The Effects of Waste Management Exposure on % FEV/FVC, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of waste management exposure on % FEV/FVC, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Fifty (50) waste management workers were recruited for this study. The study combines prospective cross-sectional health status and lung function assessment of waste management workers. Descriptive cross-sectional study was used to evaluate waste management workers’ health and safety practices on waste management was conducted using a questionnaire that contained information on their socio-demographical personal assessment and reported symptoms on the impacts of waste on their health experiences and a lung function test was carried out on them. Respiratory function parameters were evaluated using a handheld spirometer according to the ATS standard. Data obtained from the assessment was subjected electronically to descriptive (Frequency, Percentage, Mean and Standard deviation) and inferential (Analysis of variance ANOVA, Duncan Multiple Range Test DMRT, Student t-test and regression analysis) statistics using SPSS for Windows Version 22.0. P<0.05 were considered significant. In this present study there was a significant of mean FVC and a higher FEV1/FVC% among waste management workers. The peak flow self-monitoring showed a significantly greater proportion of waste management workers with a variation in PEFR of 40% within a 24-h period and less proportion of waste management workers with a variation of 5%. No differences were found in 2-wk variability in PEF between the groups of workers. Comparison of the main peak flow meter parameters showed a significant difference between the mean PEFR of exposed. In a similar vein, the mean PEFR of exposed and unexposed persons differed significantly. When comparing waste management workers to healthy persons, the PEFR values revealed a significant decrease in lung function metrics like FVC, FEV1, and PEFR values.