Changes in SpirometricIndices among welders of a water heater making factory in Neyshabur, Iran after Four Years

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 MSc, Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, School of Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Background: Welding is one of the most common industries in the world and welders are estimated to make up more than 1% of the work force in industrialized countries. The aim of this research was to study the respiratory index changes in these workers after four years working in this industry. Methods: This study included all welders working in one of the water heater making factories in Neyshabur who were 63 persons. Demographic information and respiratory complaints were collected by a questionnaire. Each worker's recent spirometry results were compared with his results from four years before using paired-samples t-test. Data analysis was performed using SPSS16 software. Results: The mean respiratory indices had all decreased after 4 years. The mean of FEV1 had decreased 0.12 L, ranging from 0.04 to 0.19, FVC had decreased 0.12 L, ranging from 0.03 to 0.2 and FEVI/FVC had decrease 77%, ranging from 0.11 to 1.31. This decrease was significant in all non-smoking welders, but not significant in smoking welders. Mucopurulent cough was the most common respiratory complaint among the welders. Conclusion: The findings may imply that welding is a high risk job that can negatively affect respiratory indices.Therefore it seems necessary to pay attention to preventive measures such as proper ventilation, using proper respiratory masks and environment health in this industry.

Keywords

Health and Development Journal
Volume 3, Issue 1
May 2014
Pages 38-47

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History

  • Receive Date: 23 September 2020
  • Accept Date: 23 September 2020

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