Serum Nickel Levels Compromise the Oxidative Status and Lung Functions in Ceramic Workers.

The authors have requested that this preprint be withdrawn due to erroneous posting.

Occupational Exposure to Nickel in the Ceramic Workers: Biological Monitoring and Respiratory Outcomes

Background: Nickel (Ni) compounds such as nickel oxide are used as pigments in ceramic industries. The toxicity of nickel can occur in the glaze preparation processes. This study aimed to ascertain whether exposure to Ni dust is associated with pulmonary response. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 49 ceramic workers (exposed group) occupationally exposed to nickel dust, as well as 55 unexposed employees (referent group). Information about smoking habits, overtime work, length of employment, skin dermatitis, job title, use of respiratory protection equipment, ventilation system, age, and BMI index were collected through questionnaires. The parameters of pulmonary function were measured. Urine samples were taken from 49 workers at both pre- and post-shift (98 samples). The referent group was examined only once (55 samples). To determine the nickel, the samples were pre-concentrated by Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Results: Urinary Ni value in the exposed workers was significantly higher than that in the referent group. All pulmonary function parameters in the exposed group were significantly lower than those of the referent group (P<0.001). Those using respiratory protection equipment also exhibited a significantly lower urinary Ni concentration than those not using respiratory protection equipment. Conclusion: These findings indicate that exposure to Ni in the ceramic industry is higher than the recommended biological exposure index and is associated with a significant decrement in the pulmonary function parameters.

Estimation of the aerobic capacity by step test in the workers of a tile factory in Yazd in 2017

Introduction: Estimation of the maximum aerobic capacity to find a physiological fitness between worker and the work is of great importance. The purpose of this study was to estimate the highest aerobic capacity and physical work capacity of tile and ceramic workers. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 90 workers were randomly selected from tile and ceramic workers in Yazd. A questionnaire consisting of two parts was used as data collection tool. The first part of the questionnaire included demographic characteristics completed by the interview. In the second part, parameters including height, weight, BMI and heart rate were inserted in the questionnaire. The Queen step test was used to measure the maximum aerobic capacity. The data were analyzed by SPSS software using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests and Spearman,s test. Results: The maximum aerobic capacity in tile and ceramic workers was estimated to be 3.60±.0.03 L/m. The results showed that aerobic capacity was significantly correlated with weight and body mass index. Also, there was no significant relationship between aerobic capacity, smoking and exercise, and education, but there was a significant relationship between gob title and aerobic capacity. Conclusion: Weight, BMI and type of occupation affect the aerobic capacity of workers.