Author:
Sajid Azza,Radhi Abdulrutha Abdulhamid,Al-Hashimi Ali H.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Workers who are exposed to chemical and physical elements at work on a regular or continuous basis are more likely to acquire various occupational diseases, particularly respiratory problems.
AIM: This observational study was carried out to determine the impact of exposure to specific industrial pollutants, such as petroleum products, on the pulmonary function tests of workers at a facility in Iraq’s south.
METHODS: The study involved two groups of people: Exposed workers (G1) and non-exposed workers (G2) (G2). Asthmatics, healthy smokers, and healthy nonsmokers were split into three subgroups. All individuals had their pulmonary function tests (PFTs) performed using a medical spirometer.
RESULTS: There were substantial decreases (p0.05) in PFTs of exposed workers, as well as a significant rise in estimated lung age. The effects of exposure were most noticeable in asthmatics and healthy smokers, while healthy nonsmokers were unaffected. In addition, the exposed group had a considerably higher percentage of obstructive and mixed respiratory illnesses.
CONCLUSION: Workplace exposure to some industrial compounds, such as petrochemical products, may impair PFTs, with the impairment being more pronounced in the presence of other risk factors such as smoking or asthma. Asthmatics and smokers should be cautioned against working in industrial settings for more than five years. In general, all workers should be aware of the risks of working at such a location for more than 5 years, and all workers should adhere to occupational safety regulations.
Publisher
Scientific Foundation SPIROSKI
Reference28 articles.
1. Nelson DI, Concha-Barrientos M, Driscoll T, Steenland K, Fingerhut M, Punnett L, et al. The global burden of selected occupational diseases and injury risks: Methodology and summary. Am J Ind Med. 2005;48(6):400-18. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.20211 PMid:16299700
2. Al-Jaddan S, Alkinany AJ. Impact of benzene exposure on lung functions of fuel stations workers in Basra City, Southren of Iraq. Int J Pharma Sci Health Care. 2017;2(7):31-6.
3. International Labour Organization. List of Occupational Diseases Recommendation; 2010. Available from: https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/safety-and-health-at-work/resources-library/publications/WCMS_125137/lang-en/index.htm%0Ahttp://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_protect/@protrav/@safework/documents/publication/wcms_125137.pdf
4. Townseand MC, Dreger M. Diagnosis of Occupational Asthma World Allergy Organization. Diagnosis of Occupational Asthma; 2015. Available from: https://www.worldallergy.org/education-and-programs/education/allergic-disease-resource-center/professionals/diagnosis-of-occupational-asthma
5. Evans SE, Scanlon PD, Culver BH. Pulmonary function testing. In: Clinical Respiratory Medicine. Netherlands: Elsevier Inc.; 2008. p. 147-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-032304825-5.10009-1