Apricot sulfurization: an occupation that induces an asthma-like syndrome in agricultural environments.
BACKGROUND
Several cases of bronchial asthma have been presenting with acute attacks during the seasons of apricot sulfurization. The aim of this study was to reveal the effects of sulfur dioxide (SO(2)) exposure on the airways of the workers involved in this process.


METHODS
SO(2) levels in air were measured on 15 apricot farms, while the symptom scores of 69 workers were recorded before, during, and after SO(2) exposure. Physical examination and pulmonary function tests (PFT) of the workers were also done prior to and after exposure periods.


RESULTS
The measured SO(2) concentrations ranged between 106.6 and 721.0 ppm. Dyspnea (80%), cough (78%), and eye and nose irritation (83-70%) were the most commonly observed symptoms. The workers had significant decreases in pulmonary functions after SO(2) exposure. Decrements in FEV(1), FEV(1)/FVC%, and FEF(25-75%) showed that the acute effect of SO(2) on pulmonary functions of the workers was mostly of obstructive pattern.


CONCLUSIONS
Acute exposure to SO(2) induces "asthma-like syndrome" (ALS) in apricot sulfurization workers. SO(2) which has not been previously reported in agricultural environments as a cause of ALS may be considered as a new agent.
Koksal
Nurhan
N
Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Turgut Ozal Medical Center, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey.
Hasanoglu
Hatice Canan
HC
Gokirmak
Munire
M
Yildirim
Zeki
Z
Gultek
Ahmet
A
D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D027861:Prunus; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D013577:Syndrome
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide