Evaluation of Nasal Mucociliary Transport Rate by99mTc-Macroaggregated Albumin Rhinoscintigraphy in Woodworkers

Zeki Dostbil,Salih Bakır,Askeri Karakuş,Serdar Altındağ,Cahit Polat,İsmail Önder Uysal

doi:10.1155/2011/620482

Abstract

Woodworkers in the furniture industry are exposed to wood dust in their workplaces. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of occupational wood dust exposure on the nasal mucociliary transport rates (NMTRs) in woodworkers. Twenty five woodworkers and 30 healthy controls were included in this study. Wood dust concentration in workplaces was measured using the sampling device. 99m Tc-macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) rhinoscintigraphy was performed, and NMTR was calculated in all cases. In statistical analysis, an independent samples t-test was used to compare NMTR of woodworkers and control subjects. We found that the mean NMTR of the woodworkers was lower than that of the healthy controls. However, there was not a statistically significant difference between them (P = 0.066). In conclusion, our findings suggested that wood dust exposure may not impair nasal mucociliary transport rate in woodworkers employed in joinery workshops.

Highlights

The term “wood dust” refers to various airborne wood dusts created during the cutting and shaping of softwood, hardwood, hardboard, chipboard, and such other composite materials
We aimed to investigate the effect of occupational wood dust exposure on nasal nasal mucociliary transport rates (NMTRs) in woodworkers using 99mTc-MAA rhinoscintigraphy
Statistical analysis revealed that the mean NMTR value for woodworkers was not significantly lower than that of the healthy controls (P = 0.066)

Summary

Introduction

The term “wood dust” refers to various airborne wood dusts created during the cutting and shaping of softwood, hardwood, hardboard, chipboard, and such other composite materials. Its composition varies depending on the species of tree. Woodworkers in joinery workshops are exposed to wood dust during daily routine work. When workers are working with dust, they should wear protective masks to prevent respirable particle to be inhaled. There is usually a lack of protection against inhalable dust particles in the workrooms at industrial estate in Elazıgand Diyarbakır Province, Turkey. Studies on particle size have shown that highest large proportion of airborne wood dust can be trapped in the nasal passage [1, 2]. The EU Directive (1999/38) has classified hardwood dusts as carcinogenic and has set the occupational exposure limit for hardwood dust to 5 mg/m3 in workroom air [3]

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