Clinical and histopathological changes of the nasal mucosa induced by occupational exposure to sulphuric acid mists

Assessment of the lung function status of the goldsmiths working in an unorganized sector of India

Context:

Exposure to various types of fumes and gases are very common in Jewelery industries. No Report is available regarding the effects of those fumes and gases on the respiratory functions of the goldsmiths. Due to lack of proper monitoring of the workplace environments in these unorganized sectors, workers get very much affected by the occupational exposures to those irritants.

Aims:

The present study aimed to investigate whether the occupational exposures to fumes and gases might alter the lung functions of the goldsmiths.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 118 goldsmiths and 66 unexposed control subjects were taken randomly for the study. The goldsmiths were further classified in 3 groups according to duration (year) of exposures in the work environment, ETA₁ (less than 5 years), ETA₂ (more than 5 years but less than 10 years), and ETA₃ (more than 10 years). Peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR), forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory flow rates of different intervals (FEF_25%, FEF_50%, FEF_75%, FEF_25-75%) were measured using computerized Spirometer (Maestros Mediline, India). The statistical analyses were carried out using Minitab software version 3.

Results:

Lung functions of the goldsmiths significantly (P < 0.01) decreased from that of the control group. Inter-group comparison also showed the deteriorations of lung functions was associated with exposure time, and more exposed workers had significantly less (P < 0.01) efficiencies of lung functions.

Conclusions:

Workplace fumes and gases were responsible for deterioration of the lung function status of the goldsmiths.

Categorizing nasal septal perforations of occupational origin as cases of corrosive rhinitis

BACKGROUND

In clinical practice a perforation of the nasal septum secondary to an occupational exposure to corrosive chemicals is not considered a sequel of rhinitis.

METHODS

Relevant articles published in the last 26 years were searched and retrieved from PubMed.

RESULTS

Patients with nasal septal perforations of occupational origin show a history of rhinitis with a gradual installation of symptoms and damage of the nasal mucosa progressing to ulceration and ultimately to perforation of the nasal septum.

CONCLUSION

Patients with nasal septal perforations of occupational origin exhibit the clinical and histopathological features of rhinitis whereby they should be categorized as rhinitics. This rhinitis should be considered as a type of irritant-induced occupational rhinitis and classified as corrosive rhinitis.

Correlation of rhinoscopic signs of inflammation with histologic findings in nasal biopsy specimens of cats with or without upper respiratory tract disease

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the correlation of cumulative rhinoscopic findings of hyperemia, mucus accumulation, and turbinate destruction with the type and severity of inflammatory infiltrates in nasal biopsy specimens of cats with or without upper respiratory tract disease.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

ANIMALS

Cats with (n = 11) and without (6) upper respiratory tract disease and cats with unknown medical histories (27). PROCEDURES; Lesions of hyperemia, mucus accumulation, and turbinate destruction detected rhinoscopically were each scored (scale, 0 [absent] to 3 [severe]), and a cumulative rhinoscopic score for each nasal cavity was calculated. Fifty biopsy specimens were examined histologically, and inflammatory infiltrates (lymphoplasmacytic or neutrophilic) were graded as absent, mild, moderate, or severe. Cumulative rhinoscopic scores and inflammation grades were compared for each specimen-cavity combination.

RESULTS

In cats of known disease status, there was a positive but weak correlation between cumulative rhinoscopic scores and inflammation grades in biopsy specimens. In cats of unknown disease status, there was no similar correlation. Biopsy specimens with minimal inflammation were commonly obtained from nasal cavities with low rhinoscopic scores; specimens with moderate or severe inflammatory changes were frequently obtained from cavities that appeared normal rhinoscopically. Type of inflammatory infiltrates was not correlated with rhinoscopic signs of inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The correlation of rhinoscopic findings with inflammation severity in nasal biopsy specimens (determined histologically) was weak or lacking in cats of known and unknown disease status, respectively. Results indicated that rhinoscopy with biopsy provides more complete evaluation of nasal disease than rhinoscopy alone in cats.