The effect of occupational exposure to petrol on pulmonary function parameters: a review and meta-analysis

Introduction Exposure to petrol and gasoline can have harmful effects on the lungs. This review aimed to summarize the reported effects of this exposure on pulmonary function parameters. Methods Relevant studies were identified by a comprehensive search in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and Google Scholar databases. Irrelevant studies were excluded. Quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa score (NOS). The standard mean difference of pulmonary parameters between exposed and unexposed petrol station attendants was pooled using random effects. Meta-regression was used to investigate factors probably related to heterogeneity. Studies affecting the total estimates were assessed during sensitivity analysis. The Egger test was performed to investigate any evidence of publication bias. Results Eventually, 26 studies entered the meta-analysis, and the pooled standard difference [95% confidence interval (CI)] of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, vital capacity (VC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory flow (FEF25-75) and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) in the exposed minus unexposed groups was -1.08 L (95% CI: -1.38, -0.78), -0.92 L (-1.15, -0.69), -0.65 (-1.01, -0.30), -0.51 L (-0.96, -0.06), -0.96 L/s (-1.21, -0.69), -0.78 L/s (1.14, -0.42) and -0.58 L/min (-0.90, -0.27), respectively, and showed a decrease in all pulmonary parameters in the exposed group. Conclusion Occupational exposure to petrol fumes is a risk factor for lung function and there is a reverse relation between lung function and the duration of exposure.