title: Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Function Tests among Galvanized Workers Exposed To Zinc Oxide.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Galvanization is the process of coating steel or cast iron pieces with a thin layer of zinc allowing protection against corrosion. One of the important hazards in this industry is exposure to zinc compounds specially zinc oxide fumes and dusts. In this study, we evaluated chronic effects of zinc oxide on the respiratory tract of galvanizers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Overall, 188 workers were selected from Arak galvanization plant in 2012, 71 galvanizers as exposed group and 117 workers from other departments of plants as control group. Information was collected using American Thoracic Society (ATS) standard questionnaire, physical examination and demographic data sheet. Pulmonary function tests were measured for all subjects. Exposure assessment was done with NIOSH 7030 method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Personal Breathing Zone (PBZ) air sampling results for zinc ranged from 6.61 to 8.25 mg/m³ above the permissible levels (Time weighted average; TWA:2 mg/m³). The prevalence of the respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, throat and nose irritation in the exposed group was significantly (P<0.01) more than the control group. Decreasing in average percent in all spirometric parameters were seen in the galvanizers who exposed to zinc oxide fumes and dusts. The prevalence of obstructive respiratory disease was significantly (P=0.034) higher in the exposed group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High workplace zinc levels are associated with an increase in respiratory morbidity in galvanizers. Therefore administrators should evaluate these workers with periodic medical examinations and implement respiratory protection program in the working areas.
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Occupational Diseases, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Omid
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Aminian
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Occupational Diseases, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamidreza
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zeinodin
authors.affiliation: Sleep Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Khosro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sadeghniiat-Haghighi
authors.affiliation: Center for Research on Occupational Diseases, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. nazanin.izadi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nazanin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Izadi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013232:Steel; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D013232:Steel; D015034:Zinc Oxide
keywords: Galvanized Workers; Pulmonary Function Tests; Respiratory Symptoms; Zinc Oxide