Pulmonary Function Of Workers Research Articles

Nano-Calcium Carbonate Affect the Respiratory and Function Through Inducing Oxidative Stress: A Cross-sectional Study Among Occupational Exposure of Workers and a Further Research for Underlying Mechanisms.

The aim of the study is to investigate whether nano-calcium carbonate (nano-CaCO 3 ) occupational exposure could induce adverse health effects in workers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a nano-CaCO 3 manufacturing plant in China. Then, we have studied the dynamic distribution of nano-CaCO 3 in nude mice and examined the oxidative damage biomarkers of subchronic administrated nano-CaCO 3 on Sprague-Dawley rats. The forced vital capacity (%) and the ratio of FEV1 to FVC is the rate of one second of workers were significantly decreased than unexposed individuals. Dynamic imaging in mice of fluorescence labeled nano-CaCO 3 showed relatively high uptake and slow washout in lung. Similar to population data, the decline in serum glutathione level and elevation in serum MDA were observed in nano-CaCO 3 -infected Sprague-Dawley rats. We found that nano-CaCO 3 exposure may result in the poor pulmonary function in workers and lead to the changes of oxidative stress indexes.

Impact of Air Pollution Generated by Brick Kilns on the Pulmonary Health of Workers.

Background.Brick kiln workers are often not aware of the health effects of their working environment and health-related respiratory problems. There have been few studies on the relationship between brick kiln pollution and its health impact on brick kiln workers.Objectives.The present study measured the association of brick kiln contamination with severe respiratory problems and lung function among brick kiln workers in the Kasur district, Pakistan.Methods.Air quality variables (PM2.5, PM10, sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)) were monitored during operations in brick kiln modulation and kiln areas. Workers (n=60) were selected for participation if they were between the ages of 18 and 60 and had been working in brick kilns for at least one year and gave consent to participate. Their lung function was measured.Results.The average concentrations of measured air quality variables for all working sites were found to exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) and National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) guidelines. These high values of brick kiln pollutants were associated with a significant decrease in spirometric values (forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and average flow between 25% and 75% of the FVC (FEF2575)) among workers and revealed that 78.33% of workers had abnormal lung function with 5% obstructive and 95% restrictive impairments. Occurrences of pulmonary problems like frequent cough (50%), chronic cough (11.67%), frequent phlegm (21.67%), chronic phlegm (11.67%), frequent wheezing (20%), chronic wheezing (15%), shortness of breath grade-I & grade-II (38.33%) and self-reported asthma (3.33%) were also found among the workers.Conclusions.Pollution from brick kiln operations was significantly high and associated with respiratory problems as well as a decrease in lung function. There was a clear correlation between pulmonary function in workers with brick kiln contamination.Participant Consent.ObtainedEthics Approval.This study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of the Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan (Ref.1443-UZ).Competing Interests.The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Function of Workers in the Waste Management Industry.

Introduction: Waste handling workers are exposed to air pollutants and toxic compounds produced during waste management and processing that can cause respiratory symptoms and lung function impairment. This study aimed to evaluate the respiratory health of exposed workers in a waste management plant in Attica, Greece.Methods: 50 field workers exposed to outdoor pollutants (exposure group) and 32 office clerks with no exposure (control group) were evaluated. Upper and lower respiratory symptoms were documented and spirometry was performed.Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the exposure and the control group in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)%, forced vital capacity (FVC)%, FEV1/FVC% predicted values. Workers had lower maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF)% predicted values compared to controls (82% vs 94%, p=0.019). No difference was observed regarding the respiratory symptoms between the two groups.Conclusion: Lower MMEF values were observed in the exposure group. Low MMEF can be indicative of small airway disease, thus smoking cessation, close follow-up, and the use of personal protective equipment are recommended.

Relationship between metabolic syndrome and pulmonary function in workers with respiratory dust exposure in Iran

Aimswe designed a study to investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and lung function in workers with dust exposure based on five years of longitudinal study data. MethodsIn this historical cohort study that conducted in iron ore mine, non-smoker male workers who exposed to dust, were enrolled. MetS was determined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. New spirometry parameters and spirometry from 5 years ago, were compared. ResultsIn this study 192 workers were identified without MetS and 77 with MetS. The mean of all lung parameters was lower in subjects with MetS, but it was not statistically significant. The median decline in FEV1 and FVC in 5 years was greater in subjects with MetS but were only significant for a decline in FEV1 (P-Value = 0.04). Linear regression analysis showed a significant relationship between a decline in FEV1 and waist circumference (P-Value = 0.001) when adjusted for age, BMI, physical activity level. ConclusionIn this study, a significant association between mean decline in FEV1 in 5 years and MetS in dust-exposed workers was demonstrated. Decline in FEV1 in 5 years was significantly associated with a Waist circumference as one of the components of MetS.

Internal Factors Related to Pulmonary Function Status of Workers at UD X

Introduction: The processing of marble stone produces air pollution in the form of dust. Dust emission is generated from cutting, scraping, and polishing processes. The type of dust emission is Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5). The dust level and exposure period can cause lung problems and respiratory complaints. The study aims to determine the factors related to the pulmonary function’s status of workers at UD X, Campurdarat Sub-district, Tulungagung District. Metods: This research used cross-sectional research design and quantitative approach. The sample of this study was 32 people consisting of 26 workers exposed to dust and 7 workers unexposed to dust. The independent variables include were gender, age, working period, education level, smoking habit, and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Results: In general, the pulmonary function of workers at UD X was quite good. Conlusion: The smoking habit and the use of PPE had a relationship with the pulmonary function of workers at UD X, Campurdarat Sub-district, Tulungagung District. Keywords: internal factor of worker, pulmonary function, workers

Comparative Study on Changes in Spirometric Lung Function Indices of Cobblestone Workers

Cobblestone workers exposed to dust inhalation and physical injuries during cobblestone work activities exposed to respiratory problems due to proliferation and fibrotic alteration changing in their spiro metric lung function indices. This study was designed to determine changes in spirometric lung function indices of cobblestone workers. Comparative cross-sectional study was applied. Cobblestone workers exposed for one and above years and proportional non exposed non-smoking normal study participants with similar age range and anthropometric values were participated. The study showed higher change in Spiro metric lung function indices. Mean values and percent predicted mean values of lung functions (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR, PIFR and FEF25-75) were significantly reduced (p<0.05). Reduction in spirometric values was more marked in chiseling workers. Thus, dust emission during cobblestone preparation adversely affects pulmonary function of workers. Further studies should be conducted on many workers to make standing decisions and regulations. Workers should be trained and appropriate PPEs should be provided. Guideline has to be developed to provide guidance on how to assess and reduce health impacts of dust emissions.

KOREKSI TERHADAP PENGUKURAN POLUTAN DI UDARA DAN DAMPAKNYA TERHADAP KESEHATAN

Abstract Understanding the reaction of various pollutants in the air until today continues to grow, even hardly find information about the results of the reaction of various air pollutants standard. The aim of research to analyze and correction of the measurement of various air pollutants as well as the impact on health of blacksmith. The case study done on 38 blacksmith and 38 working units in Hulu Sungai Selatan South Kalimantan with observational analytic approach along with sampling of air pollutants and blood sampling as well as examination of pulmonary function of workers. The results showed a decrease in lung function and abnormalization workers immune response, as a result of exposure to various air pollutants, so it is very difficult to determine and predict because it is caused by pollutants singly or may be caused from the various reactions of these pollutants, for that, the correction need on the measurement and analysis of air pollutants that made so far, including its impact on the human body. The benefits of this research as a form of correction to use the Threshold Limit Value (TLV) and measuring air pollutants, including the impact of the target organ in the human body. Keywords : Measurements correction, pollutants, lung function, immune response

Occupational Health Surveillance: Pulmonary Function Test in Proppant Exposures

Workers involved in hydraulic fracking processes are exposed to various types of chemicals and dusts in their workplaces, such as proppants, which hold open the fissures created in the fracking process. Recently, ceramic proppants have been developed that may be less hazardous to workers than traditional proppants. Pulmonary function testing of workers producing ceramic proppant was used to assess the potential inhalation hazards of ceramic proppant. 100 male workers from a producer of ceramic proppant were evaluated with pulmonary function test data collected and evaluated using The American Thoracic Society (ATS) acceptability criteria. A comparison group was selected from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) spirometry laboratory subset. No pulmonary function deficits were found in the worker group in comparison to the NHANES III population. Mean FEV1 and FVC values in workers were 3.8 and 4.8 liters respectively, and were greater as compared to the NHANES III population of similar demographics. An FEV1/FVC ratio of less than 0.8, when compared to the NHANES III group, produced an odds ratio of 0.44 in worker group, indicating less risk of preclinical pulmonary dysfunction. Overall, exposure to ceramic proppant was not found to produce an adverse impact on pulmonary function in workers engaged in the manufacture of ceramic proppant.

To explore the electric-welding fumes monitoring results and the pulmonary function of workers in Yangzhou city

目的 监测电焊作业场所粉尘及电焊工健康状况,为针对性干预措施提供依据.方法 对整群随机抽取909名电焊工人进行职业健康体检,同时检测以上工人所在的4家企业84个岗位工作场所电焊烟尘浓度,分析其对工人肺部损伤的影响.结果 作业场所电焊烟尘检测合格率为54.8％,X线胸片异常者31人,异常率为3.4％,主要表现为肺纹理增多增粗或紊乱及肺部小阴影.肺功能异常118人,异常率为13.0％,主要表现为用力肺活量(FVC)异常(86人),1秒钟用力呼气容积(FEV1.0)异常(84人).不同工龄组FVC、FEV1.0、FEV1.0/FVC的差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),工龄＜10年组的X线异常率低于10～年和20～年工龄组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 工作场所电焊烟尘浓度超标现象较突出,随着工龄增长,电焊工X线胸片异常率增高,应当加强对肺部异常人群的观察,预防电焊工尘肺的发生。

Annual Changes of Lung Function in Retired Workers Exposed to Inorganic Dusts

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate annual changes in pulmonary function in workers who were exposed to inorganic dust. Methods: The subjects were 2,922 male patients who had been diagnosed with pneumoconiosis more than twice during 6 years from 2005 to 2010. Results: Of the 2,922 cases, forced vital capacity (FVC) decreased by 54 mL in 1 year. In contrast, the annual change of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) decreased by 56 mL. Conclusion: This is the first study that has investigated the annual change in pulmonary function in workers exposed to inorganic dust. The results will help estimate the pulmonary condition of patients who are unable to perform a pulmonary function test due to age or a disorder.

Pulmonary function in workers exposed to tobacco dust

Exposure to vegetable dusts is probable in many industrial and agricultural industries. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between exposure to tobacco dusts and lung capacities and airflows. Two hundred thirty-one individuals who were exposed to tobacco dusts in a cigarette-manufacturing company were included in the study. One hundred individuals who were working in the same area but in other industries and were not exposed to harmful dusts were also selected as controls. Spirometry with American Thoracic Society (ATS) standards was performed for both groups. Spirometry results were compared between the two groups using SPSS software by 't' test. The mean age of the exposed and unexposed groups was 36 +/- 7 and 35 +/- 7 years, respectively. Spirometry results showed that lung capacities and airflows in the exposed group were significantly less than those of controls (P< 0.001). Considering relative variation, the highest reduction was seen in peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory flow (FEF25%) and peak inspiratory flow (PIF). The results of this study show that exposure to tobacco dust would decrease lung capacities and airflows during the years.

Pulmonary function of workers exposed to ammonia: a study in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

To determine the effect of chronic exposure to ammonia on pulmonary function among ammonia workers, 77 workers were randomly selected from an ammonia factory in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and 355 were selected as controls from the administrative staffs of four industrial groups in Eastern Province. Spirometry was carried out and FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC% were calculated. The ammonia level in the working environment was determined spectrophotometrically. 30% of the air samples had ammonia concentrations that exceeded the threshold limit value. Significant reductions in FEV1 % predicted and FVC % predicted were observed in ammonia workers exposed to higher cumulative ammonia levels (above 50 mg/m3-years). FEV1% predicted and FEV1/FVC% were significantly lower in symptomatic than in asymptomatic workers in the exposed group. These findings may raise the possibility that exposure to a high cumulative ammonia level produces a combined restrictive/obstructive ventilatory defect.

Evaluation of pulmonary function in workers exposed to hexamethylene diisocyanate.

Production of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) biuret and trimer from HDI monomer was started in 1988 at the plant under study. Pulmonary function tests were included as part of the annual evaluation of the workers in that unit. HDI is expected to have toxic properties similar to those of toluene diisocyanate. The latter has caused accelerated declines in pulmonary function in exposed workers. In 1991, an initial longitudinal evaluation of those pulmonary function tests was performed, comparing annual declines in forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether or not exposures to HDI at the unit had caused any accelerated decline in FVC or FEV1. No significant differences were seen in that evaluation, but it was decided that the study be continued in a prospective fashion. The study has been continued through 1997. The slope of the annual change in FVC and FEV1 were calculated for a group of workers and a matched control group. The average annual decline in FVC for the exposed group (cases) was 0.026 L, compared with 0.025 L for the control group. For the decline in FEV1, the results were 0.044 L, compared with 0.041 L (P = 0.79). These results are virtually identical and support a conclusion that exposures within this unit to HDI have not caused an accelerated decline in FVC or FEV1. Exposures to HDI were measured during this period. The time-weighted average exposure to HDI during work not requiring respiratory protection in the unit (approximately 2 hours per day) was 0.5 parts per billion. The average daily high peak exposure was 2.9 parts per billion. Exposure to these levels appear to pose no risk of accelerated decline in pulmonary function.

Pulmonary function of workers in the aluminum industry

The effects of aluminum on the pulmonary function of aluminum workers were investigated in this study. Serum aluminum levels and spirometry were measured in 55 male workers and 30 male controls. The mean serum aluminum level of workers (72.7 +/- 9.9 ng/ml) was significantly high compared to that of controls, indicating aluminum toxicity. Spirometric parameters were significantly lower in workers than in controls and correlated negatively with both exposure time and serum aluminum levels. The impairment in pulmonary function may be due to exposure time and insufficient protection.

Clinical Process and Pulmonary Function of Workers Exposed to Dusts in Manufacturing Industries: Potential Biomarkers of Pneumoconiosis

Clinical Process and Pulmonary Function of Workers Exposed to Dusts in Manufacturing Industries: Potential Biomarkers of Pneumoconiosis

A cross-sectional study of pulmonary function in autobody repair workers.

This study evaluated pulmonary function in workers from 39 autobody repair shops. Based on 152 White male workers with known smoking status, the mean percent predicted FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC were 93.6, 96.8, and 96.6, respectively. Twenty-three percent of workers had a FEV1/FVC ratio less than the fifth percentile. Isocyanate levels ranged from nondetectable to 0.06 parts per million (STEL = 0.02 ppm). No shop had an adequate respiratory protection program. We concluded that there was an increase in abnormal pulmonary function in autobody workers. Three recommendations were made to shop owners: functional paint booths should be maintained, respiratory protection programs should be developed, and isocyanate-free paints should be used.

Pulmonary function in workers exposed to diesel exhausts: The effect of control measures

To assess the protective effect of exhausts pipe filters or respirators on pulmonary function, 15 workers in a tunnel construction site, truck and loading machine drivers, rock workers, and others were studied. The total and respirable dust, combustible matter in respirable dust, carbon monoxide, nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide were measured for each subject during entire work shifts. The effect of the exposure on the lung function variables was measured by dynamic spirometry, carbon monoxide single breath technique, and nitrogen single breath wash-out. The exhaust pipe filtering had a protective effect, directly discernible in the drivers on vital capacity and FEV1.0 and for the whole group on FEV% and TLco. The dust respirators had no effect, probably because of the difficulties in correctly using personal protection under the circumstances in the tunnel. In the absence of a true exposure assessment, control measures for diesel exhausts can be tested by medical effect studies. Catalytic particle filters of diesel exhausts are one method of rendering the emissions less irritant, although they will not remove irritant gases. An indicator of diesel exhaust exposure should include the particle fraction of the diesel exhausts, but a discrimination between different sources of organic dust must be possible.

Two-year observation of pulmonary function in workers exposed to low concentrations of toluene diisocyanate.

Pulmonary effects were investigated in 106 toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-exposed workers and 39 referents in 64 exposed workers and 21 referents on the 2-year follow-up study in 1982. Means of individual, time-weighted average (TWA) exposure concentrations measured by personal monitors were approximately 0.001 ppm in each year. Short-term exposure at 0.02 ppm or over was observed in 9.3% of the collected samples in 1980 and 1.9% in 1982. Pulmonary function was assessed by measurements of maximum expiratory flow-volume curve and respiratory impedance. No differences were observed in the means of the pulmonary functions and their individual daily changes between the TDI workers and the referents. Significant intra-individual, two-year decreases were observed in some pulmonary function parameters in both groups, but when the effect of aging was adjusted, the decreases disappeared. Prevalences of respiratory symptoms in the TDI workers were not significantly higher than those in the referents, except for irritating complaints of the eyes and throat probably due to peak exposure to TDI and/or co-existing irritants. Eight of the TDI workers had episodes of acute asthmatic reactions shortly after having begun their TDI jobs and most parameters in their maximum expiratory flow were significantly less than the predicted values, though exposure concentrations when the episodes occurred could not be defined. From these results, it was suggested that TDI exposure at the levels of 0.001 ppm may not induce adverse pulmonary effects when the workers are not hypersusceptive to TDI.

Pulmonary function in workers inhaling iron oxide dust.

Lung function studies (static lung volumes, FEV1.0, transfer factor, blood oxygen tension) in fourteen workers (mean age 43 years) exposed (average length 10 years) to pure iron oxide dust did not reveal abnormalities compatible with pulmonary fibrosis, although nodular opacities were present in the chest radiographs. The results seem to support the opinion that pure iron oxide is not fibrogenic in the lung.

Pulmonary function in workers with chronic exposure to cadmium oxide fumes

Detailed pulmonary function studies were carried out on 11 workers of middle age, who had been exposed for 7 to 11 years to moderate concentrations of cadmium oxide. Minor abnormalities of lung volumes, intrapulmonary mixing and lung compliance were found in a few cases; no airway obstruction was present. The lung diffusing capacity and the blood gases were normal. The chest roentgenogram showed a normal vascular pattern at the periphery of the lung. It is concluded that emphysema was absent in the group studied.