ABSTRACT
Background: Silicosis is considered an oxidative stress related disease that can lead to the development of lung cancer. In this study, our purpose was to analysis of volatile organic compounds [VOCs] in the exhaled breath of workers exposed to silica containing dust and compare peak area of these compounds with silicosis patients and healthy volunteers [smokers and nonsmokers] groups
Methods: In this cross sectional case-control study, the exhaled breath of 69 subjects including workers exposed to silica [n=20], silicosis patient [n=4], healthy non-smoker [n=20] and healthy smoker [n=25] were analyzed. We collected breath samples using 3-liter Tedlar bags
The VOCs were extracted with solid phase micro-extraction [SPME] and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry [GC-MS]
Personal exposure intensity was measured according to NIOSH 7601 method. Respiratory parameters were measured using spirometry
Results: Seventy percent and 100% of the exposures to crystalline silica dust exceeded from 8 h TWA ACGIH TLVs in case and positive control groups, respectively
A significant negative correlation was found between dust exposure intensity and FEVi/FVC when exposure and positive control groups were studied in a group [r[2]=-0.601, P<0.001]
Totally, forty VOCs were found in all exhaled breath samples. Among the VOCs, the mean of peak area acetaldehyde, hexanal, nonanal, decane, pentad cane, 2-propanol and 3-hydroxy-2-butanone were higher in exhaled breath of the workers exposed to silica and silicosis patient compared to the healthy smoker and nonsmoker controls. In some cases the difference was significant [P<0.05]
Conclusions: The analysis of some VOCs in exhaled breath of subjects is appropriate biomarkerto determine of exposure to silica
ABSTRACT
Introduction and Aims: volatiles compounds are major causes of air pollution that exposure to these compounds can cause a lot of health effects on people. Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl benzene and Xylene [BTEX] are volatiles components of Gasoline that occupational exposures with them cause irreversible effect on the health of people. The purpose of this study was to assess the risk arising from occupational exposure of BTEX on workers in Gasoline refueling stations of Mashhad in order to provide guidelines to control them
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 20 refueling station in the Mashhad city in 2012. In order to assess the health risk of chemical uses the proposed method by National Institute of Safety and Health in Singapore. Firstly job tasks and work process was determined and risk ranking was calculated in each job task by aid of hazard and exposure rate for any of chemicals. Finally were obtained the risk level for each of the material by Placement of these two parameters in the final equation
Results: The result showed that maximum health risk is primarily related to the pumper and in exposing to benzene [risk=4.5] and in next stage is in unloading Operators with Ethyl benzene
Conclusion: Results showed that workers in Gasoline refueling stations exposed to high levels of vapors BTEX compounds. Using of ways control includes installation of vapors recovery system, proper maintenance of equipments gasoline refueling and design of chamber for pumper significantly can be reduces the risk of exposure to these compounds