Assessment of Dust Exposure and Risk of Respiratory Diseases among Stone Quarry Workers in Karibib, Namibia

Background Namibia has been experiencing an increase in occupational respiratory conditions among quarry workers mainly attributed to noncompliance with OHS provisions by the mining companies in the Erongo Region. Community members have also become a victim of respiratory conditions and disorders due to dust expose from surrounding quarry activities. Objective The study assessed respirable dust exposure and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among quarry workers and community members in the Erongo region of Namibia. Methods A quantitative descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 233 quarry workers and community members from selected quarries. GilAir dust monitoring pump measured respirable dust levels and questionnaires were used to collect data on respiratory symptoms. Results Quarry workers were found to be exposed to moderately high levels of dust 0.85 mg m³ mean as compared to community members 0.62 mg m³ . Varying dust exposure levels were found across all four sites and job categories. Site A and excavation job category had the highest dust levels. All sites recorded levels within the recommended occupational exposure limit values. The most prevalent respiratory symptoms reported by the quarry workers were coughing 57 and the corresponding percentage among the non exposed group was lower at 14 . Conclusion No association between respiratory diseases disorders and dust exposure levels were found, which could be explained by observed compliance with national and international Occupational Exposure Limit OEL for quarrying dust or it could be by chance, which is influenced by a small sample size or healthy worker effect. S. Shihepo | R. Mahalie | O. Awofolu | N. Hamatui "Assessment of Dust Exposure and Risk of Respiratory Diseases among Stone Quarry Workers in Karibib, Namibia" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-8 | Issue-4 , August 2024, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd67210.pdf Paper Url: https://www.ijtsrd.com/other-scientific-research-area/other/67210/assessment-of-dust-exposure-and-risk-of-respiratory-diseases-among-stone-quarry-workers-in-karibib-namibia/s-shihepo