Background: The current paper set out to investigate the level of asbestos fiber and asbestos body in sputum and assayed of haematological factors, liver enzymes and pulmonary function test in asbestos exposed group.
Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with a total number of 100 subjects. The case group included 50 male workers with the age range of 25-60 who had at least worked for five years in the asbestos-cement factory. Control subjects consisted of 50 people who had no history of occupational exposure to asbestos. Lung function tests were measured with a portable calibrated vitalograph-PFT spirometer. liver enzymes were assayed with Pars Azmoon kits. Counts of red blood cells and white blood cells were assayed with a cell counter. We used light polarizan microscope to study the level of asbestos fiber and asbestos body in sputum.
Results: Asbestos fiber observed in sputum sample of workers and type of asbestos fiber is chrysotile. Asbestos bodies were found in only 10% of the workers. Decrease (but not significant) in lung function factors (FVC, FEV1, FVC/FEV1) had been seen in the workers in compare with control group. WBC, Eosinophil, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and liver enzymes levels were significantly higher (but in normal range) in workers as compared with the control group.
Conclusion: Presence of asbestos fiber and asbestos body in workers sputum samples showed workers exposure to asbestos and reduced level (insignificant) of lung function factors and increased level of leukocyte may be indicated pulmonary inflammation. These results also suggested that occupational exposure to asbestos dust may perturb liver mal function parameters
Rights and permissions | |
![]() |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |