Pulmonary Effects of Exposure to Synthetic Fibers: A Case Study in a Textile Industry in Iran

Background & Aims of the Study: Industries continue to develop and use of various typesof manmade fibers nowadays. Acrylic fiber is one of the most important synthetic fibersthat use in industries. Based on this fact that, little information exists about workplacesexposure to acrylic fibers, purpose of this study is to determine so this study has been donefor evaluation of the pulmonary effects of acrylic fiber.Materials & Methods: This cross sectional study has been done in a textile industry on 60male workers in Qom province of Iran in 2014. The stratified random sampling was usedfor sampling, as each hall was regarded a class. The number of subjects who employed inspinning, weaving, finishing and pocketing halls was 26, 12, 12 and 10 respectively. TheNIOSH method, 600 was utilized for respirabale dust sampling. Subjects were interviewedand respiratory symptom questionnaire were administrated to all of them. The pulmonaryfunctioning indices were FVC, FEV1/FVC, FEV1 and FEF 25%-75%. The data werestatically analyzed using one sample t-test, Pearson Correlation Coefficient Test, one wayanalysis of variance, where applicable with a preset probability of (P<0.05) by using SPSSV16.Results: The highest level of personal exposure to the dust was observed in spinning andweaving Halls (9.07-12.45 mg/m3). In the spinning and weaving, the exposure to therespirable dust was less and the exposure to total dust was more than TLV-TWA. Therewas no significant relation among pulmonary performance and working experience, age,body mass index and using respiratory protection equipment (P> 0.05). There is asignificant inverse relation between the concentration of respirable dust and the variablesrelated to the respiratory parameters.Conclusions: The total exposure value in spinning and weaving halls is higher than theTLV-TWA. There is high possibility for the emergence of early stages of disorders relatedto the obstructions of airways, especially in alveolar duct, in employees who work in theaforesaid halls. Modified engineering controls in these situations are recommended.