effect of cement dust on the lung function in a cement factory, Iran

The present study aimed at assessing cement dust exposure and its relationship to lung function at a Portland cement factory in Ilam, Iran. Lung function tests were carried out on 112 workers at the cement factory in 2008-09. Simultaneously 85 non exposed workers were used as control. Lung function tests were performed for all subjects. Additionally, total dust level was determined by the gravimetric method. Moreover, X-ray diffraction [XRD] technique was performed to determine the SiO2 contents of the bulk samples. The arithmetic means [AM] of personal total dust were higher in the crusher [27.49 mg/m3], packing [16.90 mg/m3], kiln [15.60 mg/m3], cement mill [13.07 mg/m3], raw mill [10.31 mg /m3] than in the maintenance [3.14 mg /m3], and administration [1.55 mg/m3]. The geometrical mean [GM] concentration was 12.12 mg/m3, which were considerably higher than occupational exposure limit [OEL] of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists [ACGIH], which is 10 mg/m3. Based on the results, the probability of the long-term mean exposure exceeding to the OEL of 10 mg/m3 for total dust were higher in the kiln [100%], packing [100%], cement mill [90%], crusher [73%], raw mill [60%] than in the maintenance [0%], and administration [2.3%]. Ventiliatory function evaluation, as measured by the function parameters, showed that 35.7% of the exposed workers had abnormality in lung function compared with 5.7% of those unexposed. Statistical analysis of the data indicated that exposed workers compared to the unexposed groups showed significant reductions in Forced Expiratory Volume in one second percent [FEV1], Forced Vital Capacity [FVC], and FEV1/FVC [p< 0.05]