الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 174 |  |  |
| | | from | 174 | | |
Abstract
This work was conducted in a glass factory (Menoufiya governorate) to study auditory and respiratory disorders which may arise among workers in that industry. This study included an exposed group of glass workers (250) who accepted participating in the study and a control (unexposed) group (250) from the worker’s relatives. Both groups were matched for age, sex, residence, marital status, income and educational level. The exposed group and controls were interviewed using a predesigned questionnaire about respiratory, auditory and heat related manifestations. Also, they were examined generally and locally for chest and ears. Spirometric measurements as well as Audiometry were carried out for both exposed group and controls aiming to assess pulmonary functions and hearing thresholds; respectively. Postero- anterior chest X-ray was done for some workers. Environmental studies were done by Tabbin Institute for Metallurgical Studies Central Laboratory for the Studies Industrial Pollution (TIMS/ CLISP) periodically via air sampling (using gas analyzer from the respiratory zone of the workers), assessment of noise at the level of workers ears (using sound level meter) and measuring heat stress levels (using portable heat stress monitor). The following results were obtained: -The environmental measurements of the exposed group were lower than permissible exposure limits (PEL) by the Egyptian environmental Law 4 for the year 1994 for CO, NO2 and SO2 - Noise level was higher than the PEL by Egyptian environmental Law 4 for the year 1994 and NIOSH (1998) in some departments. - Free crystalline silica (SiO2) level is higher than that recommended by the Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Industry, Law 12 Decree 211/2003 and NIOSH (2002). - The prevalence of chest symptoms e.g. rhinitis, cough and dyspnea was significantly higher among exposed group than controls. Regarding auditory manifestations, the exposed workers experienced a significant higher prevalence of hearing impairment and tinnitus than controls. In addition, heat related manifestations (exhaustion, cramps and skin rash) were significantly higher among exposed group than controls. - Concerning the mean values of spirometric measurements the FVC%, FEV1%, FEV1/FVC % and FEF25-75% were significantly lower among exposed group than controls. Exposed smokers experienced significant lower mean values of the FVC%, FEV1%, FEV1/FVC % and FEF25-75% than exposed non-smokers. - Audiometric findings show different grades of decreased hearing threshold. Noise induced hearing loss is bilateral with V-dip depression in audiogram. This appears in some workers of exposed group not unexposed one.