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Lung Function in Traditional Shellfish Divers in Southern Chile-A Cross-Sectional Study.
Lorenz Mark1,2, Marie Astrid Garrido3, Dennis Nowak1,2
1Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität), 803386 Munich, Germany.
Traditional shellfish divers exhibit better lung function than fishermen, but high diving frequency negatively impacts lung volumes. Cumulative diving exposure may reduce lung function over time, necessitating further research for diver safety.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Occupational Health
- Marine Biology
Background:
- Long-term effects of diving on human lung function remain debated.
- Traditional shellfish diving is a prevalent occupation in coastal communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate lung function in traditional shellfish divers.
- To identify risk factors associated with reduced lung volumes in divers.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing divers and fishermen.
- Health and diving habits assessed via questionnaires.
- Lung function measured using spirometry; statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and multiple linear regression.
Main Results:
- Divers demonstrated higher forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) compared to fishermen.
- Among divers, increased diving frequency correlated with lower FVC, while greater diving depth correlated with higher FVC.
- Cumulative diving exposure was associated with decreased lung function in divers.
Conclusions:
- Professional divers generally possess better lung function than fishermen.
- High diving frequency and cumulative exposure are risk factors for reduced lung function in divers.
- Further research is warranted to ensure diver safety and health.
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