Spirometric profile among detergents factory workers in Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract The exposure to chemicals in cleaning factories and companies, as some studies have shown negatively affect the health of their respiratory system. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of chemical substances on lung function of the factories' workers. Spirometry parameters were compared between chemical factories workers and non-workers. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study of employees of chemical cleaning materials companies and factories, including male's category. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to record workers' characteristics, and the data entered to the spirometry device. The spirometry test was performed to assess workers' lung functions; we recorded the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of FVC (FEF25-75%), and lung age. Results: A total of 94 apparently participants (28 workers and 66 nonworkers) were included in the study. Chemical factories workers showed significant decreasing in the values of FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEF, FEF25-75%, and lung age compared to non-workers group (P < 0.05 to P <0.001). Conclusion: Exposure of workers to chemicals is associated with reduced spirometry parameters of the lung function in healthy adults with relatively limited working years.