title: Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function testes in lead exposed workers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The exposure to noxious agwents such as lead my cause lung disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, pulmonary function tests and self-reported respiratory symptoms in lead exposure workers were compared with matched control subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  The frequency of respiratory symptoms were evaluated in a sample of 108 lead exposure workers and 100 control subjects with similar age using a questionnaire including questions on respiratory symptoms in the past year. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) were also measured in lead exposure workers and in controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most lead exposure workers (63%) reported work-related respiratory symptoms. Chest tightness (26%), cough (17%) and sputum (16%) were the most common symptoms and only 6% of lead exposure workers reported wheezing (P < 0.001 for all case except wheezing). Most PFT values were also significantly reduced among lead exposure workers (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001 except MEF75, MEF50, MEF25, and MMEF. The lead concentration in urine and serum of lead exposure workers were significantly higher than control (P < 0.001 for both cases).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results showed that c lead exposure workers have higher frequencies of respiratory symptoms higher serum and urine lead concentration but lower PFT values.
authors: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine and pharmaceutical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors: Mohammad Reza
authors: MR
authors: Khazdair
authors: Mohammad Hossein
authors: MH
authors: Boskabady
authors: Reza
authors: R
authors: Afshari
authors: Bita
authors: B
authors: Dadpour
authors: Amir
authors: A
authors: Behforouz
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Javidi
authors: Abbasali
authors: A
authors: Abbasnezhad
authors: Valiallah
authors: V
authors: Moradi
authors: Seyed Saleh
authors: SS
authors: Tabatabaie
keywords: Lead; Respiratory Function Tests; Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory
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