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Exposure to occupational air pollution and cardiac function in workers of the Esfahan Steel Industry, Iran

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Abstract

Air pollution is recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We investigated association of exposure to occupational air pollution and cardiac function in the workers of the steel industry. Fifty male workers of the agglomeration and coke-making parts of the Esfahan Steel Company were randomly selected (n = 50). Workers in the administrative parts were studied as controls (n = 50). Those with known history of hypertension, dyslipidemia, or diabetes, and active smokers were not included. Data of age, body mass index, employment duration, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, and lipid profile were gathered. Echocardiography was performed to evaluate cardiac function. Left ventricular ejection fraction was lower in workers of the agglomeration/coke-making parts than in controls (mean difference = 5 to 5.5 %, P < 0.001). Mild right ventricular dilatation and grade I pulmonary hypertension were present in three (12 %) workers of the coke-making part, but none of the controls (P = 0.010). According to these results, occupational air pollution exposure in workers of the steel industry is associated with left heart systolic dysfunction. Possible right heart insults due to air pollution exposure warrant further investigations.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (grant no. 393896). We are thankful to the employees of the Esfahan Steel Company who participated in this study. Also, we appreciate the assistance of Dr Katayoon Rabiei for her cooperation and Dr. Ali Gholamrezaei by editing this report.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Centre, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    Jafar Golshahi, Mostafa Sadeghifar & Hamidreza Roohafza

  2. Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    Masoumeh Sadeghi

  3. Hypertension Research Centre, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    Mohammad saqira

  4. Heart Failure Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

    Reihaneh Zavar

Authors
  1. Jafar Golshahi
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  2. Masoumeh Sadeghi
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  3. Mohammad saqira
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  4. Reihaneh Zavar
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  5. Mostafa Sadeghifar
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  6. Hamidreza Roohafza
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Masoumeh Sadeghi.

Ethics declarations

The study was approved by the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, informed consent was obtained from the subjects, and all data were recorded anonymously.

Conflict of interest

None declared.

Source of support

Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (grant no. 393896).

Additional information

Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Golshahi, J., Sadeghi, M., saqira, M. et al. Exposure to occupational air pollution and cardiac function in workers of the Esfahan Steel Industry, Iran. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 11759–11765 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6334-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6334-9

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