title: The effect of exposure to chlorine on pulmonary function tests and respiratory and allergic symptoms in Iranian lifeguards.
abstract: Lifeguards are frequently exposed to various irritant chemicals including chlorine during work, which can induce respiratory and allergic disorders. In this study, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and self-reported respiratory and allergic symptoms in lifeguards were compared with matched control subjects. The frequency of respiratory and allergic symptoms was evaluated in a sample of 38 Iranian male lifeguards and 38 control subjects with similar age, having other jobs from the general population, using a questionnaire including questions on work-related respiratory and allergic symptoms in the past year, smoking habits, and duration of working as a lifeguard. PFTs were also measured in lifeguard subjects before and 15 min after 200 µg inhaled salbutamol and baseline PFT in controls. A total of 22 (55%) participants reported work-related respiratory symptoms. Sputum (39.4%) and cough (18.4%) were the most common symptoms and only 7.9% and 15.8% of lifeguards reported wheezing and shortness of breath, respectively. Both sputum and breathlessness were significantly higher in lifeguards than control group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.005, respectively). Most allergic symptoms (sneezing and runny nose) in lifeguards were also significantly greater than control group (p < 0.05 for both cases). In addition, all respiratory (except sputum and wheezing) and allergic symptoms were significantly higher in lifeguards during work compared with rest period (p < 0.05 to p < 0.005). Most PFT values were also significantly lower in lifeguards than control subjects (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). In addition, most (all) PFT values were significantly improved after 200 µg inhaled salbutamol (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). These results showed that lifeguards have higher frequencies of work related respiratory symptoms and allergic symptoms particularly during the work period. PFT values were also significantly reduced among lifeguards.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Physiology and Pharmaceutical Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS), Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Boskabady
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esmaeilizadeh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boskabady
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002713:Chlorine / Q000506:poisoning*; D003371:Cough / Q000139:chemically induced; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013551:Swimming Pools; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002713:Chlorine