Spirometry pattern and respiratory symptoms in sweepers

Introduction: Multiple and sometimes contradictory evidence exists on the relationship
between dust exposure and respiratory symptoms with pulmonary disorders. The study
was conducted to examine the effects of chronic exposure to street dust on the pulmonary
parameters and respiratory complaints in sweepers.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 sweepers working in district
3 Bandar Abbas municipality in 2014. The control group was selected from the staff of
the same municipality with an office/administrative position who lacked occupational
respiratory exposures. In order to investigate pulmonary parameters, spirometry with
Spirolab MIR3 were performed and FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF and FEF25-75
parameters were measured. Data were analyzed using STATA 12 software. Two Way
ANOVA was used to compare respiratory parameters between two groups.
Results: Prevalence of respiratory symptoms including cough, sputum, shortness of
breath and wheezing had no significant differences in two groups. Values of FEV1,
FEF25-75 and PEF showed significant decrease when adjusted for the effect of smoking
on sweeper compared with administrative personnel (P<0.05). There were no statistically
significant differences between two groups and other variables of FVC and FEV1/FVC.
Conclusion: It seems that sweepers cleaning street, who are constantly exposed to dust,
are at risk of developing respiratory symptoms and decline in spirometric indices. It is
useful to apply protective measures to prevent exposure to dust and to perform annual
spirometry for early detection of respiratory disorders in sweepers.