Lung function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide among petroleum refinery workers.

Sultan Ayoub Meo,Mohammed Saud Aldosari,Nawaf Faleh Almudarra,Abdulrahman Hamad Alrashed,Yazeed Ibrahim Altheiban,Abdulrahman Abdulaziz Almana,Sulaiman Ali Alwabel

doi:10.1186/s12995-015-0080-7

Abstract

BackgroundOccupational and environmental exposure to petroleum refinery products poses a great threat to human health. This study aimed to assess the lung function and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) among petroleum refinery workers.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 112 participants (56 petroleum refinery workers with mean age 35.20 ± 1.62 years, and 56 age, weight, height, ethnicity and socioeconomically matched control subjects with mean age 30.02 ± 1.76 years) were recruited. A comprehensive clinical history and examination was conducted to decide whether to include in the study or not. Ventilatory lung function test parameters were recorded by using a Spirometer and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) was measured by Niox Mino.ResultsA significant decline in lung function parameters FEV1 (p = 0.0001), FEV1/FVC Ratio (p = 0.01), PEF (p = 0.0001), FEF 25 % (p = 0.0001), FEF-50 % (p = 0.012) was observed among oil refinery workers compared to their matched controls. However, there was no difference in the mean values of FeNO between the groups.ConclusionSubjects working in the petroleum refinery have significantly impaired lung functions. However, there was no change in the values of FENO between the groups. The lung function impairment pattern provide evidence in the favor of an obstructive lung disease.

Highlights

In Middle East, large number of petrochemical refineries are located mainly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain
There was a significant decrease in lung function parameters among oil refinery workers including FEV1 (p = 0.0001), FEV1/Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) Ratio (p = 0.013), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) (p = 0.0001), FEF 25 % (p = 0.0001), FEF-50 % (p = 0.012) compared to their age, height, weight, ethnicity and socioeconomic status matched control subjects (Table 1)
We found a significant decrease in lung function parameters including FEV1, PEF, FEV1/FVC %, Table 1 Comparison of anthropometric and lung function parameters between the oil refinery workers and control group

Summary

Introduction

In Middle East, large number of petrochemical refineries are located mainly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. These countries have added the most incremental petrochemical refinery capacity. Crude oil is a complex combination of many chemical compounds; composed mainly of para-phenol, aromatic hydrocarbons [1], benzene, chromium, mercury, nickel, nitrogen, oxygen, iron, sulfur, toluene and xylene [2]. Occupational and environmental exposure to petrochemical products pose threat to human health and have caused world-wide concerns. Occupational and environmental exposure to petroleum refinery products poses a great threat to human health. This study aimed to assess the lung function and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) among petroleum refinery workers

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Conclusion