Iran Occupational Health

  Background and aims : Asbestos components are one of the most hazardous air pollutants that can cause a number of serious diseases in humanincluding asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma . The main goal of this research was the assessment of occupational exposure effects with Asbestos fibers on pulmonary function and lung capacity disorders in worker of an Asbestos- cement pipe and plate manufacturing plant.

  Methods: This research is a Cross-sectional study. In this study,78 personnelof an Asbestos- cement plant were studied during 2009-2010. Required information was collected by completing a respiratory questionnaire prepared according to standard reference personnel exposed to different concentrations of asbestos fibers. For the evaluation of pulmonary function of personnel lung spirometry was performed according to the American Thoracic Society standards and for data analysis Spss software & chi-square test were used.

  Results: Subjects had the age average and SD of 41.05±5.2 .I In addition, in this study a significant association ( P<0/05) was observed between work histories and disorderof pulmonary functionand adverse effects of asbestos . Results ofspirometry in different parts with low, moderate and high exposure showed that 72% of workers had normal lung function and 28% of workers had abnormalities. Abnormalities of lung function in all studied workers were included different restrictive patterns such as severe (2%), moderate (12%) and mild (14%).

  Conclusion: Based on our results, there was a significant relationship between reduction of lung capacity and restrictive lung disorders with increasing the age and work history in workerswho heavily exposed to Asbestos fibers. Therefore environmental and personal controls consisting of: replacing asbestos, training, using personal protective equipment(P.P.E) and limitation of exposure time are needed.