Risk of chronic kidney failure
Those who work in dusty environments are at increased risk of chronic kidney failure, according to a study by the University of Gothenburg. Among construction workers who work in dusty environments, the risk is 15 percent higher than among construction workers who are not exposed to significant amounts of dust.
Chronic renal failure is the most common form of kidney failure and involves a slow, gradual deterioration of the kidneys' ability to cleanse the body. Harmful substances and fluid that would otherwise be carried away by urine remain in the body.
– It can lead to an increased risk of other diseases. In cases where the disease is very advanced, you may need dialysis, says Karl Kjellbo Edlund, a doctoral student at Sahlgrenska Academy and the study's first author.
Recent research shows that air pollution from industrial emissions and traffic can cause cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. The new study shows that even inorganic dust particles released during construction can increase the risk of kidney disease.
– We see a clear association between working in construction environments with high dust levels and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease before the age of 65. However, further studies are needed to show whether there is a causal relationship and to map the biological mechanisms.
This type of disease develops over a long period of time.
The study, which is based on data from about 280,000 construction workers who participated in health checks between 1971 and 1993, was published in the scientific journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
– One of the advantages of the study is that we have a long follow-up period. In this way, we can see this type of disease develop over a long period of time.
This is how you prevent dust from accumulating on your building.
- First of all, try to remove dust. This can be done, for example, by choosing a working method that generates less dust. To reduce the risk of particularly harmful dust such as quartz dust, you should choose materials that do not contain quartz.
- Most often, dust cannot be completely removed. Then you should try to reduce the risks, for example, by encasing or protecting dusty work steps, moistening building materials with water, investing in good ventilation, working from the cabin and cleaning regularly.
- When the above measures are not sufficient or feasible, workers must protect themselves with personal protective equipment, i.e. a respirator that prevents the ingestion of harmful dust particles.
source: Work Environment Agency
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