Asset Publisher

Chalk causes respiratory problems for teachers

14.06.2011

A scientific study shows a 6% prevalence of asthma, 25% of frequent symptoms of upper respiratory tract (SFRS) and 50% of hoarseness in the last year to school teachers. It was also noted that certain conditions of use of chalk, like shaking and/or frequent use the draft and/or use chalk more than three hours a day, are significantly associated with an increased prevalence of wheeze, frequent respiratory infections, SFRS and hoarseness.

On the other hand, researchers observed that the prevalence of frequent respiratory infections and common symptoms of upper respiratory tract decreased significantly with age, even young people become to suffer these symptoms. Jan-Paul Zock, CREAL researcher and participant in this study, explains that “this was within we expected because allergies have been rising in recent decades, which is reflected in a higher prevalence of nasal symptoms in younger people”.

"The detection of an increased risk of hoarseness among teachers who use chalk for many hours makes us think that this symptom traditionally attributed almost exclusively to the frequent use of voice might have on the use of chalk an additional risk factor that should be studied,” adds Jan-Paul Zock.