Increase of olfactory threshold in plating factory workers exposed to chromium in Korea.
To disclose the effects of chromium (Cr) on olfactory function, olfactory threshold tests were conducted on 27 male plating workers (Cr workers) with signs and symptoms of olfactory irritation but without nasal septum perforation or ulcer and on 34 male control subjects in Korean plating factories. The Cr workers had been exposed to Cr fume for 0.9 to 18.2 (mean 7.9) years; their blood Cr concentrations (0.16-3.69, mean 1.29 microg/dl) were significantly higher than those of the 34 control subjects (0.04-1.95, mean 0.55 microg/dl). Scores on recognition thresholds among the Cr workers were significantly higher than those of the control subjects (p < 0.05) and related positively and significantly to the exposure periods of the 27 Cr workers (p < 0.05). Olfactory thresholds were not significantly different between the Cr workers with and without nasal signs or symptoms, except that the scores on the recognition threshold were significantly higher in those experiencing difficulty with smell (p < 0.05). It is suggested that olfactory threshold is affected by Cr without development of nasal septum perforation or ulceration.
Kitamura
Fumihiko
F
National Institute of Industrial Health, 6-21-1 Nagao, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 214-8585, Japan.
Yokoyama
Kazuhito
K
Araki
Shunichi
S
Nishikitani
Mariko
M
Choi
Jae-Wook
JW
Yum
Youg-Tae
YT
Park
Hee-Chan
HC
Park
Sang-Hwoi
SH
Sato
Hajime
H
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002857:Chromium / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000473:pathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects*; D012903:Smell / Q000187:drug effects*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D002857:Chromium