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Respiratory health effects associated with restoration work in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans.

Authors

Rando-RJ; Lefante-JJ; Freyder-LM; Jones-RN

Source

J Environ Public Health 2012 Dec; 2012:462478

Link

http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/462478 

NIOSHTIC No.

20042123 

Abstract

Background. This study examines prevalence of respiratory conditions in New Orleans-area restoration workers after Hurricane Katrina. Methods. Between 2007 and 2010, spirometry and respiratory health and occupational questionnaire were administered to 791 New Orleans-area adults who mostly worked in the building construction and maintenance trades or custodial services. The associations between restoration work hours and lung function and prevalence of respiratory symptoms were examined by multiple linear regression, X(2), or multiple logistic regression. Results. 74% of participants performed post-Katrina restoration work (median time: 620 hours). Symptoms reported include episodes of transient fever/cough (29%), sinus symptoms (48%), pneumonia (3.7%), and new onset asthma (4.5%). Prevalence rate ratios for post-Katrina sinus symptoms (PRR = 1.3; CI: 1.1, 1.7) and fever and cough (PRR = 1.7; CI: 1.3, 2.4) were significantly elevated overall for those who did restoration work and prevalence increased with restoration work hours. Prevalence rate ratios with restoration work were also elevated for new onset asthma (PRR = 2.2; CI: 0.8, 6.2) and pneumonia (PRR = 1.3; CI: 0.5, 3.2) but were not statistically significant. Overall, lung function was slightly depressed but was not significantly different between those with and without restoration work exposure. Conclusions. Post-Katrina restoration work is associated with moderate adverse effects on respiratory health, including sinusitis and toxic pneumonitis.

Keywords

Respiratory-system-disorders; Emergency-response; Construction; Construction-workers; Hazardous-materials; Hazardous-waste-cleanup; Spirometry; Pulmonary-function-tests; Pulmonary-system-disorders; Lung-disorders; Lung-function; Health-surveys; Questionnaires; Maintenance-workers; Bronchial-asthma

Contact

Roy J. Rando, Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2100, New Orleans, LA 70112-2704, USA

Publication Date

20121209

Document Type

Journal Article

Funding Type

Grant

Fiscal Year

2013

NTIS Accession No.

NTIS Price

Identifying No.

Grant-Number-R01-OH-008938

ISSN

1687-9805

Source Name

Journal of Environmental and Public Health

State

LA

Performing Organization

Tulane University of Louisiana