Risk Factors for Nasal Symptoms, Olfactory Disorders and Mucociliary Transport in Factory Workers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26911/theijmed.2025.10.01.05Abstract
Background: Occupational exposure to a variety of individual chemicals has been associated with olfactory dysfunction, which is important for many occupational groups that rely on intact olfactory function to perform their jobs and for their safety. We aim to determine the risk factors for nasal symptoms, olfactory disorders and mucociliary transport in spice factory workers in Semarang.
Subjects and Method: This was a cross-sectional study. A sample of 600 factory workers filled out the NOSE Scale and QOD-NS questionnaires, having their ears, nose, and throat examined, and calculated the time in which the participants tasted sweetness after being given saccharin to the inferior turbinate. The analysis used were univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis.
Results: Of 600 respondents, 52.2% were women, 87.8% had reported no nassal symptoms, 81.5% had normal NOSE scale, and 83.3% had normal mucociliary transport. Risk factors for nasal disorders, smell disorders, and mucociliary transport disorders were age ≥40 years old, male, smoking, longer exposure time, obesity, and PPE use.
Conclusion: There is a significant association between occupational risk factors and nasal symptoms, olfactory disorders and mucociliary transport disorders. The most influential factor is discipline in using PPE to prevent nasal disorders, olfactory disorders and mucociliary transport disorders.
Keywords:
Nasal symptoms, smell disorders, mucociliary transport, NOSE scale, QOD-NSReferences
Crivellaro MA, Ottaviano G, Maculan P, Pendolino AL, Vianello L, Mason P, Gioffrè F, et al (2020). Upper and lower respiratory signs and symptoms in workers occupationally exposed to flour dust. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 17(19):7075. Doi: 10.3390/ijerph17197075.
Dobashi K, Usami A, Yokozeki H, Tsuri-kisawa N, Nakamura Y, Sato K, Oku-mura J, et al (2020). Japanese guide-lines for occupational allergic diseases 2020. Allergology Int. 69(3): 387–404. Doi: doi.org/10.1016/-j.alit.2020.03.010
Dostbil Z, Polat C, Uysal İÖ, Bakır S, Kara-kuş A, Altındağ S (2011). Evaluation of nasal mucociliary transport rate by99mtc-macroaggregated albumin rhinoscintigraphy in woodworkers. Int J Mol Imaging. 2011: 620482. Doi: 10.1155/2011/620482
Doty RL (2015). Neurotoxic exposure and impairment of the chemical senses of taste and smell. Handb Clin Neurol. 131: 299–324. Doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-62627-1.00016-0.
Etter J, Ussher M, Hughes JR (2013). A test of proposed new tobacco withdrawal symptoms. Addiction. 108(1): 50–59. Doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.03981.x.
Glennon S-G, Huedo-Medina T, Rawal S, Hoffman HJ, Litt MD, Duffy VB (2019). Chronic cigarette smoking associates directly and indirectly with self-reported olfactory alterations: analysis of the 2011–2014 national health and nutrition examination survey. Nicotine Tob Res. 21(6): 818–827. Doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntx242.
Green DR, Masterson EA, Themann CL (2021). Prevalence of hearing protec-tion device non‐use among noise-exposed US workers in 2007 and 2014. Am J Ind Med. 64(12): 1002–1017. Doi: 10.1002/ajim.23291
Hox V, Steelant B, Fokkens W, Nemery B, Hellings PW (2014). Occupational upper airway disease: how work affects the nose. Allergy. 69(3): 282–291. Doi: 10.1111/all.12347
Hwang PH, Abdalkhani A. (2003). Embryology, anatomy and physiology of the nose and paranasal sinuses. In Ballenger’s otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery, 16th edn. People’s Medical Publishing House, Connec-ticut (16th ed.). People’s Medical Publishing House.
Irzal MK (2016). Dasar-Dasar Kesehatan dan Keselamatan Kerja (1st ed.). Kencana.
Kotz S, Pechtold L, Jörres RA, Nowak D, Chaker
AM (2021a). Occupational rhinitis. Allergol. Select. 5(01): 51–56. Doi: doi.org/10.5414/ALX02165E
Kotz S, Pechtold L, Jörres RA, Nowak D, Chaker AM (2021b). Occupational rhinitis. Allergol. Select. 5(01): 51–56. Doi: doi.org/10.5414/ALX02165E
Liva GA, Karatzanis AD, Prokopakis EP (2021). Review of rhinitis: classifica-tion, types, pathophysiology. J. Clin. Med. 10(14): 3183. Doi: 10.3390/-jcm10143183
Malo JL, Chan-Yeung M (2007). Asthma in the workplace: a canadian contribution and perspective. Can. Respir. J. 14: 407–413. Doi: 10.1155/2007/753724.
Mattos JL, Schlosser RJ, DeConde AS, Hyer M, Mace JC, Smith TL, Soler ZM (2018). Factor analysis of the questionnaire of olfactory disorders in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. IFAR. 8(7): 777–782. Doi: doi.org/10.1002/alr.22112
Valía PP, Valero FC, Pardo JM, Rentero DB, Monte CG (2008). Saccharin test for the study of mucociliary clearance: reference values for a spanish population. Arch Bronconeumol. 44(10), 540–545. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.-nih.gov/19006634/
Werner S, Nies E (2018). Olfactory dysfunction revisited: a reappraisal of work-related olfactory dysfunction caused by chemicals. J. Occup. Med. Toxicol. 13(1): 28. Doi: 10.1186/s12995-018-0209-6.
Wise SK, Damask C, Roland LT, Ebert C, Levy JM, Lin S, Luong A, et al (2023). International consensus statement on allergy and rhinology: allergic rhinitis–2023. Int. Forum Allergy Rhinol. 13(4): 293–859. Doi: 10.1002/alr.23090.
