Pulmonary function in workers exposed to tobacco dust.
BACKGROUND
Exposure to vegetable dusts is probable in many industrial and agricultural industries.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between exposure to tobacco dusts and lung capacities and airflows.


METHODS
Two hundred thirty-one individuals who were exposed to tobacco dusts in a cigarette-manufacturing company were included in the study. One hundred individuals who were working in the same area but in other industries and were not exposed to harmful dusts were also selected as controls. Spirometry with American Thoracic Society (ATS) standards was performed for both groups.


METHODS
Spirometry results were compared between the two groups using SPSS software by 't' test.


RESULTS
The mean age of the exposed and unexposed groups was 36 +/- 7 and 35 +/- 7 years, respectively. Spirometry results showed that lung capacities and airflows in the exposed group were significantly less than those of controls (P< 0.001). Considering relative variation, the highest reduction was seen in peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory flow (FEF25%) and peak inspiratory flow (PIF).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study show that exposure to tobacco dust would decrease lung capacities and airflows during the years.
Etemadinejad
Siavash
S
Department of Occupational Health, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
Mohammadian
Mahmoud
M
Alizadeh-Larimi
Ahmad
A
Mohammadpour
Reza-Ali
RA
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D013147:Spirometry; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000633:toxicity*; D014109:Total Lung Capacity
D004391:Dust