Despite wide application of hydrated calcium sulfate, possible respiratory effects of long-term occupational exposure to high concentrations of this chemical have only been investigated in a limited number of epidemio...Despite wide application of hydrated calcium sulfate, possible respiratory effects of long-term occupational exposure to high concentrations of this chemical have only been investigated in a limited number of epidemiological studies. This study is undertaken to examine this issue, more thoroughly. This cross-sectional study is carried out at a local gypsum plant in Shiraz, capital of Fars province situated in south western Iran. All exposed subjects (20 male workers) and 20 healthy non-exposed male individuals as the referent group are investigated. Prevalence of respiratory symptoms among the studied subjects is evaluated and they undergo spirometry test (twice for the exposed group and once for the unexposed employees). Moreover, to assess the extent to which workers are exposed to gypsum dust and using standard methods, inhalable and respirable fractions of this compound are measured in different dusty worksites. Average airborne concentration of inhalable dust fraction is estimated to be 24 ± 14.76 mg/m3 which is higher than the recommended threshold limit value (TLV) for this chemical. Respiratory symptoms such as phlegm, wheezing and dyspnea are significantly more prevalent in exposed subjects than in non-exposed employees (p < 0.05). The results of ventilatory function tests (pre- shift) don’t show any significant differences between both groups. However, some post-shift parameters of ventilatory function such as FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio are significantly lower than those of preshift and referent group. Exposure to high atmospheric concentrations of gypsum dust is associated with a significant increase in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms along with acute reversible significant decreases in some parameters of ventilatory function.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the prevalence of fecundity and other reproductive problems among a group of farmers in Kavar district of Fars province,southern Iran.Methods:A total of 268 randomly selected married male farm...Objective:To investigate the prevalence of fecundity and other reproductive problems among a group of farmers in Kavar district of Fars province,southern Iran.Methods:A total of 268 randomly selected married male farm workers were investigated.A questionnaire was devised and validated[Cronbach'sα-coefficient(0.81)].Subjects were directly interviewed and the questionnaire forms were completed for them.Results:The prevalence of current primary infertility aniong the studied population was about7.4%(P=0.001).Similarly,6.3%of farm workers had offsprings with congenital malformations.Finally,1.5%and 9%of farmers'wives had a history of stillbirth and abortion,respectively.It was concluded that the prevalence of current primary infertility were higher aniong farm workers families than in the normal population(P<0.05).Additionally,stillbirth and spontaneous abortion were more common in the wives of farm workers than in the normal population,although the difference did not reach statistical significance.Conclusions:These effects are likely to be attributed to the exposure of farm workers to pesticides.展开更多
AIM: To quantify the exposure levels and to assess pulmonary reactions associated with exposure to cotton dust and its biological contaminants.METHODS: All employees(51 male workers) of a ginning industry as well as 5...AIM: To quantify the exposure levels and to assess pulmonary reactions associated with exposure to cotton dust and its biological contaminants.METHODS: All employees(51 male workers) of a ginning industry as well as 51 referent unexposed subjects from clerical staff of an educational center were investigated. Atmospheric concentrations of cotton dust and bioaerosols were measured. Furthermore, bacterial and fungal genera and species were identified by an expert microbiologist and an experienced mycologist. A standard respiratory symptom questionnaire was filled out for the subjects and they underwent multiple spirometry tests, at the beginning and at the end of work season as well as prior to(pre-exposure base line values) and at end of the first shift of workweek(post exposure). RESULTS: Gram negative bacteria including Enterobacter agglomerans and Pseudomonas spp. were found to be the dominant bacterial species and genera, respectively. Similarly, dominant fungi were identified tobe Mucor sp. Rhizopus sp. and Aspergillus niger. Mean atmospheric concentrations of cotton dust in ginning and outdoor areas were found to be 35.2 and 6.8 mg/m3, respectively. The prevalence rates of cough, phlegm, wheezing, dyspenea and grade 1/2 byssinosis among the exposed subjects were significantly higher than their corresponding values for the unexposed employees(P < 0.05). Additionally, significant differences were noted in the mean baseline value(preshift) of vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1)and FEV1/forced vital capacity ratio of the exposed subjects when compared with those of their referent counterparts. Similarly, significant cross shift decrements were noted in most parameters of pulmonary function of the exposed subjects.CONCLUSION: Seasonal exposure to cotton dust induces both acute, partially reversible, and chronic irreversible decrements in the lungs' functional capacities as well as increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms.展开更多
文摘Despite wide application of hydrated calcium sulfate, possible respiratory effects of long-term occupational exposure to high concentrations of this chemical have only been investigated in a limited number of epidemiological studies. This study is undertaken to examine this issue, more thoroughly. This cross-sectional study is carried out at a local gypsum plant in Shiraz, capital of Fars province situated in south western Iran. All exposed subjects (20 male workers) and 20 healthy non-exposed male individuals as the referent group are investigated. Prevalence of respiratory symptoms among the studied subjects is evaluated and they undergo spirometry test (twice for the exposed group and once for the unexposed employees). Moreover, to assess the extent to which workers are exposed to gypsum dust and using standard methods, inhalable and respirable fractions of this compound are measured in different dusty worksites. Average airborne concentration of inhalable dust fraction is estimated to be 24 ± 14.76 mg/m3 which is higher than the recommended threshold limit value (TLV) for this chemical. Respiratory symptoms such as phlegm, wheezing and dyspnea are significantly more prevalent in exposed subjects than in non-exposed employees (p < 0.05). The results of ventilatory function tests (pre- shift) don’t show any significant differences between both groups. However, some post-shift parameters of ventilatory function such as FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio are significantly lower than those of preshift and referent group. Exposure to high atmospheric concentrations of gypsum dust is associated with a significant increase in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms along with acute reversible significant decreases in some parameters of ventilatory function.
基金part of an approved research project(No.4597)partially funded by the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences(SUMS)
文摘Objective:To investigate the prevalence of fecundity and other reproductive problems among a group of farmers in Kavar district of Fars province,southern Iran.Methods:A total of 268 randomly selected married male farm workers were investigated.A questionnaire was devised and validated[Cronbach'sα-coefficient(0.81)].Subjects were directly interviewed and the questionnaire forms were completed for them.Results:The prevalence of current primary infertility aniong the studied population was about7.4%(P=0.001).Similarly,6.3%of farm workers had offsprings with congenital malformations.Finally,1.5%and 9%of farmers'wives had a history of stillbirth and abortion,respectively.It was concluded that the prevalence of current primary infertility were higher aniong farm workers families than in the normal population(P<0.05).Additionally,stillbirth and spontaneous abortion were more common in the wives of farm workers than in the normal population,although the difference did not reach statistical significance.Conclusions:These effects are likely to be attributed to the exposure of farm workers to pesticides.
基金Supported by Shiraz University of Medical Sciences,Vice chancellor for research and technology,No.91-6347
文摘AIM: To quantify the exposure levels and to assess pulmonary reactions associated with exposure to cotton dust and its biological contaminants.METHODS: All employees(51 male workers) of a ginning industry as well as 51 referent unexposed subjects from clerical staff of an educational center were investigated. Atmospheric concentrations of cotton dust and bioaerosols were measured. Furthermore, bacterial and fungal genera and species were identified by an expert microbiologist and an experienced mycologist. A standard respiratory symptom questionnaire was filled out for the subjects and they underwent multiple spirometry tests, at the beginning and at the end of work season as well as prior to(pre-exposure base line values) and at end of the first shift of workweek(post exposure). RESULTS: Gram negative bacteria including Enterobacter agglomerans and Pseudomonas spp. were found to be the dominant bacterial species and genera, respectively. Similarly, dominant fungi were identified tobe Mucor sp. Rhizopus sp. and Aspergillus niger. Mean atmospheric concentrations of cotton dust in ginning and outdoor areas were found to be 35.2 and 6.8 mg/m3, respectively. The prevalence rates of cough, phlegm, wheezing, dyspenea and grade 1/2 byssinosis among the exposed subjects were significantly higher than their corresponding values for the unexposed employees(P < 0.05). Additionally, significant differences were noted in the mean baseline value(preshift) of vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1)and FEV1/forced vital capacity ratio of the exposed subjects when compared with those of their referent counterparts. Similarly, significant cross shift decrements were noted in most parameters of pulmonary function of the exposed subjects.CONCLUSION: Seasonal exposure to cotton dust induces both acute, partially reversible, and chronic irreversible decrements in the lungs' functional capacities as well as increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms.
