title: Long term effects of tear gases on respiratory system: analysis of 93 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess the long-term respiratory effects of tear gases among the subjects with history of frequent exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire by NIOSH and pulmonary function tests was performed in 93 males exposed to the tear gases frequently and 55 nonexposed subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean numbers of total exposure and last 2 years exposure were 8.4 ± 6.4 times, 5.6 ± 5.8 times, respectively. Tear gas exposed subjects were presented with a higher rate for cough and phlegm more than 3 months (24.7% versus 11.3%, P > 0.05). Mean FEV1/FVC and % predicted MMFR in smoker exposed subjects are significantly lower than those in smoker controls (81.7% versus 84.1%, P = 0.046 and 89.9% versus 109.6%, P = 0.0004, resp.). % predicted MMFR in nonsmoker exposed subjects is significantly lower than that in nonsmoker controls (99.4% versus 113.1%, P = 0.05). Odds ratios for chest tightness, exercise dyspnea, dyspnea on level ground, winter morning cough, phlegm, and daily phlegm were increased almost 2 to 2.5 folds among tear gas exposed subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rates for respiratory complaints were high in the case of the exposure to the tear gases previously. Tears gas exposed subjects were found to be under the risk for chronic bronchitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chest Diseases, Duzce University Medical Faculty, Düzce, Turkey.
authors.forename: Peri
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arbak
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Ankara Numune State Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ilknur
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Başer
authors.affiliation: Department of Chest Diseases, Ankara University Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Özlem Ozdemir
authors.initials: ÖO
authors.lastname: Kumbasar
authors.affiliation: Department of Chest Disease, Private Practice, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Füsun
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ülger
authors.affiliation: Department of Chest Diseases, Istanbul University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Zeki
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kılıçaslan
authors.affiliation: Department of Chest Diseases, Pamukkale University Medical Faculty, Denizli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Evyapan
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D062486:Public Health Surveillance; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000187:drug effects*; D013665:Tear Gases / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D013665:Tear Gases