Abstract
Background: There are suggestions that fuel pump workers (FPW) may exhibit respiratory abnormalities.
Objectives: To investigate respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function, and inflammatory mediators in induced sputum (IS) of FPW exposed to vapors of automotive fuels.
Methods: Fifty two never-smokers, who had been working as FPW for at least one year, were enrolled in the study (men: 42; age: 35.9±8.9 years). A control group of 22 healthy hospital workers, never-smokers, was selected (men: 11; age: 30.5±5.1 years). All volunteers answered a questionnaire, performed spirometry and induction of sputum. Inflammatory mediators were measured in the fluid phase of IS by cytometric bead array. Comparisons were performed by Fisher`s exact test and Mann-Whitney test.
Results: FPW referred a significantly higher prevalence of coughing (42.3 X 4.5%), and dyspnoea for fast walking or climbing elevations (59.6 X 22.7%) than controls. FPW also showed significantly higher spirometric measurements than controls (FVC: 97.5%pred [74-131] X 90%pred [73-107], p: 0.003; FEV1: 91.5%pred [77-116] X 85.5%pred [69-108], p: 0.03). PFW exibited significant decreases of lymphocyte counts in IS (4.6% X 7.7%, p: 0.047), and levels of IL-4 (4.46 X 13.41 pg/ml), IL-5 (0.76 X 0.59 pg/ml), IL-10 (1.48 X 2.50 pg/ml), IL-12 (1.47 X 3.40 pg/ml), IFNγ (1.42 X 1.81 pg/ml), and MIP-1a (3.08 X 3.58 pg/ml). PFW showed a significant increase in IL-3 (52.57 X 0.37 pg/ml).
Conclusions: FPW exhibit more respiratory complaints than controls. Chronic exposure to inhaled fuel vapors may lead to impairment of lymphocytic function, and of the immunological response in airways mucosa. A healthy work effect may have influenced pulmonary function results.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 3166.
This abstract was presented at the 2020 ERS International Congress, in session “Respiratory viruses in the "pre COVID-19" era”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2020