THE INCIDENCE OF ALLERGIC OF PULAI (ALSTONIA SCHOLARIS) WOOD DUST TO WORKERS OF PENCIL SLATE INDUSTRY IN MUSI RAWAS DISTRICT-SOUTH SUMATERA PROVINCE, INDONESIA

摘要

The amount of research has proved that the exposure of wood dust can impair the lung function and skin allergies. This study aimed to determine the incidence of allergies in the workers exposed to Pulai wood dust (Alstonia scholaris) from Pencil slatemanufacturer in Musi Rawas Regency, South Sumatera-Indonesia. The respondents were selected as many as 90 people and examined the lung function with Spirometry. The result showed that there were 21 respondents having the abnormal spirometry value. The further examination was conducted by checking the allergies to 18 respondents using skin prick test method. There were 6 respondents who have allergies. The study showed that the Pulai wood dust can cause allergies to the workers.