RESUMO
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