Prevalence of lung function impairment among Greek cement production workers: a cross-sectional study

Greece is a significant cement producing country. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of lung function impairment among Greek cement workers. One hundred thirty-seven cement production workers participated in this study. In addition, 110 employees not exposed to cement dust comprised the control group. The concentration of cement total dust at workplace varied from 1.1 to 11.6 mg/m(3). In only one of the measurements, the Threshold Limit Level of 10 mg/m3 has been exceeded. Cement production workers presented a higher prevalence of FEV1<80% in comparison to controls (13.9% vs. 2.7%; Chi-Square Test; p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis has shown that cement production workers have recorded an almost 5 fold risk of low lung function, as expressed by FEV1 <80%, in comparison to the reference population OR = 4.92; 95% C.I. = 1.22-12.62). Current smoking was associated with an almost 4-fold increased risk of FEV1 <80% (OR = 3.91;95 A C.I. = 1.32-11.56). In conclusion, we found a high prevalence of impaired lung function among Greek cement production workers, despite the fact that total and inhalable dust levels were below the occupational exposure limits.