title: A study on respiratory problems and pulmonary function indexes among cement industry workers in Mashhad, Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The respiratory system is the most vulnerable system in the cement industry. This study was conducted to determine the effects of occupational exposure to cement dust on the respiratory system more thoroughly.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross sectional study an interviewer-administered questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics and respiratory symptoms was completed and pulmonary function tests were carried out on 100 exposed and 120 non-exposed workers at the cement factory in Mashhad, Iran. The data was statistically analyzed by SPSS 16.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean of age and work duration in the exposed group was 37.5±6.3 and 10.7±5.4 years compared with the non-exposed group that was 36.1±7.1 and 10.1±5.7 years, respectively. Levels of exposure to inhalable cement dust in the exposed group were 23.13 mg/m3 (higher than national occupational exposure limits for such particles). Among the exposed group, respiratory symptoms as cough (6% vs. 0.8% of the non-exposed) and sputum (7% vs. 0.8% of the nonexposed) were significantly more prevalent (p<0.05). Forced expiratory flow 25-75% (FEF25-75%) was significantly lower in the exposed workers compared with non-exposed ones (p<0.05). Also forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) and FEF25-75% had a reverse correlation with the length of employment (p=0.000 and p=0.003, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study showed that occupational exposure to cement dust could be a significant factor of respiratory system dysfunction. Strict implementation of a respiratory protection program is recommended in cement industries.
authors.affiliation: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (Faculty of Medicine, Department of Occupational Medicine). RafeemaneshE@mums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Ehsan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rafeemanesh
authors.affiliation: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (Faculty of Medicine, Department of Occupational Medicine). Ash.alizadeh@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Ashkan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alizadeh
authors.affiliation: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (Faculty of Medicine, Department of Occupational Medicine). lahya.afshari@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Lahya
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Afshari Saleh
authors.affiliation: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran (Faculty of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine). Zakerih@mums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Hosein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zakeri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003252:Construction Materials; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust
keywords: Iran; Portland cement dust; occupational diseases; occupational exposure; pulmonary function test; respiratory symptoms