A study of dynamic lung functions in textile workers

The current study was done to determine the normal ventilatory dynamic indices in healthy male textile workers and to observe the influence of exposure to cotton dust. Toshiniwal's Expirograph is used to record the Forced Vital Capacity tracing and from this tracing, other Forced Expiratory Volumes like FEVO.5, FEVO.75 and FEV1.0 are calculated. The data was statistically analysed and compared with the values reported by various other workers. It was observed that all functional parameters showed a decline with age, both in the control as well as the exposed group. The mean values in the exposed group were generally lower than the controls, and the difference was larger and statistically significant in the subjects of 40-49 year age-group, may be because they were exposed to cotton dust for a long duration.     

某纺织企业工人职业健康状况与工龄及学历的关系

目的对滨州市某纺织企业职工2012年的职业健康状况进行分析,为制定有效的防护措施提供依据。方法对494名接触粉尘作业职工进行职业健康体检,分析体检结果与工龄及学历的关系。结果本次共检出肺功能异常者58人,检出率11．74％;工龄≥21年组检出率最高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。本次体检共检出胸片异常者17人,检出率3．44％;工龄11～20年组检出率最高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。肺功能及胸片异常者均在学历初中及以下组检出率最高,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论职业健康与职工的工龄及学历存在一定的关系,企业应针对不同人群制定有针对性的防护措施。     

X线胸片异常与粉尘暴露、吸烟、工龄等因素的相关性研究

目的了解石材加工工人粉尘暴露、吸烟、工龄等因素对X线胸片异常的影响,为预防该行业相关疾病的发生提供参考依据。方法采用以医院放射科进行X线胸片检查的人员为基础的病例对照研究,病例组为胸片异常的396例病人,对照组为同期没有胸片异常的538例健康体检者。对石材加工所涉及工种的环境用滤膜称重法和滤膜溶解涂片法分别进行总粉尘浓度和粉尘分散度的测定。结果对照组和病例组粉尘暴露情况差异有显著性[X^2=22．32,P〈0．05,OR=5．17,95％CI为（2．44,10．91）];抽检的石材加工厂中各工种环境的总粉尘浓度和分散度均符合GBZ2-2002限值的要求。粉尘暴露对X线胸片有影响,危险度随粉尘暴露而增加。吸烟和工龄是胸片异常的危险因素（X^2=15．83,4．74;P〈0．05）;工种对X线胸片异常无显著影响。结论石材加工工人X线胸片异常与粉尘暴露、吸烟、工龄相关,与工种无关。     

石场接尘工人肺通气功能检查结果分析

目的 探讨石场接尘工人肺通气功能异常情况.方法 运用流行病学手段,对8间石场260例接尘工人进行肺功能测定(包括FVC、FEV1、MMF、V50、V75),并与246例无接尘正常工人做对照.结果 石场接尘工人肺通气功能显著低于对照组工人,肺通气功能异常有随着工龄增长而增加的趋势,并女工肺功能异常率高于男工.结论 石场接尘人工肺功能有损伤,并在接尘工龄、性别上有差异,因此,提倡加强职业防护,做好粉尘作业工人健康监护.     

Pulmonary reactions to inhaled cotton dust: An animal model for byssinosis

Groups of guinea pigs were exposed to respirable particles of cotton dust obtained from opening and carding rooms of a textile mill. The bulk cotton dust was resuspended with a modified sonic sifter. Exposures were conducted 6 hr/day at concentrations varying between 16 and 25 mg/m³. The particle size for these exposures varied around a 3 μm aerodynamic equivalent diameter. In animals exposed for 5 days, a pulmonary effect began to develop 3 hr after the start of exposure on the first day and was maximal 18 hr postexposure. The pulmonary effect faded during the ensuing weekdays as daily exposures continued. In one group exposed for 6 weeks, 5 days/week, the pulmonary effect was apparent on each Monday and faded during the week. The pulmonary response can best be characterized as a reflex restriction of breathing from stimulation of vagal nerve endings, resulting in rapid shallow breathing. This effect was exaggerated upon challenge of the animals with air containing 10% CO₂. In humans this pattern of rapid shallow breathing is associated with symptoms of shortness of breath, dyspnea, breathlessness, and fatigue upon exertion. Such symptoms are characteristic of those reported by workers exposed to cotton dust. This animal model is proposed for further evaluation of the possible relationship between the acute responses to cotton dust and the development of a chronic response.     

Serum protein concentrations and respiratory tract abnormalities following short-term exposure to amosite: a comparison between former asbestos workers and unexposed controls

A group of 176 former asbestos workers and 76 unexposed controls of similar age were evaluated and compared for concentrations of serum immunoglobulins, alpha 1-antitrypsin, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), pulmonary function, radiographic appearance of the lungs, rales, cellular atypia and ferruginous bodies in sputum, and smoking habits. Test subjects were evaluated as a single group and also according to years of exposure to asbestos. Both test and control populations were independently subjects to parametric and nonparametric correlation analyses. Partial correlations were also determined for both groups after controlling for age, race, sex and smoking habits. Analysis of variance was used to compare test and control groups. Smoking, particularly heavy smoking, was an important variable influencing abnormalities of the respiratory tract and CEA in former asbestos workers but not in controls. Except for immunoglobulin A (IgA), serum proteins, CEA, and alpha 1-antitrypsin were not significantly different between test and control subjects. Analysis of variance revealed significant increases between test and control groups for cellular atypia, X-ray abnormalities, rales, and pulmonary restriction. Partial correlation analysis of the asbestos-exposed group revealed important correlations between ferruginous bodies in sputum, rales, and radiographic appearance of the lungs.     

Amiodarone lung toxicity: role of pulmonary function tests

Forty-three patients treated with amiodarone hydrochloride with an average daily dose of 204.7 +/- 79.4 mg/day for a mean period of 37.1 +/- 25.3 months, were studied by clinical examination, chest roentgenograms, pulmonary function tests and blood gas analyses. The habits of cigarette smoking were also recorded and expressed as cigarette pack/years. Pulmonary function tests did not show any differences from control subjects and no correlation was found between exposure to drug and lung function. However, one patient developed abnormalities in the chest X-ray (interstitial type) and a reduction of carbon monoxide diffusion capacity as a possible manifestation of amiodarone lung toxicity. Nine patients (22%) had a 20% decrease from normal in carbon monoxide diffusion capacity and three (7%) had a 15% decrease in total lung capacity. More treated patients had interstitial abnormalities in the chest X-ray (14%) than controls (5.5%). Although pulmonary function test abnormalities could be detected in patients taking amiodarone, they were not usually severe enough to interfere with gas exchange. Our results confirm the rarity of amiodarone lung toxicity when a low dosage is used, and suggest the advisability of periodical monitoring, including clinical examination, chest X-ray and pulmonary function tests in order to detect the earliest signs of amiodarone lung toxicity.     

Peak expiratory flow rate in flour mill workers

The current cross-sectional study with a comparison group was undertaken to investigate peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in flour mill workers and to study relationship between reduction in PEFR and age, smoking, exposure to grain dust and respiratory morbidity. The study included 286 flour mill workers and equal number of neighbourhood controls group-matched for age. PEFR was measured by using Wright's Peak Flow Meter. PEFR was significantly reduced in flour mill workers as compared to comparison group. The decline in PEFR was significantly associated with grain dust exposure, duration of exposure, tobacco smoking and presence of respiratory morbidity.     

Radiological progression and lung function in silicosis: a ten year follow up study.

Chest radiographs and spirometric tests were performed on 81 patients who had silicosis from two granite quarries in 1975, 73 of whom were followed up for two to 10 (mean 7.2) years. Each patient's initial and most recent chest radiographs were assessed independently by three experienced readers, and the yearly declines in forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity were estimated from two to four (mean 3.45) serial spirometric readings. Estimates of individual dust exposure were based on extensive historical data on hygiene. All but 11 patients were no longer exposed to dust by the start of follow up, but 24 (45%) of 53 patients who had simple silicosis and 11 (55%) of 20 who had the complicated disease showed radiological evidence of disease progression. In patients who had simple silicosis and showed no radiological progression the yearly declines in forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity were modest (64 ml/year and 59 ml/year, respectively), whereas significantly greater declines in lung function were seen in those who showed radiological evidence of progression (97 ml/year and 95 ml/year, respectively). In addition to radiological progression the previous average dust concentration to which patients had been exposed also influenced declines in both forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity after allowing for the effects of age, smoking, duration of exposure, history of tuberculosis, initial state of disease, and baseline lung function. The probability of radiological progression was most strongly influenced by the average dust concentration previously exposed to. The progression of simple silicosis is thus accompanied by appreciable declines in lung function and is strongly affected by previous levels of exposure to dust.     

低浓度铅接触者生物效应指标变化规律探讨

本文对某蓄电池厂长期接触低浓度铅的249名作业工人的调查,表明车间空气中浓度与机体各项生物监测指标,铅吸收、铅中毒率间存在着剂量-效应关系,通过非参数统计分析证明在铅烟接触浓度〈0．10mg／m^3、铅尘接触浓度〈0．15mg／^3的情况下,各项生物指标浓度无显著性差异,当铅烟≥0．10mg／m^3、铅尘≥0．15mg／^3时,血铅、原卟啉二项指标出现有显著意义的差异,血铅及铅烟之间存在线形相关（r=0．4328）。建议将铅烟MAC（最高允许浓度）定为0．10mg／m^3,铅尘MAC定为0．15mg／m^3。     

Effects of Occupational Silica Exposure on OXIDATIVE Stress and Immune System Parameters in Ceramic Workers in TURKEY

ABSTRACT

Silica is the second most common element after oxygen, and therefore, exposures to crystalline silica dust occur in a large variety of occupations such as metal foundries, constructions, and ceramic, quarry, and pottery industries. Since crystalline silica exposure has been linked with silicosis, lung cancer, and other pulmonary diseases, adverse effect attributed to this element has be a cause for concern worldwide. Silica dust exposure in workers is still considered to be important health problem especially in developing countries. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of occupational silica exposure on oxidative stress parameters including the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and levels of total glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) as well as immune system parameters such as interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in Turkish ceramic workers. In this study, nearly 50% of Turkish ceramic workers were diagnosed with silicosis. Eighty-four percent of these silicotic workers were found to present with profusion category 1 silicosis, whereas controls (n = 81) all displayed normal chest radiographs. Data demonstrated a significant decrease in levels of GSH and activities of CAT, SOD, and GPx, but a significant increase in MDA levels and activity of GR in all workers. Further, workers possessed significantly higher levels of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α. These observations suggest that ceramic workers may have impaired antioxidant/oxidant status and activated immune system indicative of inflammatory responses.     

Peak expiratory flow rate in handloom weavers

The present cross-sectional study with a comparison group was carried out to investigate peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in handloom weavers and to study relationship between reduction in PEFR with age, smoking, duration of cotton dust exposure and respiratory morbidity. This study include 319 handloom weavers and equal number of individuals (group matched for age and pair matched for sex) in comparison group. The decline in PEFR was significantly associated with advancing age, longer duration of exposure to cotton dust, tobacco smoking and presence of respiratory morbidity on univariate analysis, whereas on multivariate analysis longer duration of exposure to cotton dust and tobacco smoking was found to be non significant.     

Serum neopterin in workers exposed to inorganic dust containing free crystalline silicon dioxide

The study was conducted among 92 male workers, divided into two groups depending on workplace and level of inorganic dust containing free crystalline SiO₂ in the work environment, and 43 healthy workers without exposure to dust aerosols. The measured inhalable and respirable dust concentrations, as well as the concentration of free crystalline silica (FCS) in the respirable fraction were different for the two groups, but the percentage of free crystalline silica in the respirable fraction was almost identical. Significantly higher neopterin levels were found in workers exposed to dust, compared to the control group: 12.72 nmol/L and 6.32 nmol/L respectively (p<0.05). No significant difference was found between serum neopterin levels in both groups of the exposed workers. Among the groups with different length of service, a statistically higher neopterin level was evident only in the workers with length of service less than 10 years (p<0.05). The correlation analysis did not find a significant dependence of neopterin levels on the age of the studied workers or on the duration of smoking in packet years. The difference between neopterin levels in smokers and non-smokers was nonsignificant. The results obtained show that increased neopterin levels in the exposed workers are not influenced by individual features, duration and level of exposure to inorganic dust, but mostly by the presence of FCS in the respirable fraction.     

Association of the NQO1, MPO, and XRCC1 polymorphisms and chromosome damage among workers at a petroleum refinery

Benzene is a leukemogen, and exposure to benzene is an occupational hazard in the petroleum refining industries. The effects of genetic polymorphisms in the NQO1 (rs1800566), MPO (rs2333227), and XRCC1 (rs25487) genes on benzene-induced chromosome abnormalities were assessed in 108 benzene-exposed workers and 33 office workers. The mean benzene exposure for exposed workers was 0.51 ppm for full-shift workers, and the time-weighted average ranged from 0.004 to 4.25 ppm. The frequencies of micronuclei (MN) and chromosome aberrations (CA) were significantly higher in workers exposed to benzene than unexposed controls. Exposed workers with the T/T genotype for NQO1 showed significant 1.9-fold (95% CI = 1.5-2.3) and 2.6-fold (95% CI = 1.7-3.9) increases in MN and CA frequencies, respectively, compared to controls with C/C and C/T genotypes, after adjusting for age, smoking status, and alcohol intake. Among exposed workers, subjects with the combination of MPO G/G and XRCC1 Arg/Gln or Gln/Gln showed a significantly higher CA frequency compared to those with the combination of MPO G/A or A/A and XRCC1 Arg/Arg genotypes. These results indicated that the genotoxicity induced by a chronic benzene exposure is modulated by genes involved in both DNA repair and benzene metabolic pathways.     

高岭土尘肺病的流行病学研究

目的 探讨高岭土粉尘危害程度和高岭土尘肺的发病特征.方法 随机选择茂名市5家高岭土加工企业和622例接尘工人进行高岭土尘肺横断面流行病学调查.结果 高岭土粉尘(总尘)短时间容许浓度(C-STEL)超标率2.53％,时间加权平均浓度(C-TWA)超标率1.90％.高岭土粉尘中游离二氧化硅(SiO2)含量平均1.25％.622例接尘工人中检出壹期高岭土尘肺9例,检出率1.45％.发病年龄平均47.43岁,发病接尘工龄平均13.91年,发病工种全部为高岭土包装工.高岭土尘肺患者多有咳嗽(66.67％)、咳痰(66.67％)和胸痛(33.33％)等症状.体征主要为干性啰音(33.33％)和呼吸音粗(22.22％).X射线胸片影像表现为圆形小阴影q影为主.肺通气功能损害占33.33％.劳动能力完全丧失或大部分丧失占33.33％.结论 高岭土粉尘对作业工人健康危害较大.高岭土尘肺以发病症状多、体征多、胸片上表现为q影为主、肺通气功能损害和劳动能力丧失明显为其特征.建议将高岭土尘肺列入国家职业病分类和目录中.     

Work related asthma in the textile industry

Nowadays, occupational asthma is the most common form of occupational lung disease in the world. In some countries the textile industry remains an important source of potential agents causing occupational asthma. In the textile industry several agents such as cotton dust and dyes may cause occupational asthma. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, pathogenesis/mechanisms, clinical presentations, management and prevention specific to occupational asthma in the textile industry.Work-related asthma risk is considerable. Current understanding of the mechanisms by which many textile agents cause occupational asthma is limited, especially for low molecular-weight sensitizers and irritants. The diagnosis is generally established on the basis of a suggestive history of a temporal association between exposure and the onset of symptoms and objective evidence that these symptoms are related to airflow limitation. Early diagnosis, elimination or reduction of exposure to the offending agent and early use of convenient therapy according to disease severity may play an important role in the prevention of long-term persistence of asthma. Its prevention in the textile industry should be both technical and medical. It depends on the difficulties to reduce dust level, the limits in arranging work station or in occupational rehabilitation. These difficulties are increased in small textile industry companies. Persistent occupational asthma in this sector is often associated with substantial disability and consequent impacts on income and quality of life. Prevention of new cases is the best approach to reduce the burden of asthma attributable to occupational exposures. This review also outlines different patents on the diagnosis and treatment of asthma.     

Pulmonary function studies in 15 to 18 years age workers exposed to dust in industry.

Pulmonary function tests (VC, FEV1% and FEF25-75%) were evaluated in 15 to 18 years age workers employed in slate pencil industry exposed to silica dust, in wool carpet industry exposed to wool dust and in diamond cutting and polishing exposed to carbon dust. These values were compared with the values obtained in clinically healthy non-smokers of the same age group. The results revealed significant impairment of VC in diamond workers, and FEF25-75% in slate pencil workers. When the values were observed according to smoking habits in diamond workers, VC, FEV1 and FEF25-75% were all significantly reduced in smokers whereas in non-smokers only VC was lowered significantly. Among slate pencil workers FEF25-75% was significantly reduced in both smokers and non-smokers. Wool dust exposed workers showed reduced values than normal subjects. The detailed results including the prevalence of various pulmonary impairments were presented.     

Pulmonary functions in plastic factory workers: a preliminary study

Exposure to long term air pollution in the work environment may result in decreased lung functions and various other health problems. A significant occupational hazard to lung functions is experienced by plastic factory workers. The present study is planned to assess the pulmonary functions of workers in the plastic factory where recycling of pastic material was done. These workers were constantly exposed to fumes of various chemicals throughout the day. Thirty one workers of plastic factory were assessed for their pulmonary functions. Parameters were compared with 31 age and sex matched controls not exposed to the same environment. The pulmonary function tests were done using Sibelmed Datospir 120 B portable spirometer. A significant decrease in most of the flow rates (MEF 25%, MEF 50%, MEF 75% and FEF 25-75%) and most of the lung volumes and capacities (FVC, FEV1, VC, TV, ERV, MVV) were observed in the workers. Smoking and duration of exposure were not affecting the lung functions as the non smokers also showed a similar decrement in pulmonary functions. Similarly the workers working for less than 5 years also had decrement in pulmonary functions indicating that their lungs are being affected even if they have worked for one year. Exposure to the organic dust in the work environment should be controlled by adequate engineering measures, complemented by effective personal respiratory protection.     

Ischemic Tolerance of the Heart by Adaptation to Chronic Hypoxia is Suppressed by High Subchronic Carbon Monoxide Exposure

The authors have previously demonstrated that apricot sulfurization workers develop asthma-like syndrome during apricot sulfurization due to exposure to sulfur dioxide (SO₂) gas. The aim of the current study was to demonstrate if exposure to SO₂ gas had any chronic effects on pulmonary functions and bronchial reactivity of the workers. Twenty-five apricot sulfurization workers and a control group were included in the study. Physical examination, skin prick tests, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and bronchoprovocation tests (BPTs) were performed before and after the season of sulfurization in the worker group. Skin prick tests, PFTs, and BPTs were performed also in the control group without a history of exposure to SO₂ gas. There was no statistically significant difference between PFT and BPT results of the workers and the control group. Comparison of the PFT results of the workers before and after the season of apricot sulfurization neither reveal a significant difference. Four (16%) out of 25 workers were positive for BPTs before the period. Only one worker who had a negative BPT result before the sulfurization season was positive afterwards. The lack of a chronic effect on pulmonary functions is consistent with the diagnosis of asthma-like syndrome in apricot sulfurization workers.     

Evaluating the genotoxic effects of workers exposed to lead using micronucleus assay, comet assay and TCR gene mutation test

To evaluate the genotoxic effects of lead (Pb) exposure, 25 workers in a workplace producing storage battery were monitored for three genetic end-points using micronucleus (MN) assay, comet assay and TCR gene mutation test. Twenty-five controls were matched with workers according to age, gender and smoking. The air Pb concentration in the workplace was 1.26 mg/m(3). All subjects were measured for Pb concentration of blood by atom absorption spectrophotometry. The mean Pb concentration of blood in workers (0.32 mg/l) was significantly higher than that in controls (0.02 mg/l). The results of MN test showed that the mean micronuclei rate (MNR) and mean micronucleated cells rate (MCR) in workers were 9.04+/-1.51 per thousand and 7.76+/-1.23 per thousand, respectively, which were significantly higher than those (2.36+/-0.42 per thousand and 1.92+/-0.31 per thousand) in controls (P<0.01). It was found in the comet assay that the mean tail length (MTL) of 25 workers and 25 controls were 2.42+/-0.09 and 1.02+/-0.08 microm, respectively, there was significant difference between workers and controls for MTL (P<0.01), also the difference of the mean tail moment (MTM) between workers (0.85+/-0.05) and controls (0.30+/-0.09) was very significant (P<0.01). However, in TCR gene mutation assay Mfs-TCR of workers and controls were 1.69+/-0.15 x 10(-4) and 1.74+/-0.17 x 10(-4), respectively, there was no significant difference between workers and controls (P>0.05). The results of our study indicated that the genetic damage was detectable in 25 workers occupationally exposed to lead.