Respiratory functions of the people orking in solid waste storage centers in Istanbul Istanbul'da kati atik depolama merkezlerinde çalisan kisilerde solunum fonksiyonlari

Objective: Solid storage sanitarian workers are exposed to many chemical and physical hazards. The aim of this study is to find out the environmental effects of the work-places on the respiratory functions of the people working in solid waste storage centers. Material and Method: This cross-sectional study took place in Istanbul. It involved 592 solid waste sanitarian workers who worked in ten different storage areas. The study was carried out between October, 2006 and February, 2007. After the basic physical examination, respiratory functions were measured by Spirometer and the workers questioned about asthma. Moreover, the atmosphere of the working areas in the factories was assessed microbiologically. Results: The study group of 592 workers consisted of 592 (100%) males. The mean age of the workers involved in the study was 38.5±8.1 and their average working year 4.7±3.9. Microorganisms were reproduced in different areas at different rates. Among the workers who were given a physical examination, wheeze, rhonchus and signs of bronchial obstruction were detected in 125 (21.1%) people. The number of people with indications of obstruction was 188 (31.8%). Types of the fungi isolated from ten different areas in the ambient air: Aspergillius sp (78.8%), Cladosporium sp (12.1%), Penicillium sp (5.5%), Alternaria sp (4.4%), Rhizopus sp (2.7%), Tricoderma sp (1.1%), Fusarium sp (0.9%) formed flora. Conclusion: It is concluded that solid waste storage workers are at risk of developing both acute and chronic respiratory symptoms as well as ventilator capacity impairment as a result of occupational biological exposures