Differential Inflammatory Cytokine Elaboration in Serum from Brick Kiln Workers in Bhaktapur, Nepal.

Previous studies involving workers at brick kilns in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal have investigated chronic exposure to hazardous levels of fine particulate matter (PM) common in ambient and occupational environments. Such exposures are known to cause and/or exacerbate chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the status of systemic inflammation observed in exposed workers at brick manufacturing facilities within the country.

Respirable dust and crystalline silica concentrations among workers at a brick kiln in Bhaktapur, Nepal.

Exposure to respirable dust and crystalline silica (SiO) has been linked to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, silicosis, cancer, heart disease, and other respiratory diseases. Relatively few studies have measured respirable dust and SiO concentrations among workers at brick kilns in low- and middle-income countries. The purpose of this study was to measure personal breathing zone (PBZ) respirable dust and SiO concentrations among workers at one brick kiln in Bhaktapur, Nepal.