Toxicology International (Formerly Indian Journal of Toxicology)

Driton Shabani ¹, Pellumb Islami ², Zana Ibraimi ¹, Hilmi Islami ³

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmacy, University of Prishtina, Clinical Centre, Prishtina, Kosova, RS
2 Department of Clinical Toxicology, Hospital of Mitrovica, Kosova, RS
3 Department of Pharmacology, University of Prishtina, Clinical Centre, Prishtina, Kosova, RS

Abstract

In this paper the impact of air pollution on the bronchial reactivity of mine workers in Leposaviq - Kosovo with toxic metals such as: (SiO₂, Pb, Zn, Particulate matter-PM) has been studied. Since body plethysmography is a highly sensitive and precise technique in the research of phenomena affecting bronchial reactivity, we have defined lung function with Body Plethysmography. Airway resistance (Raw) was recorded and Intrathoracic Gas Volume (ITGV) was measured and Specific Airway Resistance (SRaw) and specific conductance (SGaw) were calculated. The control group consisted of 35 healthy people. In our case we used histamine as a provocative test, which did not cause significant changes in bronchomotor tone (p> 0.1). In the experimental group, 59 workers of the Leposaviq - Kosovo mine were included. The results obtained from this research show that the mean Specific Resistance (SRaw), and specific conductance (SGaw) values significantly underwent changes in the experimental group compared to the control group (p <0.01). The study also found that smoking favors the adverse effects of air pollution on workers’ health. To the workers exposed to high concentrations of air pollution found change in lung function, increased bronchial reactivity, and impaired lung function at the level of gas exchange, namely a decrease in O₂ partial pressure and an increase in pacific CO₂ pressure in arterial blood. We also have a reduction in carbon monoxide transfer factor (p <0.01).

Keywords

Leposaviq - Kosovo Mine Workers, Respirable Noxae of SiO₂, PM Ores, Pb, Zn.

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