ABSTRACT
Objective: There are few studies on the diesel exhaust particulates [DEP] / eosinophilic cationic protein [ECP] level relationship. This study aimed to detect ECP levels in a highly DE exposed group, named as toll collectors
Methods:In a cross-sectional study, levels of serum ECP, rates of respiratory symptoms, mean levels of respiratory functions, smoking status, and variations in peak expiratory flow [PEF] during weekends and working days were compared for 68 toll collectors [TC] [range of age, 24-48 years] and 28 controls [range of age, 25-61 years]. All subjects in the study group were men
Results:No significant difference was observed in terms of symptoms and smoking rates between the toll collectors and control group. The number of toll collectors [12/68 [17.7%] vs 1/28 [3.5%]] with diurnal PEF variability in the working period was higher than that of controls [p=0.058]. Mean ECP level of toll collectors was higher than that of controls [32.8 vs 21.4 ng/L], but the difference was not significant. Mean ECP levels were higher in subjects experiencing diurnal PEF variability during work and off-work periods [34.9 vs 28.3 ng/L, p=0.410]
Conclusions:Serial PEF measurements combined with serum ECP measurements did not add a new tool to detect the sensitivity of workers dealing with DE. Much more diesel exhaust exposed workers should be included to search for cheap and available methods when evaluating airway