Occupational non-communicable respiratory diseases in industrial and agricultural workers

Introduction. Harmful inhalation effects in the workplace, most of which are preventable, determine more than 10% of chronic non-infectious bronchopulmonary pathology over the world at the population level. In this regard, updated information on inhalation risk factors in various sectors of the economy and the prevalence of diseases associated with them is important for the scientific justification of targeted programs for the prevention of occupational respiratory diseases.

Materials and methods. On the basis of the competent statistical materials of the Rospotrebnadzor Department for the Saratov region, a retrospective analysis of the prevalence of occupational non-communicable respiratory diseases (ONRD) and factor inhalation effects in various industries and agriculture of the region was carried out using generally accepted methods.

Results. For the period from 2009 to 2019 in the territory of the Saratov region one hundred sixty seven industrial workers (58 people), and agriculture (109 people) were established to be diagnosed with 189 ONRD. Despite a fivefold reduction in cases of detection of ONRD over the past decade, non-communicable respiratory diseases occupied the second rank in the structure of accumulated occupational morbidity (25.1%). The range of the contribution of ONRD to the total pool of occupational diseases for different years of observation was from 13.9 to 37.5% in the industrial sector, from 13.3 to 33.3% in agriculture. The largest number of ONRD cases were registered in plant-growing workers (51.9%), manufacturing industries (23.3%), and livestock (10.1%); the smallest number in those engaged in mining (2.6%). The first ranks in the structure of the accumulated ONRD were occupied by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (33.9%), chronic dust-free non-obstructive bronchitis (31.2%), and occupational bronchial asthma (23.3%), associated with air pollution of the working environment with silicon-containing, organic dust and sensitizing agents, the genesis of which was determined by the specifics of working conditions.

Limitation. The gender factor was not taken into account when analyzing the prevalence of ONRD and its nosological structure.

Conclusion. The data obtained can be used in the development of comprehensive medical and hygienic programs to improve occupational conditions and preserve the longevity of industrial and agricultural workers.

Contribution:
Mikerov A.N. — research design, editing;
Bezrukova G.A. — research concept and design, material collection, statistical processing, text writing;
Novikova T.A. — material collection and text writing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: August 21, 2023 / Accepted: September 26, 2023 / Published: November 20, 2023