Respiratory symptoms and associated factors among building construction workers in Surabaya

Dust is the most important hazard in the building construction work.Itispotentially inhaled by the workers and may lead to respiratory symptoms. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors related to respiratory symptoms among building construction workers. The method of this research was cross-sectional design with sample size of 86 people. The data were obtained from the Material Data Sheet, the questionnaire from the American Thoracic Society (ATS-DLD-78-A), and dust measurementusing Low Volume Dust Sampler (LVDS). Data were analyzed by using logistic regression test (α=0.05). The results showed that the material contained high silica on the fly ash (42.19%). The level of dust exceeded threshold limit values (10 mg/m³), that wason concrete grinding work (12.1539 mg/m³) and ceramic cutting work (10.2224 mg/m³). As many as 65.1% of workers have respiratory symptoms with the most symptoms of a cough and intake dose >0.03 mg/kg.day (81%). Logistic regression test showed that the working period (p=0.003) and the intake dose (p=0.006) was the most influential factors for the respiratory symptoms. It is recommended for companies to measure respirable dust fraction and silica content, carry out spirometry and x-ray checks, provide appropriate local exhaust ventilation and dust masks, perform a work rotation system to limit the duration of dust exposure.