Iran Occupational Health

 Background and aims

 Exposure to flour dust and related allergens is one of the most common causes of occupational airway disease (OAD) and occupational asthma (OA). The main purpose of this study was to investigate the respiratory effects of exposure to high atmospheric concentrations of flour dust.

 Methods

 This study was carried out in a local flour producing factory in Shiraz, in 1384. Sixty seven subjects (35 exposed and 32 non-exposed) were investigated. The prevalence of respiratory symptom as well as lung function capacities was evaluated. Additionally, atmospheric concentrations of flour dust were measured. The data were analyzed by Independent sample ttest, Chi-square or fisher's exact test and multiple linear regression.

  Results

  Atmospheric concentrations of dust exceeded current permissible levels. Additionally, exposed workers had higher prevalence rates of regular cough, productive cough, wheezing,  phlegm and shortness of breath. Likewise, significant (p<0.05) decrements in the parameters of pulmonary function were noted.

  Conclusions

  The findings of this study provide additional corroborative evidence in favour of the notion that after adjusting for age, smoking habits and other confounders, a strong association exists between exposure to flour dust and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and functional impairments of the lungs.