LAUSR

Occupational exposure to aluminum has been reported to be related to the development of many different lung diseases. This study aimed to compare the employees of a factory producing Al profile with controls working in the same workplace in terms of working conditions, respiratory complaints, pulmonary function tests and urine Al levels. Objective This prospective case-control study aimed to investigate the forms and conditions of respiratory effects in workers working in an Aluminum Profile Factory. Methods All male (42 person, mean age: 32.2 ± 6.9) workers working in an Aluminum Profile Factory were compared with 33 controls. Results The urinary aluminum levels of the workers were significantly higher than the control group. Complaints of cough, sputum, shortness of breath and wheezing were statistically significantly higher than the control group. In aluminum workers, those with dyspnea had a significantly higher urinary Al level than those without dyspnea. Conclusions It is thought that primary and secondary prevention are both important in the workplaces with aluminum exposure. Urinary aluminum level monitoring could be key to protecting the respiratory health of the workers.