhaled cotton dust, Working period, age and smoking habits are related to lung function disorders.