Pulmonary Misfortune Ensuing to Petroleum Related Employments

Abstract

Background: toxic gases and fumes prompted from petrol and gas stations imply their disabling and deadly risks on human lungs. Aim of Work: The aim of this work was to assess the pulmonary function derangements in petrol pump workers at Al-Medina Al-Munawara city. Patients and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 189 cases out of them in control group (group I) with age and sex matched healthy adult males gathered from nonsmokers students and employees in Taibah University. The study group (group II) comprised of 89 males who were working in different petrol pump stations. History, clinical examination and pulmonary functional assessment were carried out by using portable spirometry, Co detector and puls oximeter. Results: The study’s results showoed that the lung function parameters (FEV1, FVC, PEFR, FEFR25% - 75%) were significantly reduced in petrol pump workers (Group II) as compared to the values for these parameters in subjects belonging to Group II (Control group), Similar findings were observed in previous studies on pulmonary functions in petrol-pump workers. This finding specified the restrictive nature of pulmonary involvement in the study group. Measurement of the exhaled CO was slightly higher in Group II than Group I. Conclusion: Fuel vapors and fumes in petrol stations showed direct incapacitating impact on workers pulmonary functions regarding spirometric measurements showing predominantly restrictive pattern and to less extent obstructive. Exhaled CO level was higher in addition to hypoxemia identified in these cases.