Background and aims

  Fiberglass is extensively used in the manufacture of textiles, as a fortifying substance in plastic industry and in the production of sound proof and thermal insulators. However, despite its wide application, the nature of its respiratory effects, if any, is a controversial  issue and has not been thoroughly investigated. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to assess the possible pulmonary reactions associated with this compound.

  Methods

  Forty nine fiberglass workers and 42 unexposed employees as the referent group from  a local fiberglass industry were studied. Standardized respiratory questionnaires were administered to them they underwent chest x-ray and the parameters of their pulmonary function were measured. Moreover, respirable dust concentrations were measured in different dusty worksites.

  Results

  The average (mean±SD) age of exposed individuals and length of exposure to fiberglass were 39.6±7.34 and 11.2±5.59 years, respectively. Atmospheric concentrations of  respirable fraction of fiberglass dust in the Line and Tissue units were found to be 44.5 and 6.27 mg/m 3 , respectively. Prevalence of respiratory symptoms and abnormalities in chest x-rays of exposed and unexposed subjects and the results of their lung function parameters were not  significantly different (P>0.05). However,significant associations between length of exposure to fiberglass and age with FEV 1 /FVC ratio (P<0.05) were noted.

  Conclusion

  Our data provide further evidence in favor of the notion that exposure to fiberglass dust is unlikely to be associated with respiratory symptoms, abnormal radiographic changes or functional impairments of the lungs.