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Effects of Occupational Exposures on Respiratory Health in Steel Factory Workers Publisher Pubmed



Mozaffari S1 ; Heibati B2, 3 ; Jaakkola MS2, 3 ; Lajunen TK2, 3 ; Kalteh S4 ; Alimoradi H5 ; Nazari M6 ; Karimi A1 ; Jaakkola JJK2, 3, 7
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Occupational Health and Safety, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, Research Unit of Population Health, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
  3. 3. Biocenter Oulu, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
  4. 4. Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Esfahan Steel Company and Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran
  6. 6. Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran
  7. 7. Atmospheric Composition Research Unit, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Helsinki, Finland

Source: Frontiers in Public Health Published:2023


Abstract

Background: The steel factory work environment contains various chemical exposures that can affect indoor air quality and have impact on respiratory health of the workers. Aims: The objective of this study was to assess potential effects of occupational exposures in steel factory workers in Iran on the respiratory symptoms, occurrence and the lung function levels. Method: This was a cross-sectional study of 133 men working in a steel factory forming the exposed group and 133 male office workers forming the reference group from a steel company in Iran. The participants filled in a questionnaire and underwent spirometry. Work history was used both as dichotomous (exposed/reference) and a quantitative measure of exposure, the latter measured as duration of exposure in the specified work (in years) for the exposed group and zero for the reference group. Results: Multiple linear regression and Poisson regression were used to adjust for confounding. In Poisson regression analyses, an increased prevalence ratio (PR) of all respiratory symptoms was observed in the exposed group. Lung function parameters were significantly reduced in the exposed group (p < 0.001). There was a dose–response relation between duration of occupational exposures and reduction in the predicted value of FEV1/FVC level (0.177, 95% CI −0.198 to −0.156) in all models. Conclusion: The results of these analyses showed that occupational exposures in steel factory work increase the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and reduce lung function. Safety training and workplace conditions were found to need improvement. In addition, use of proper personal protective equipment is recommended. Copyright © 2023 Mozaffari, Heibati, Jaakkola, Lajunen, Kalteh, Alimoradi, Nazari, Karimi and Jaakkola.
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