Occupational Exposure of Workers to Wood Dust in Ibesikpo Timber Market, Calabar South Local Government Area, Nigeria

The purpose of this study was to determine the occupational exposure of workers in Ibesikpo timber market, Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria to wood dust; specifically, the health effects experienced by workers, general knowledge of the risk factors associated with exposure to wood dust, availability of occupational health services and the use of personal protective equipment. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study. The study population comprised all workers in the timber market. A semi-structured questionnaire which was interviewer administered was used for data collection and data collected were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 and presented in percentages and tables. Greater number of workers were exposed to wood dust and other occupational hazards (94.41%). The health effects experienced by the respondents were eye problem, skin infection and respiratory symptoms such as wheezing (13.41%), shortness of breath (6.10%), sputum production (9.76%) and cough (70.73%), which has the highest percentage. Majority of the respondents were less knowledgeable about the hazards associated with exposure to wood dust (74.13%). There was no provision for occupational health services in the timber market. Utilisation of personal protection equipment among the respondents was low (34.27%). Steps to protect the health of the workers in Ibesikpo timber market are recommended