Pulmonary function decline in firefighters and non-firefighters in South Korea

Choi, Ju-Hwan; Shin, Jae-Hong; Lee, Mi-Young; Chung, In-Sung

doi:10.1186/2052-4374-26-9

Cited by 11 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…It implies that as the years of service increases, the lung function parameters decreases proportionately. Our finding is similar to other previously published studies which have also shown a decline in lung function as duration of service increases [4,5,9,10] . Unger et al, demonstrated a trend towards an increased rate of volume loss in the FVC and FEV1 as years progressed, among the fire fighters [11].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

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Predictors of pulmonary function in fire-fighters

2017

IJIRM

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Introduction: Fire-fighters are at great risk of being exposed to intense smoke. This occupational hazard may have an effect on their pulmonary function, as observed in many studies. This study was done to identify various factors that predict pulmonary function among fire-fighters. Methodology: All the fire-fighters of Puducherry region were recruited in our study after obtaining an informed consent. After enrolment, socio-demographic variables and anthropometric measurements were recorded in a pre-structured proforma, following which every participant underwent spirometry testing. The Spirometric parameters FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEF, FEF25-75 were recorded and the results were analysed. Results: There was a statistically significant negative correlation between years of service and Spirometric values FVC, FEV1, PEF, and FEF 25-75 except FEV1/FVC (%). Out of a total of 115 fire-fighters, 87(75.7%) had a normal spirometry and 28(24.3%) showed evidence of obstructive airway disease (OAD). There was no statistically significant difference between fire-fighters with OAD and without OAD in terms of age, duration of service in the department, height, weight and body mass index (BMI). Among fire-fighters, the odds of having OAD was high for smokers, subjects with history of atopy and those who had recent history of wheeze and respiratory infection, compared to those without these risk factors. However the results were not statistically significant. Conclusions: As the duration of service increases, there is a decline in the Spirometric parameters FVC, FEV1, PEF and FEF25-75, for all the fire-fighters. 28(24.3%) showed evidence of obstructive airway disease by spirometry. Age, duration of service in the fire department, height, weight and Body mass index may not be useful predictors that a fire-fighter would develop obstructive airway disease. However, longitudinal studies with large sample size are necessary for robust evidence.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…The pioneering studies on lung function among firefighters were conducted in Boston in the 1970s [3]. Since then many studies have been conducted to assess the acute and chronic effects of smoke on lung function [4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Acute effects on the lungs have well been documented in these studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of pulmonary function in fire-fighters

2017

IJIRM

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“…Carbon monoxide, cyanide, low oxygen concentration, isocyanides, and nitrogen dioxide cause harm to the bronchi and alveoli leading to acute respiratory dysfunction (20). In addition, exposure to hydrochloric acid, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, aldehydes, and ammonium cause inflammatory responses in the neutrophils that lead to elevated respiratory sensitivity, decreased respiratory function, harm to the respiratory conduction system in further cases causing chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, asthma, and pulmonary fibrosis (21).…”

Section: Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new potential biomarker in early diagnosis of firefighter lung function impairment: dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis

Gündüzöz

İritaş²,

Tutkun

et al. 2018

Cent Eur J Public Health

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Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between urinary arsenic, oxidative stress, assessed by thiol/disulphide homeostasis, and lung diseases in firefighters. Methods: The study conducted among the municipality-based male firefighters (n = 100) who were admitted to occupational diseases clinic for periodic medical examination. The control group consisted of non-exposed male office workers (n = 50). Urinary arsenic levels, thiol/disulphide homeostasis parameters of participants were determined. Also, lung diseases were assessed by chest X-ray and pulmonary function tests. Results: The mean age and work year did not differ in the study and control group. The median urinary arsenic concentration of firefighters was significantly higher than in the control group: 15.65 (2.5-246) μg/L and 3 (0.10-6) μg/L, respectively (p < 0.001). The parameters of pulmonary function tests (PFT) FVC (%), FEV1 (%), FEV1/FVC ratio and FEF 25-75 (%) were all significantly lower in firefighters compared to controls. A significant increase in mean serum disulphide concentration (17.10 ± 8.31 μmol/L vs. 7.48 ± 5.91) (Fig. 1) and disulphide/native thiol % ratio: 3.63 (0.53-11.43) vs. 1.51 (0.03-7.65) (p < 0.001) were found between exposed group and controls. The Spearman's correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between urinary arsenic and disulphide (r = 0.422, p < 0.001), disulphide/native thiol % ratio (r = 0.409, p < 0.001). Nevertheless, urinary arsenic correlated negatively with all PFT parameters including FVC (%), FEV1 (%), FEV1/FVC and FEF 25-75 (%) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: We showed the arsenic-induced oxidative stress in firefighters with impairments of several lung functions determined by thiol/ disulphide homeostasis using a novel method.

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“…Another less common effect from isocyanate exposure is hypersensitivity pneumonitis, an inflammation of the alveoli caused by inhaled isocyanate particles (Lockey et al 2015;Vandenplas et al 1992). In terms of lowdose and chronic exposure, it has been suggested that isocyanates, together with carbon monoxide, cyanide, nitrogen dioxide as well as a low oxygen concentration can cause irreversible damage to the bronchi and alveoli and acute respiratory function (Choi et al 2014). A summary of human health effects for individual isocyanates are presented in Table 1.…”

Section: Impact On Human Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of isocyanates in fire toxicity

2016

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Isocyanates are a group of low molecular weight, highly reactive compounds with a functional isocyanate group. The main human exposure route is via inhalation of airborne isocyanates, although dermal exposure has also been reported. The inhalation of isocyanates is associated with severely adverse health effects such as asthma, inflammation in the respiratory tract and cancer. During thermal degradation of polyurethane materials, airborne isocyanates can be sampled in the fire effluent. This paper discusses the reactivity and commercial applications of isocyanates and the generation of airborne isocyanates during thermal degradation, the human health effects as well as the environmental fate of some of the most commercially important isocyanates. This is followed by a review of the generation of isocyanates from large-scale fire testing and bench-scale test methods as well as sampling techniques and derivatisation agents necessary to stabilise the isocyanates and analysis.

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Pulmonary function decline in firefighters and non-firefighters in South Korea

Cited by 11 publications

References 23 publications

Predictors of pulmonary function in fire-fighters

Predictors of pulmonary function in fire-fighters

A new potential biomarker in early diagnosis of firefighter lung function impairment: dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis

The role of isocyanates in fire toxicity

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