Respiratory tract diseases and lung function in coke oven plant workers: a 50-year global systematic evaluation and meta-analysis

This systematic review examines the impact of coke oven emissions (COEs) on workers’ health, with an emphasis on respiratory diseases and mortality. This study aims to investigate the relationship between exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), particulate matter (PM2.5), benzene (C6H6), and coal tar pitch volatiles (CTPV) among coke production workers and their association with respiratory diseases, lung function, lung cancer, and mortality from malignant respiratory diseases. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Medline, and Embase up to December 16, 2024, based on the PECO (Population, Exposure, Comparator, and Outcomes) framework. A total of 38 studies met the inclusion criteria. PAHs were the most studied pollutants, with 47% of studies examining their effects in environments like coke oven factories, where workers are at high risk of COPD, asthma, and lung cancer. 37% of the studies focused on lung cancer, highlighting worries about the part contaminants play in the development of cancer in industrial settings. 18% of studies observed non-cancerous diseases such COPD and chronic bronchitis, as well as respiratory symptoms like chronic cough and shortness of breath. Data collection methods differed among research, with questionnaires and interviews constituting the predominant approach (66%), especially for evaluating respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis and asthma. This study also assesses the mortality risks associated with coke oven emissions, demonstrating a significant association between such exposure and higher mortality. However, the significant heterogeneity across studies (I-squared value of 98.9%) indicates considerable variation in methodology. This study shows that workers exposed to coke oven emissions and other industrial pollutants face significant health hazards, underlining the need for stricter occupational health and safety standards to safeguard vulnerable populations. The findings also highlight the necessity for continuous health monitoring of workers and improved management of industrial pollutants to prevent chronic respiratory diseases and enhance workers’ quality of life.