International Journal of Physiology

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Impact of Fuel Exposure on Ventilatory Function among Petrol Pump Attendants in Thies, Senegal


Affiliations
1 UFR of Health Sciences of Thies, Service Functional Explorations of the Regional Hospital of Thies, Senegal
2 Laboratory Physiology and Functional Explorations, FMPO/UCAD, Dakar, Senegal
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Introduction: Petrol pump attendants are exposed to toxic substances in fuels. The release of petrol fumes during fuel refuelling is a repeated and often harmful source of exposure for petrol pump attendants. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the ventilatory disorders related to fuel exposure among petrol pump attendants.

Materials and Method: Forty petrol pump attendants have been recruited. The study included a medical survey with a questionnaire that examined anthropometric characteristics, seniority, smoking habits and working conditions. The study included a medical survey with a questionnaire that examined anthropometric characteristics, seniority, smoking habits and working conditions. All our subjects received a basic and post-bronchodilator spirometry. The targeted respiratory functional disorders were bronchial obstruction, restrictive syndrome and mixed syndrome. Obstructive syndrome has been reported on the basis of: FEV1/ FVC and/or FEF25-75% less than 80%. Functional restriction was defined on the basis of a decrease in FVC <80% and the normal FEV1/FVC ratio. The mixed syndrome was retained firstly before the combination of the two obstructive and restrictive spirometric anomalies.

Results: We noted 20% of active smokers and 25% of ex-smokers. The average length of service was 9.4 ± 7.05 years. All of the petrol pump attendants used incomplete means of protection. No employee was receiving medical follow-up. Most subjects (52.5%) were unaware of the risks associated with fuel exposure. Respiratory functional disorders were dominated by isolated obstructive ventilatory disorder (OVD) in 45% of subjects and were mainly located in the distal bronchi (65%). Besides, 12.5% of subjects had an isolated restrictive functional disorder (RFD) and a mixed syndrome in 27.5% of cases. Obstructive and mixed ventilatory disorders were more important according to smoking status. The different ventilatory disorders (VD) appeared from the beginning of exposure with a predominance of obstructive ventilatory disorders. Mixed ventilatory disorders increased significantly after 10 years of exposure.

Conclusion: Exposure to petrol / diesel fumes has harmful effects on the ventilatory function of petrol pump attendants.


Keywords

Petrol Pump Attendant, Fuel, Ventilatory Disorders, Spirometry, Senegal.
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Kaung S, Liang W. Clinical analysis of 43 cases of chronic benzene poisoning, Chemico-Biological Interactions2005 : 153-154

  • Vinegar A, Carson A, Pepelko WE. Pulmonary function changes in Chinese hamsters exposed six months to diesel exhaust. Env Internal 1981; 5: 369–71.

  • Mauderly JL. Life-span of rodents inhaling diesel exhaust: results through 30 months. Inhal Toxicol Res Inst Ann Rep 1983 : 305–16.

  • Brusasco V, Crapo R, Viegi G. Recommandations communes de l’ATS et de l’ERS sur les explorations fonctionnelles respiratoires. Revue des Maladies Respiratoires 2007 ; 24(3) : 11-14.

  • Wiwanitkit V, Suwansaksri J, Nasuan P. Research note: Urine trans, trans-muconic acid as a biomarker for benzene exposure in gas station attendants in Bangkok, Thailand. Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci 2001 ; 31 : 399–401.

  • Ferreira MC, Freire ON. Carga de Trabalho e Rotatividade naFunção de Frentista. RAC 2001; 5 :175–200.

  • Singhal M, Khaliq F, Singhal S, Tandon OP. Pulmonary function in petrol pump workers: A preliminary study. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 2007;51:244‑5.

  • Hulke SM, Patil PM, Thakare AE, Vaidya YP. Lung function test in Petrol Pump workers. National J PhysiolPharmaPharmacol2012;2:71‑5.

  • Pelligrino R, Viegi G, Brusasco V, Crapo RO, Burgos F, Casaburi R et al. Interpretative strategies for lung function test. Eur. Respir. J 2005 ; 26 : 948-968.

  • Kesavachandrani C, Rastogi SK, Anand M, et al. Lung function abnormalities among petrol-pump workers of Lucknow, North India. Current Science 2006; 90: 1177-1178.

  • Ayres SM, Evans R, Licht D, Griesbach J. Health effects of exposure to high concentrations of automotive emissions. Arch Environ Health 1973; 27: 168-78.

  • Pinkerton KE, Green FH, Saiki C, Vallyathan V, Plopper CG, Gopal V, et al. Distribution of particulate matter and tissue remodeling in the human lung. Environ Health Perspect 2000; 108: 1063‑9.

  • Roux M, Duracher C. Physiologie bronchique. Physiologie humaine appliquée 2ème édition. Editions Arnette 2017: 900 p.

  • Udwalia F.E, Shetye V.M. The Maximum expiratory flow volume curve in normal subjects in India. Chest Journal 1986; 89(6): 852-56.

  • Moorman WJ, Clark JC, Pepelko WE, Mattox J. Pulmonary function responses in cats following long-term exposure to diesel exhaust. J Appl Toxicol 1985; 5(5): 301–5.

  • Foray JP. Rappel de la situation réglementaire en matière de pollution : quelles implications de la nouvelle directive COV-Solvants sur le secteur de la peinture industrielle ? In : Peintures industrielle et nouvelles technologies. La Documentation Professionnelle, Paris Euroforum 1998: 20p.

  • Laraqui HC. H, Laraqui HO, Rahhali AE et al. Risques respiratoires chez les ouvriers des menuiseries ébénistes artisanales. Rev Mal Respir 2001; 18:615-622.

  • Wieslander G, Norback D, Edling C. Occupational exposure to water-based paint and symptoms from the skin and eyes. Occup Environ Med 1994; 51:181-6.

  • Weisel CP. Benzene exposure: An overview of monitoring methods and their findings. Chem. Biol. Interact 2010; 184: 58–66.

  • Rumchev K, Spickett J, Bulsara M et al. Association of domestic exposure to volatil organic. Compounds with asthme in young children. Thorax 2004; 59: 746-751

  • Mitha N, Lévy J, Annesi-Maesano I, Lafortune J, Magnier AM, Ibanez G. Pollution de l’air intérieur et asthme chez l’adulte. Revue des Maladies Respiratoires 2013; 30: 374 - 413

  • Solanki RB, Bhise AR, Dangi BM. A study on spirometry in petrol pump workers of Ahmedabad, India. Lung India 2015; 32 (4) : 347-352.

  • Noertjojo HK, Dimich-Ward H, Peelen S et al. Western red cedar dust exposure and lung function: a dose-response relationship. Am J Respir Crist Care Med 1996; 154 : 968-73


Abstract Views: 425

PDF Views: 0




  • Impact of Fuel Exposure on Ventilatory Function among Petrol Pump Attendants in Thies, Senegal

Abstract Views: 425  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Arame Mbengue
UFR of Health Sciences of Thies, Service Functional Explorations of the Regional Hospital of Thies, Senegal
Mame Saloum Coly
UFR of Health Sciences of Thies, Service Functional Explorations of the Regional Hospital of Thies, Senegal
Salimata Houndjo Faye
Laboratory Physiology and Functional Explorations, FMPO/UCAD, Dakar, Senegal
Abdou Khadir Sow
Laboratory Physiology and Functional Explorations, FMPO/UCAD, Dakar, Senegal
Mor Diaw
Laboratory Physiology and Functional Explorations, FMPO/UCAD, Dakar, Senegal
Fatou Bintou Sarr
UFR of Health Sciences of Thies, Service Functional Explorations of the Regional Hospital of Thies, Senegal

Abstract


Introduction: Petrol pump attendants are exposed to toxic substances in fuels. The release of petrol fumes during fuel refuelling is a repeated and often harmful source of exposure for petrol pump attendants. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the ventilatory disorders related to fuel exposure among petrol pump attendants.

Materials and Method: Forty petrol pump attendants have been recruited. The study included a medical survey with a questionnaire that examined anthropometric characteristics, seniority, smoking habits and working conditions. The study included a medical survey with a questionnaire that examined anthropometric characteristics, seniority, smoking habits and working conditions. All our subjects received a basic and post-bronchodilator spirometry. The targeted respiratory functional disorders were bronchial obstruction, restrictive syndrome and mixed syndrome. Obstructive syndrome has been reported on the basis of: FEV1/ FVC and/or FEF25-75% less than 80%. Functional restriction was defined on the basis of a decrease in FVC <80% and the normal FEV1/FVC ratio. The mixed syndrome was retained firstly before the combination of the two obstructive and restrictive spirometric anomalies.

Results: We noted 20% of active smokers and 25% of ex-smokers. The average length of service was 9.4 ± 7.05 years. All of the petrol pump attendants used incomplete means of protection. No employee was receiving medical follow-up. Most subjects (52.5%) were unaware of the risks associated with fuel exposure. Respiratory functional disorders were dominated by isolated obstructive ventilatory disorder (OVD) in 45% of subjects and were mainly located in the distal bronchi (65%). Besides, 12.5% of subjects had an isolated restrictive functional disorder (RFD) and a mixed syndrome in 27.5% of cases. Obstructive and mixed ventilatory disorders were more important according to smoking status. The different ventilatory disorders (VD) appeared from the beginning of exposure with a predominance of obstructive ventilatory disorders. Mixed ventilatory disorders increased significantly after 10 years of exposure.

Conclusion: Exposure to petrol / diesel fumes has harmful effects on the ventilatory function of petrol pump attendants.


Keywords


Petrol Pump Attendant, Fuel, Ventilatory Disorders, Spirometry, Senegal.

References