Effect of cement dust on lung function in Libyans

Abstract

Forced vital capacity (FVC, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), forced expiratory ratio (FEV₁%), forced expiratory flow between 0.2 and 1.21 (FEF_200-1200) and forced mid-expiratory flow (FMF 25-75%) were measured in 100 non-exposed subjects (control) and 110 exposed subjects (mean age 38.0± 8.4 years) exposed to cement dust in a Benghazi cement plant. The exposed group had a significantly lower mean FEV₁% (p<0.001), FEF (p<0.05) and FMF (p<0.01) than the control group. The mean FVC and FEV₁ values in the exposed and the control groups were not significantly different. However, the reduction in lung function in the exposed group was not linked to the period of exposure.

Keywords:

• Cement dust
• Lung function