Evidence for obstructive and restrictive lung pathology among tetra-ethyl lead handlers and petrol tanker fillers at a petrochemical industry in Nigeria.
Described here is a computer predicted and computer measured pulmonary function in a randomly selected population sample of 111 men. These consisted of 36 primary school teachers (control), 35 Tetra-ethyl Lead handlers (TEL) and 40 Tanker Loaders (TL) at a petrochemical industry in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. Productive cough and headache were commoner among the TL (45%, 38%) and the TEL handlers (43%, 31%). TEL handlers were 5 times likely to develop insomnia and other sleep disturbances than the control group. TL were more than 3 1/2 times more likely to develop nervousness than the control group. Measured FEF25-75% was significantly lower than its predicted value among the TEL handlers (56%) and TL (55%) when compared with the control group (36%) (P < 0.05 respectively). Although there were distinct reductions in the measured values of FEF75-85% among the TEL handlers (41%) and the TL (40%) compared to the control group (28%), this difference did not reach a level of significance when the TEL or the TL were compared individually to the control group. Predicted and measured forced mid expiratory flow time (FMFT) was not significantly varied among the cases and the control. There was statistically significant disparities (P < 0.005) in the values of predicted and measured maximum voluntary ventilation (litres) of the TEL handlers (47%) and of the TL (46%) compared with that of the control group (29%). The data suggest obstruction of the big and small airways of those occupationally exposed at a petrochemical factory in Nigeria especially the tetra-ethyl lead handlers and the tanker loaders. This data also suggests that pulmonary impairment may lead to an increased respiratory absorption of lead in its organic form. Efforts should be made to ascertain the degree of impairment and to treat the affected workers.
Afolabi
B M
BM
Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.
Akintonwa
A
A
Ekanem
E E
EE
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008450:Maximal Midexpiratory Flow Rate; D008451:Maximal Voluntary Ventilation; D009549:Nigeria; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D010578:Petroleum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013756:Tetraethyl Lead / Q000009:adverse effects*
D010578:Petroleum; D013756:Tetraethyl Lead