title: Frequency of respiratory function disorders among dental laboratory technicians working under conditions of high dust concentration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dental laboratory technicians (DLTs) have much exposure to mineralogical dust that may have adverse effects on their lung health. The aim of our study was to investigate occupational dust exposure, and to determine the frequency of respiratory function disorders and radiologic abnormalities among DLTs.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study enrolled 94 DLTs who were exposed to dust in dental laboratories and 94 control subjects. Dust concentrations in the workplaces were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of DLTs was 30.70 ± 9.84 years. No significant difference was found between the DLTs and the control groups for age or smoking status (p > 0.05). Spirometric values for the DLTs were found to be lower than the control group (p < 0.05). The mean working period for DLTs was 9.19±5.9 years. The pulmonary function test results for the DLTs showed that 65.9% had a normal pattern, 22.4% were restrictive, and 11.7% showed obstructive type pulmonary function disorder. Negative correlations were found between the working period time and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second in the DLTs (R = -0.675 p = 0.000). Negative correlations were also found between working period time and Forced Vital Capacity in the DLTs (R = -0.720 p = 0.000). All DLTs had chest X-rays and 16 (17%) of them showed radiological pneumoconiosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed a negative association between level of respiratory function and working period in DLTs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chest Diseases, School of Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey. arahmanabakay@hotmail.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abakay
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Atilgan
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Abakay
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Atalay
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Güven
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yaman
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Palanci
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tekbas
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dalli
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tanrikulu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003800:Dental Technicians; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories; D059232:Laboratory Personnel; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D004391:Dust