Association between Occupational Exposure to Mineral Dust and Blood Lipid Parameters

Background: Epidemiological studies have shown a change in blood biochemical parameters due to short and long exposure to airborne particles. Long Exposure to airborne particles can increase the risk of blood lipid disorders through oxidative stress. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between respiratory exposure with inhaled particles and blood lipid parameters in workers of a ceramic tile factory. Methods: In this descriptiveanalytical study, a sample size based on similar studies and Cochran formula, 128 healthy workers (77 exposed and 51 unexposed) were estimated in the age range of 24-40 years and randomly selected from among the factory workers. Sampling of the breathing region of all individuals was performed to determine the concentration of respirable particles based on the NIOSH_0600 method. Blood lipid parameters of people having cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, and LDL were measured using standard methods. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Results: The Mean of exposure to respirable particles in different units were 73.29 ± 7.75 mg / m3 and lower than standard (3 mg / m3). In this study, the levels of triglyceride and HDL were higher in the exposed group and the mean of these two parameters were statistically different. There was no correlation between lipid parameters and density of respirable particles and work experience (P value 0.05); however, the body mass index had a positive correlation with cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL. Moreover, cholesterol and triglycerides showed a positive correlation with systolic hypertension. Conclusion: Exposure to particles has relationship with levels of lipidrelated markers factors and can change the level of some of the lipid parameters. Therefore, protecting workers in units with high levels of dust and constant efforts to train and supervise workers to enhance safety and monitoring the proper and consistent use of these equipment is essential.