US EPA

3011779 

Journal Article 

Respiratory symptoms and lung functional impairments associated with occupational exposure to asphalt fumes 

Neghab, M; Zare Derisi, F; Hassanzadeh, J 

2015 

Yes 

International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
ISSN: 2008-6520
EISSN: 2008-6814 

6 

2 

113-121 

English 

25890605 

10.15171/ijoem.2015.473 

https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84927699809&doi=10.15171%2fijoem.2015.473&partnerID=40&md5=d9a92932734ddf4322a84832c3f7003c
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BACKGROUND: Controversy exists as to the potential of asphalt fumes to induce respiratory symptoms and lung functional impairments.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the respiratory effects, if any, of occupational inhalation exposure to asphalt fumes.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 74 asphalt workers and 110 unexposed employees were investigated. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms among subjects was investigated by a standard questionnaire. Additionally, the parameters of pulmonary function were measured both, prior to exposure and at the end of work-shift. Furthermore, to assess the extent to which workers were exposed to asphalt fumes, total particulate and the benzene-soluble fraction were measured in different worksites.

RESULTS: The mean levels of exposure to total particulate and benzene-soluble fraction in asphalt fumes were estimated to be 0.9 (SD 0.2) and 0.3 (SD 0.1) mg/m^3, respectively. Mean values of FEV1, both prior to the exposure (89.58% [SD 18.69%] predicted value) and at the end of shift (85.38% [SD 19.4%]), were significantly (p<0.05) smaller than those of the comparison subjects (93.88% [SD 13.93%]). Similarly, pre-shift (87.05 [SD 8.57]) and postexposure (89.95 [SD 6.85]) FEV1/FVC ratio were both significantly (p<0.01) lower than those of the unexposed employees (107.56 [SD 9.64]). Moreover, the prevalence of respiratory symptoms such as cough and wheezing in exposed employees were 41% and 42%, respectively. The corresponding values for comparison subjects were 10.0% and 3.6%, respectively (p<0.001). The pattern of changes in parameters of lung function in asphalt workers was consistent with that of chronic obstructive lung disease.

CONCLUSION: Significant decrements in the parameters of pulmonary function as well as, a significant increase in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in asphalt paving workers compared to their unexposed counterparts provided evidence in favor of a significant association between exposure to asphalt fumes and lung function impairments.