More and more workers in the industry are falling ill due to exposure to particulate matter. It's invisible, but the consequences are enormous. We spoke with several workers and experts about the impact of particulate matter on their health and what needs to change.
'My lungs are shot, and I'm only 45'
Pieter (45) worked in the metal industry for twenty years. He had never given any thought to the air he breathed every day. 'You can't see it, so you don't think about it. Until I started running out of breath more and more often, even with the slightest exertion.'
After a visit to the doctor, he got his diagnosis: chronic bronchitis caused by exposure to particulate matter. 'My lungs are shot, and I'm only 45. I can't even play football with my kids anymore without panting like an old man.'
Where does particulate matter come from?
Particulate matter consists of microscopically small particles released during production processes such as metalworking, wood processing and combustion. 'In many workshops, the dust just floats around. Extraction systems? They're often switched off, because that saves money,' says Erik, a safety expert in the manufacturing industry.
Health under pressure: 'My father died of lung cancer, and he worked in the same factory'
For many workers, reality only sinks in far too late. Linda (38) witnessed it up close: 'My father worked in a wood factory for forty years. He was always healthy, but a few years ago he got lung cancer. The doctors said that particulate matter probably played a major role. He's no longer with us.'
According to the RIVM, workers in the industry face an increased risk of:
- Respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic bronchitis.
- Cardiovascular diseases, including an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- Cancer, especially with prolonged exposure to metals and chemical substances.
What needs to change?
Many workers feel powerless, but there are solutions. 'There needs to be more monitoring of air quality in factories,' says Erik. 'Employers must invest in extraction and protection, and not only when it's already too late.'
Pieter nods. 'We now wear masks, but that's just a band-aid solution. The whole work environment needs to be cleaner. No one should get sick from their job.'
Conclusion
Particulate matter is a silent killer in the industry. Workers like Pieter and Linda's father are paying the price for a problem that has been ignored for far too long. If companies and policymakers don't take action now, this will remain a hidden disaster.
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