title: Occupational exposure to petroleum products and respiratory health: a cross-sectional study from Algeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the possible impact of long-term occupational exposure to hydrocarbons on respiratory health.
  
  
  METHODS
  Respiratory health was assessed by questionnaires, spirometry, and exhaled nitric oxide in 250 male workers from a company handling and distributing refined petroleum products (exposed) and 250 electricians (controls). Exposure to hydrocarbons was assessed by personal air monitoring.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aerial exposure to hydrocarbons was low. Respiratory and nasal symptoms were significantly more frequent among exposed subjects than among controls. Although forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 second did not differ, ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity and maximal expiratory flows were significantly lower in exposed than in control subjects, adjusting for smoking. Exhaled nitric oxide was significantly higher among exposed subjects (30.1 ppb) than among controls (21.6 ppb), adjusting for age and smoking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even low exposure to petroleum-derived hydrocarbons is associated with more respiratory and nasal symptoms, lower pulmonary function, and airway inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Medical Toxicology Toximed, Faculty of Medicine, University Abou Bekr, Tlemcen, Algeria.
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sekkal
authors.forename: Nahida
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Haddam
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Scheers
authors.forename: Katrien L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Poels
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bouhacina
authors.forename: Tim S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Nawrot
authors.forename: Hendrik A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Veulemans
authors.forename: Abdesselam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taleb
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nemery
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000462:Algeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D001944:Breath Tests; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019652:Extraction and Processing Industry; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008448:Maximal Expiratory Flow Rate; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010578:Petroleum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014797:Vital Capacity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006838:Hydrocarbons; D010578:Petroleum; D009569:Nitric Oxide