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Occupational Exposures and Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function Among Hairdressers in Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study Publisher Pubmed



Heibati B1, 2, 3 ; Jaakkola MS1, 2, 3 ; Lajunen TK1, 2, 3 ; Ducatman A4 ; Bamshad Z5 ; Eslamizad S6 ; Shafee F5 ; Karimi A7 ; Jaakkola JJK1, 2, 3, 8
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Aapistie 5B, P.O. Box 5000, Oulu, 90014, Finland
  2. 2. Faculty of Medicine, Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, Oulu, 90014, Finland
  3. 3. Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 8000, Oulu, 90014, Finland
  4. 4. West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, WV, United States
  5. 5. Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
  6. 6. Food Safety Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  7. 7. Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  8. 8. Finnish Meteorological Institute, P.O. Box 503, Helsinki, 00101, Finland

Source: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health Published:2021


Abstract

Objective: Exposures at hairdressers’ work have been reported to lead to an increased risk of several health outcomes. The present study aimed to investigate the relations between occupational exposures and respiratory symptoms and lung function among hairdressers in Iran. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to compare potential respiratory effects among 140 women working as hairdressers to such effects among 140 women working as office workers (administrative personnel). Both groups worked in Shiraz, Iran. Respiratory symptoms were assessed by a standard respiratory questionnaire. The questionnaire also inquired about substances used and workspace conditions, including ventilation type. Lung function levels were measured by spirometry. Results: Respiratory symptoms, including cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness were significantly more frequent in hairdressers compared to the reference group (p < 0.05). After controlling for potential confounders, hairdressers had a prevalence ratio (PR) of 2.18 (95% CI 1.26–3.77) for cough, 9.59 (95% CI 1.004–91.73) for wheezing, 2.06 (95% CI 1.25–3.39) for shortness of breath, and 3.31 (95% CI 1.84–5.97) for chest tightness compared to the reference group. Lung function parameters (including VC, FVC, and FEV1) were significantly reduced in hairdressers (p < 0.001). Absence of air conditioning predicted greater reduction in lung function (p < 0.05) in the exposed. Decrease in FVC with normal FEV1/FVC in the exposed group suggested existence of restrictive lung function. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms and restrictive lung function impairment among hairdressers in Iran. © 2021, The Author(s).
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