Majallah-i Dānishgāh-i ’Ulūm-i Pizishkī-i Shahīd Ṣadūqī Yazd (Jan 2005)
Evaluation of the Effects of Cigarrette Smoking on the Respiratory Function of Workers Exposed to Asbestos
Abstract
Introduction: Smoking is one of the main risk factors in various diseases of different systems of the body, including the respiratory system and asbestosis is pulmonary fibrosis due to asbestos inhalation. Aim: This investigation evaluates the effects of smoking on the respiratory function and aggravation of respiratory complications in asbestos workers. This study was performed in August, 2002 at The Haajat Chrysotile Asbestos factory of Nehbandan, Birjand, Khorasan, Iran. Methods: A cross –sectional study was done on 56 Asbestos mine workers, randomly chosen and matched in two groups; smokers (25 individuals) & nonsmokers (31 individuals). Asbestos levels were measured in different areas of the factory and mine. All of the workers were interviewed and underwent clinical examination and spirometery. Results: The mean value of asbestos in the respiratory field of the exposed workers was approximately 80 times over the standard limit (39.75 f/ml; TLV= 0.5 f/ml). According to clinical examination, both groups showed some kind of respiratory dysfunction, but cough & bloody sputum in the smoker group was significant. So, pulmonary function test impairment was seen in both the groups, but obstructive and mixed patterns were significant in the smoker group (P<0.01). Conclusion: The results demonstrate that cigarette smoking results in a significant increase and aggravation of pulmonary complications in asbestos workers. These changes are prominent even in those workers smoking less than 5 p/y. We therefore suggest that smoking and asbestos inhalation aggravate each others complications because smoking, even in low amounts causes respiratory problems in these workers and asbestosis presents itself in smokers much earlier than expected. . In view of the wide use of asbestos in friction industries like manufacture of brakes of vehicles, smoking can produce undesirable effects in those exposed for longer periods to heavy traffic, such as traffic police officers. In order to decrease these personal and social problems, serious thinking needs to be done.
