Mostafa Asadzadeh - Occupational and Industrial Medicine Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Hossein Kanesh - Occupational and Industrial Medicine Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Hadi Eshaghi Sani Kakhaki - Occupational and Industrial Medicine Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran

Background: In Iran, most of the cleaning processes are performed manually in urban areas. Sweepers are exposed to respiratorypollutants, infectious substances, and other hazardous substances such as chemicals, animal feces, and sharp objects duringimproper disposal of waste. Respiratory pollutants in these occupations can cause inflammation and damage to the respiratorysystem. Moreover, prolonged exposure to respiratory pollutants in the workplace can reduce lung function and cause numeroushealth problems.Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effect of workplace exposures of municipal solid waste collectors on the reduction ofthe pulmonary function level.Methods: This retrospective cohort study was performed on ۱۹۸ municipal solid waste collectors aged ۱۸ to ۵۵ years who were employedin this profession for at least two years. The sampling method was census, and demographic data were extracted from occupationalexamination records.Results: Examining the relationship between pulmonary function decline and the studied variables showed a significant relationshipbetween smoking and reduction of FVC, FEV۱, and FEF۲۵ -۷۵. However, no significant relationship was observed between dustexposure and pulmonary function decline.Conclusions: No significant relationship was observed between pulmonary function loss and occupational dust exposure in municipalsolid waste collectors. This means that the occupational exposure of these individuals was not severe enough to cause pulmonaryfunction loss.

Spirometry, Municipal SolidWaste Collectors, Pulmonary Function