The health impact of wood dust in Kijishi: Yamanaka Kijishi Study

ObjectivesIt is well known that exposure to wood dust can cause Sinonasal carcinomas (SNC) and various respiratory diseases such as allergies. Japanese woodturners called kijishi work in an environment where wood dust is generated from lathes, and they are considered at risk for various diseases. However, there is a dearth of research on the health impacts of wood dust on kijishi. The purpose of this study is to understand the real situation of kijishi that are exposed to wood dust. MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted with 20 kijishi. We measured the amounts of wood dust two experienced kijishi were exposed to during a typical woodturning session. ResultsApproximately half the participants exhibited allergic symptoms such as rhinitis; however, this rate was equivalent to the result of the Japan Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions 2019. SNC was not observed in any of the participants. The level of exposure to wood dust was low, that is, inhalable dust was 0.03 mg/m3, and total dust 0.22 mg/m3. The measured values were very low compared to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH), and Health and Safety Executive Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (HSE COSHH) standards. ConclusionsWe concluded that constant ventilation during woodturning reduces exposure to wood dust, thereby preventing harm to the health of kijishi to a considerable extent.