title: Exposure to occupational air pollution and cardiac function in workers of the Esfahan Steel Industry, Iran.
abstract: Air pollution is recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We investigated association of exposure to occupational air pollution and cardiac function in the workers of the steel industry. Fifty male workers of the agglomeration and coke-making parts of the Esfahan Steel Company were randomly selected (n = 50). Workers in the administrative parts were studied as controls (n = 50). Those with known history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, or diabetes, and active smokers were not included. Data of age, body mass index, employment duration, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, and lipid profile were gathered. Echocardiography was performed to evaluate cardiac function. Left ventricular ejection fraction was lower in workers of the agglomeration/coke-making parts than in controls (mean difference = 5 to 5.5 %, P < 0.001). Mild right ventricular dilatation and grade I pulmonary hypertension were present in three (12 %) workers of the coke-making part, but none of the controls (P = 0.010). According to these results, occupational air pollution exposure in workers of the steel industry is associated with left heart systolic dysfunction. Possible right heart insults due to air pollution exposure warrant further investigations.
authors.affiliation: Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Centre, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Jafar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Golshahi
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. sadeghimasoumeh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Masoumeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sadeghi
authors.affiliation: Hypertension Research Centre, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saqira
authors.affiliation: Heart Failure Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Reihaneh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zavar
authors.affiliation: Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Centre, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sadeghifar
authors.affiliation: Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Centre, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Hamidreza
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Roohafza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D000397:Air Pollution; D001794:Blood Pressure; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003077:Coke; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004452:Echocardiography; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000209:etiology; D007221:Industry; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D013232:Steel
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D003077:Coke; D013232:Steel
keywords: Air pollution; Cardiovascular diseases; Coke; Occupational exposure; Steel