The cytological effects of Portland cement on the respiratory Epithelium among workers at Nile Cement Company limited

Abstract

This study was conducted at whit Nile state in Rabak city, during the period March 2007 to April 2008. In this study, sputum cytology was used to investigate the workers at Rabak Portland cement factory to assess the effect of Portland cement on respiratory epithelium. 102 workers were participated in this study .the same number was selected as control group .The mean age of workers group was 41.5 years. Information on personal characteristics, smoking, use of personal protective equipment, oral moist snuff used, alcohol use and occupational history & duration of work in the factory, was obtained by questionnaire interview. Papanicolaou stain was compared with may-Grunwald Giemsa, the prevalence of ab-normal sputum cytology of respiratory tract among exposed workers was higher compared with none exposed. The most noticeable feature was the presence of metaplastic changes and inflammatory changes that was highly significant. There was no significant difference in the respiratory inflammation between smokers and non- smokers control. . There was no effect of face mask uses. The prevalence of respiratory metaplasia in quarry group was higher than the others and in regeneration group the prevalence of respiratory inflammation was higher than the others occupational group. There was no relationship between, duration of work in factory and respiratory inflammation or metaplasia. . The result showed that was more prevalent respiratory metaplasia among center tribes compared with the others tribes and that more prevalent of respiratory inflammation in west tribe compared with the others tribe. Papanicolauo stain in sputum cytology proved to be superior to may-Grunwald Giemsa stain .To improve the environment in factory workers must be provided with good face mask which it protect dust from entry inside respiratory tract and it is recommended to use specific control measures, screening sputum cytology for early detection of any pre malignant or chronic infection that could be treated at early stage.