Evaluation of pulmonary dysfunction of workers exposed to styrene vapors in a plastic injection industry
Journal of Behdasht dar Arseh (i.e., Health in the Field),
Vol. 8 No. 2 (1399),
14 December 2020
,
Page 1-9
https://doi.org/10.22037/jhf.v8i2.30633
Abstract
Background and Aims: As a volatile organic chemical, respiratory exposure to styrene vapors causes health consequences including respiratory disorders. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the pulmonary dysfunction of workers in a plastic injection industry polluted with styrene vapors.
Materials and Methods: The present study was a retrospective cohort in a plastic injection industry. Fifty production line employees were selected as the exposure group and 20 as the non-exposure control group. First, the environmental concentration of styrene was measured. Then the pulmonary parameters of the staff including the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), the forced and high-pressure vital capacity (FVC), the deduction of the critical output capacity in the first second of exhalation (FEV1 / FVC) and the maximum expiratory flow (PEF) at the “beginning of the shift” and "after completion" were obtained. Respiratory symptoms of these employees were assessed using a questionnaire of the American Chest Specialists Association (ATS). All the provisions of the Helsinki Declaration were observed in this study.
Results: The results showed significant differences in some pulmonary capacity parameters including FEV1 and FEV1 / FVC at the beginning and end of the work shift (p <0.05). Respiratory symptoms including cough, burning nose and throat, hoarseness and wheezing were significantly higher in the exposed group than in the non-exposed group (p <0.05).
Conclusion: The results showed that exposure to styrene is significantly associated with decreased pulmonary capacity and respiratory symptoms.
- Styrene
- Pulmonary dysfunction
- Occupational exposure
- Plastic industry
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References
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