Nasal mucociliary clearance in coal mine workers.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of coal dust particles on nasal mucociliary function in coal mine workers.


METHODS
Using the saccharin method, nasal mucociliary clearance was determined for 77 subjects, of which 39 who worked in a coal mine were actively exposed to coal dust whereas 38 were unexposed control subjects. The measurements were performed in the coal mine, at the level of 170 m below sea level.


RESULTS
The average saccharin nasal transit time in coal mine workers, 12.61 (SD: 4.30) minutes, is longer than that of the control subjects, 10.97 (SD: 3.22).


CONCLUSIONS
Although the findings of this study demonstrate that the coal particles affect the nasal mucociliary clearance, the difference in saccharin nasal transit time between the two groups (exposed vs unexposed) is not statistically significant (P = 0.063).
Cinar
Fikret
F
Karaelmas University, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kozlu-Zonguldak, Turkey. fikretcinar@yahoo.com
Beder
Levent
L
D000328:Adult; D003032:Coal Mining; D004391:Dust; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance / Q000187:drug effects*; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000378:metabolism*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012439:Saccharin / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D004391:Dust; D012439:Saccharin