Smoking status and respiratory symptoms in hairdressers,autopainters and carpenters

The relation between cigarette smoking and occupational asthma in various groups has been investigated. An association between smoking and occupational asthma was found in bakers, sea food processors, detergent workers, workers exposed to platin salts. Occupational history, smoking status, respiratory symptoms of 75 hairdressers (68 female), 75 carpenters (71 male), 75 auto painters (all male) working in our region (a town located at the northwest part of Turkey with 120 000 inhabitants). Pulmonary function tests and urinary cotinine were measured in all cases in the summer. The respiratory symptoms of 90 workers whose cotinine levels below 500 ng/ml were evaluated (cotinine levels were low in 45.3% of hairdressers, 45.3% of carpenters and 29.3% of auto painters). Cough (14.7%), phlegm (17.6%), wheezing (14.7%), chest tightness (17.6%) were mostly seen in carpenters whereas auto painters were presented with dyspnea (27.3%). Occupational rhinitis history was mostly observed in auto painters (18.2%) and conjunctivitis history was high in hairdressers (8.8%). Cough was high in hairdressers (36.6%) and carpenters (36.6%) whose cotinine levels were above 500 ng/ml. Phlegm was high in carpenters (41.5%). Wheezing was mostly seen in hairdressers (22.0%). Chest tightness was observed in 24.4% of hairdressers and carpenters. Dyspnea was mostly seen in auto painters (15.1%). Rhinitis was higher in hairdressers (19.5%) whereas conjunctivitis was mostly presented in carpenters (7.3%). Respiratory functions of workers whose cotinine levels below 500 ng/ml were compared. No difference was found in the percentage of the predicted forced vital capacity between hairdressers (94.1%pred), carpenters (94.7%pred) and auto painters (93.3%pred). There was no difference in the percentage of the predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second between hairdressers (92.5%pred), carpenters (99.4%pred) and auto painters (94.7%pred). The ratio of FEV1/FVC was lower in auto painters (83.9%pred) than in those of hairdressers (89.0%pred) and carpenters (88.2%pred). The percentage of the predicted maximal midexpiratory flow rate was lower in auto painters (82.7%pred) than those in hairdressers (89.7%pred) and carpenters (106.1%pred). Cough, phlegm, wheezing, chest tightness and dyspnea were associated with occupation and cotinine levels in univariate analysis. Occupation was found as an independent factor on phlegm (F= 5.7, p=0.004) and dyspnea (F=3.9, p=0.021) in multivariate analysis.In conclusion; chronic bronchitis like symptoms were higher in nonsmoker carpenters whereas dyspnea was mostly seen in nonsmoker auto painters. Rhinitis was mostly seen in auto painters among nonsmoker workers. The ratio of FEV1/FVC and mean maximal midexpiratory flow rate were lower than those in hairdressers and carpenters. Finally it was pointed out that cessation of smoking was important as much as preventing from dust and fume in the work place.Key words: Hairdressers, auto painters, carpenters, respiratory symptoms, urinary cotinine