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Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia
ISSN: 1394-195X
Vol. 25, No. 6, 2018, pp. 76-84
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Bioline Code: mj18083
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol. 25, No. 6, 2018, pp. 76-84
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Effects of Dust Exposure on the Respiratory Health Symptoms and Pulmonary Functions of Street Sweepers
Hashemi Habybabady, Raheleh; Nasibi Sis, Hannaneh; Paridokht, Fatemeh; Ramrudinasab, Fatemeh; Behmadi, Ali; Khosravi, Bentolhoda & Mohammadi, Mahdi
Abstract
Background: The most common risks for street sweepers are respiratory symptom and
airway obstruction increases as a result of dust inhalation. The aim of this study was to compare
the respiratory symptoms and pulmonary functions of dust-exposed street sweepers with those of
unexposed individuals.
Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 84 street sweepers with occupational
dust exposure (exposed group) and 80 office workers (control group) working for the municipality
of Zahedan in Iran. Each of the participants completed the American Thoracic Society respiratory
questionnaire, and their lung functions were measured using a calibrated spirometer.
Results: The respiratory symptom frequencies were significantly higher in the exposed
group than in the reference group (P < 0.05). Specifically, coughing was the most common
complaint of the street sweepers (81%) when compared to the controls (16.3%). The means of
the peak expiratory flow and forced expiratory flow at 25%–75% of the pulmonary volume were
significantly less in the exposed group than in the control group.
Conclusion: Occupational exposure and unhealthy working conditions are the most likely
causes of mild obstructive disease and pulmonary function parameter changes. Providing street
sweepers with the appropriate respiratory protection equipment, as well as periodic spirometry
for the early diagnosis of pulmonary dysfunction, could be effective for preventing many types of
pulmonary damage.
Keywords
pulmonary function; dust; spirometry; respiratory symptoms; exposure
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© Copyright 2018 - Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia Alternative site location: http://www.medic.usm.my/publication/mjms/
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