Spirometric Findings in TNT Factory Workers Compared with Unexposed Controls

Background: Trinitrotoluene (TNT) is one of the most well-known and oldest explosive agents. In the recent decade, bioenvironmental, biochemical, and biological effects of TNT exposure have been more in the spotlight. In this study, we aimed to evaluate spirometric parameters in workers of a TNT factory exposed to TNT and other related fumes and dusts compared with the unexposed controls. Methods: In this case-control study, spirometry was done for TNT factory workers (cases) and matched healthy controls, and their results were compared with each other. Matched controls were selected from workers who worked in the same geographic area without any history of TNT or other chemical materials exposure. Spirometric studies were done during the early hours of day. Results: Overall, 90 subjects (47 TNT exposed cases and 43 controls) were included. The two groups showed no significant difference in demographic characteristics and smoking habits. In spirometry, it was found that the cases had significantly lower forced vital capacity (91.4 ± 13.7% vs. 100.2 ± 13.0%, P = 0.002), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (98.0 ± 14.9% vs. 104.7 ± 12.5%, P = 0.024) and peak expiratory flow (98.4 ± 17.3% vs. 107.9 ± 21.7%, P = 0.025) compared with controls. According to spirometric findings, 10 cases (21.3%) and no controls had restrictive pattern, which means TNT factory workers had 1.27 (CI: 1.09-1.47, P = 0.001) fold risk for development of restrictive patterns. Conclusion: Chronic exposure to TNT or prolonged working in TNT factories may predispose the workers to respiratory disorders. In addition to regular screening programs, preventive measures and devices should be considered for TNT factory workers to reduce the harms.