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Respiratory Problems and Pulmonary Function Tests of Workers in Aluminum Smelting Industry Publisher



Azizi F1 ; Izadi N2 ; Montazeri A3 ; Moradinia M4
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Occupational Medicine, Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Occupational Medicine, Center for Research on Occupational Diseases, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Almahdi Aluminium Corporation, Bandar Abbas, Iran
  4. 4. Faculty of Aerospace and subaquatic Medicine Faculty, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Research Journal of Medical Sciences Published:2016


Abstract

The aluminum industry is one of the most important and strategic industry in Iran. There are variety of air pollutants in this industry that contribute to respiratory problems in exposed workers. This study was conducted to determine respiratory problems in aluminum smelter workers. A cross-sectional survey of 809 male employees of one Iranian aluminum smelters was conducted in 2015. Total 201 smelters as exposed group and 608 workers from other departments of plants were selected as control group. Information was collected using American Thoracic Society (ATS) standard questionnaire, physical examination and demographic data sheet. Pulmonary function tests were measured for all subjects. The frequency of the respiratory symptoms and signs were not statistically significant between both groups. The mean values of spirometric indices were lower in the exposed workers compared with unexposed group. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of other variables, in addition to the exposure, age was significantly related with spirometric indices. This study suggests that working in the aluminum smelting plant is associated with reduced pulmonary function tests. Therefore administrators should evaluate these workers with periodic medical examinations and implement respiratory protection program and exposure control in order to detect and prevent respiratory disorders in the early stages. © Medwell Journals, 2016.