Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Function Tests among Galvanized Workers Exposed To XXXX .

@entity1353 @entity1947 @entity219 @entity1514 @entity1576 @entity71595
BACKGROUND: Galvanization is the process of coating steel or cast iron pieces with a thin layer of @entity219 allowing protection against corrosion. One of the important hazards in this industry is exposure to @entity219 compounds specially @entity1947 fumes and dusts. In this study we evaluated chronic effects of @entity1947 on the respiratory tract of galvanizers. METHODS: 188 workers were selected from a galvanization plant, 71 galvanizers as exposed group and 117 workers from other departments of plants as control group. Information was collected using American @entity1514 Society (ATS) standard questionnaire, physical examination and demographic data sheet. Pulmonary function tests were measured for all subjects. Exposure assessment was done with NIOSH 7030 method. RESULTS: The Personal Breathing Zone (PBZ) air sampling results for @entity219 ranged from 6.61 to 8.25 mg/m   above the permissible levels (Time weighted average; @entity71595 mg/m  ). Results showed that the prevalence of the respiratory symptoms such as @entity1353 , throat and nose irritation in the exposed group was significantly more than the control group. Decreasing in average percent in all spirometric parameters were seen in the galvanizers who exposed to @entity1947 fumes and dusts. The prevalence of obstructive @entity1576 was significantly higher in the exposed group. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that high workplace @entity219 levels are associated with an increase in @entity1576 in galvanizers.
