Chronic rhinitis in glassblowers

Abstract

Background/Aim. Glassworkers, especially glassblowers are in close contact with a variety of chemical and physical harmful agents at their workplace. Upper aerodigestive pathway is predominantly vulnerable to these agents. Breathing of warm volatile substances and dust, and mouth touch with glassblower's pipe are the main ways for chronic respiratory mucosa inflammation. The aim of this study was to estimate effect of workplace environment in a glass manufacturer plant, as a causative factor, on the prevalence of chronic rhinitis in glassblowers. Methods. Studied groups, one hundred glassblowers and 100 nonglassblowers in a same factory, were examined for diagnosis of chronic rhinitis. Results. This investigation confirmed that chronic rhinitis prevalence among glassblowers was significantly higher than that in non-glassblowers. The duration of exposure to harmful factors was not a significant factor for chronic rhinitis development. Conclusion. On their workplace, glassblowers are exposed to greater influence of noxious factors, and they have statistically greater risk for getting chronic rhinitis than nonglassblowers who work in the same work environment. Glass production by glassblowing is highly significant risk factor for getting chronic rhinitis, but the exposure period is not.

Keywords

• glass
• occupational exposure
• prevalence
• rhinitis
• workplace
• risk assessment