Abstract:
Background: Dry Coffee processing workers are at a greater risk of developing respiratory
health problems because of exposure to coffee dusts in their working environment. However,
very little evidence has been available on the exposure level of coffee dust and the respiratory
health status of dry coffee processing workers.
Objective: To assess dust exposure levels, respiratory symptoms and associated factors
among coffee processing workers in Agaro town, Jimma zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.
Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted on 315 workers of five dry coffee processing
industries in Agaro town. Simple random sampling method was used for the selection of
study participants of five purposively selected industries. Respiratory health symptoms were
assessed by questionnaires developed from American Thoracic Society (ATS) with few
amendments. A workplace dust sample was collected from the selected coffee processing
industries by Hold peak 5800d particulate detector from the three risky departments (hand
pickers, store/packers and machine rooms) twice in different intervals of times in each
industry. Data was entered Epi-data 3.1 and exported to (SPSS) version 21 for analysis.
Frequency, geometric mean, chi-square and regression for analysis and p-value <0.05 at 95%
CI considered statistically significant. Dust was compared with the threshold limit value.
Results: The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was 38.5% (95% CI: (33-44%))
and high with employees in production room 37(71.2%) followed by packing room 38
(36.2%). The emission levels of particulate matter 2.5µm and 10µm from the all five dry
coffee processing industries had the geometric mean of 3.2mg/m 3 and 11.6mg/m 3
respectively. Where, as the maximum values were 4.5mg/m 3 of PM 2.5 and 21.25mg/m 3 of
PM 10 . Out of the 30 measured samples, 17(56.7%) of PM 2.5 >3mg/m 3 and 20(66.7%) of PM 10
>10mg/m 3 above threshold limit value. Particulate matter in each working units varies and
workers of machine room were 4 times more likely to develop chronic respiratory symptoms
compared to the workers in hand cleaners room (AOR:3.6,95% CI:(1.68-8)). Working more
hours & service years was a reason for exposure to chronic respiratory symptoms
(AOR=0.47, 95% CI:(0.25-0.75)) and (AOR=0.28,95% CI:(0.14-0.56)) respectively.
Conclusion: The results revealed that, the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and
workplace dusts exposure levels of the five dry coffee processing industries were high.
Hence, taking engineering and administrative measures to improve Occupational Health and
Safety and minimizing dust exposure levels
