Effect of Occupational Cement Dust Pollution on The Respiratory Epithelium in Amran Cement Factory – Yemen

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the risk of the respiratory epithelium in regards to occupational exposure to cement dust. Detailed job histories and sputum samples were elicited from 531 individuals, who 433 individuals confirmed exposure to cement dust (cases) and 98 individuals healthy none exposed (controls). Cytological smears were prepared and demonstrated using Papnicoloua test and Silver Nucleolar organizer Region AgNORs methods. Data were analyzed using the SPSS program, mean and chi-square were calculated. The cytological changes were elevated in exposure compared to controls, the risk associated with occupational cement dust pollution was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Out of the 433 cases, the following results, 21(4.8%) atypia (dysplasia), 236(54.5%) squamous metaplasia, 252(58.2%) acute inflammatory infiltrated cells, 45(10.4%) chronic inflammatory infiltrated cells, Actinomyces israelii and Monilia were observed in 54(13%), 9(2%(, respectively, cytological evidence of viral infection 39(9%). The mean AgNORs dots counts was elevated among exposure (3±.043) and less among controls (1.8±.07), was statistically significant (P<0.000). The study concluded that exposure to cement dust is a risk factor for occurrence of cytological atypia (dysplasia), squamous metaplasia, inflammatory changes and susceptibility of infections. The mean AgNORs counts is a useful indicator for cellular proliferation activity in respiratory epithelium and for prediction of the risk of exposure to certain carcinogenic elements that may induce lung cancer. Cytology is a useful technique in evaluation of environmental and industrial changes.