Arbak, Peri MeramKarataş, NaciyeBalbay, Ege GüleçPak, SalihBalbay, Öner AbidinAnnakkaya, Ali NihatÖzşahin, Sefa L.2020-04-302020-04-3020111840-22911986-8103https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12684/4396Annakkaya, Ali Nihat N/0000-0002-7661-8830; Balbay, Ege Gulec/0000-0002-1557-7019WOS: 000287819600022Introduction: To investigate the effects of hazelnut exposure on pulmonary functions in a cross-sectional study on hazelnut processing workers. Materials-methods: One hundred fifty hazelnut workers (137 females and 13 males), and seventy controls (63 females and 7 males) were included. A questionnaire regarding the respiratory symptoms was given to all subjects. Standard pre-shift and post-shift forced expiratory pulmonary functions were obtained from all participitants by spirometry. Furthermore, dust particles were measured according to their sizes. Results: The occurences of common respiratory complaints as cough (8%) and dyspnea (6%) were significantly higher in hazelnut workers than the controls (p=0.009 and p=0.029, respectively). Both of the pre-shift and post-shift spirometric values of hazelnut workers were significantly lower than those of controls. Post-shift FVC (2738.9 +/- 652.2) was significantly lower than pre-shift FVC (2765.8 +/- 634.8) in hazelnut workers (p=0.024). Nine hazelnut (6.0%) workers have shown a decrease of more than 10% in post shift FEV 1 whereas none of the controls have had abnormal decrease in post shift values (p=0.060). Conclusion: A significant deterioration in both restrictive and obstructive pulmonary functions was observed in hazelnut workers. Preventive measures against dusty workplaces should be undertaken to protect the respiratory health of hazelnut workers.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessHazelnut workerspulmonary functionsArticle51165172WOS:000287819600022Q4