[Respiratory function in female workers occupationally exposed to acid air pollution]

Prevalence of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity were studied in 117 female workers exposed to acid fumes and aerosols in pickling industry. Similar prevalence of respiratory symptoms was recorded in three working groups: a) pickling; b) mustard making; c) packing. Significantly higher prevalences of chronic cough (p < 0.05), chest tightness, nasal catarrh and sinusitis (p < 0.01) were found in pickling workers in relation to controls. In all three exposed groups there was a high prevalence of acute symptoms during work shift. Measured FEV1, FEF50 and FEF25 were significantly decreased in comparison to predicted normal values. Pickling workers exposed for more than one year demonstrated significantly larger acute reductions during work shift than those with shorter exposure. Our data suggest that long term exposure to acid fumes and aerosols in industrial environment may cause the development of acute and/or chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function changes.