title: Exhaled breath malondialdehyde, spirometric results and dust exposure assessment in ceramics production workers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The study aimed at measuring exhaled breath malondialdehyde (EBC-MDA) in workers exposed to dust containing silica and at its comparison with the non-exposed control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross sectional, case-control study (N = 50) was performed in a tile and ceramics production factory in Yazd, Iran. EBC-MDA was quantified in exhaled breath of the participants by a lab made breath sampler. Exposure intensity was measured according to the NIOSH 0600 method in selected homogeneous exposure groups. Additionally, spirometry test was conducted to investigate a correlation between EBC-MDA and spirometric findings in the exposed workers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no difference in the observed exposure intensities of silica containing dust in different units. However, "coating preparation" was the unit with the highest concentration of dust. Although, the level of EBC-MDA in the cases was slightly higher than in the controls, the difference was not statistically significant (U = 252, p = 0.464). A significant and positive correlation was found between dust exposure intensity in working units and the measured EBC-MDA of workers (r = 0.467, N = 25, p = 0.027). There were also no statistically significant differences among job categories in the exposed group for the values of FEV1% (F(3, 44) = 0.656, p = 0.584), FVC% (F(3, 44) = 1.417, p = 0.172), and FEV1/FVC% (F(3, 44) = 1.929, p = 0.139).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results showed a significant correlation between respirable dust exposure intensity and the level of EBC-MDA of the exposed subjects. However, our results did not show a significant correlation between lung function decreases and EBC-MDA.
authors.affiliation: Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran (Faculty of Health, Department of Occupational Health).
authors.forename: Mohammad Javad Zare
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sakhvidi
authors.affiliation: Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran (Food and Drug Laboratory).
authors.forename: Javad
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Biabani Ardekani
authors.affiliation: Bam University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran (Faculty of Health, Department of Occupational Health).
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Firoozichahak
authors.affiliation: Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran (Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Biochemistry).
authors.forename: Javad
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zavarreza
authors.affiliation: Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran (Health Faculty, Department of Occupational Health).
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hajaghazade
authors.affiliation: Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran (Faculty of Medicine, Department of Occupational Medicine). mehrdadmostaghaci@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mehrdad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mostaghaci
authors.affiliation: Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran (Faculty of Medicine, Department of Occupational Medicine).
authors.forename: Amirhooshang
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mehrparvar
authors.affiliation: Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran (Faculty of Health, Department of Occupational Health).
authors.forename: Abolfazl
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barkhordari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001944:Breath Tests; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002516:Ceramics; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000032:analysis*; D066192:Manufacturing Industry; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D014797:Vital Capacity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D012822:Silicon Dioxide
keywords: Malondialdehyde; breath condensate; occupational exposures; oxidative stress; spirometry