a study of changes in ventilatory capacity of workers employed in vegetable oil refineres in tehran

lung function tests were performed in 122 workers of vegetable oil refineries in tehran area. the results show an increase in respiratory impairment with age and length of exposure. among the four indices of lung function that were calculated, fev1 %fvc and fef 25-75% pfef 25-75 showed the greatest decrease with age and length of exposure, while fvc% pfvc and fev1% pfev1 were essentially within the normal range. these findings correspond with a state of chronic bronchospastic condition in these workers who are exposed to cotton and other dusts.