Effect of Duration of Exposure to Vapors and Gases on Respiratory Symptoms and Pulmonary Function Test of Females

Alsadig E. M. Alghoull, Mukhtar M. S., Abd Alla A. Mohamed, Salwuy A Alriyah

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of duration of exposure to fumes, gases and chemical vapourson lung function tests. For this study, 174 females are selected. Their ages ranged from 15 to 40 years. The participants are classified into two groups by the virtue of the distance from the factories .The first group (n=71) is residing close to the local factories and west Zawia Electrical Station in Azzawia city.Females in this group are exposed to gases, fumes and chemical vapours and are regarded as the experimental (exposed) group. The second group is healthy females randomly selected from other places located 25-30 km distant from the factories and  an Electrical Station and is regarded as the control group (n = 103). Spirometric measurements including FVC, FEV1 and FEV1% are obtained by a standardized spirometer (Vitalograph limited-Spirometer), while measurements of PEFR are done with the use of a standardized Mini-Wright peak flow meter. Data are statistically analyzed by mean, standard error, and pairedt-test. All (P) values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Statistical analyses revealed that FVC, FEV1 and PEFR are significantly higher in the control group (unexposed females) than in the experimental group. The mean values of FVC, FEV1, FEV1% and PEFR for the participantsof the control group are: 3.7 L, 3.1 L, 85 %, and 448 L/min respectively, whereas the results of their counterparts (exposed) are: 3.2 L, 2.7L, 81.1 %, and 412 L/min respectively.

https://doi.org/10.31871/IJNTR.5.8.17