The Respiratory Health of Woodworkers in Accra Timber Market

Industrial ambient air particulate matter inhaled in the workplace can cause a variety of health hazards. Exposure to wood dust has been associated with respiratory health problems involving the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Different respiratory health problems have also been associated with different tree species. The wood industry in Ghana processes a mixture of different hardwood species however no studies have been reported on the respiratory health effects of these wood species. The main aim of this study therefore was to determine the respiratory health effects of wood dust of local wood species on the respiratory health of woodworkers located at the Accra Timber Market who work mostly without the protection of the respiratory system.