In Vitro Assessment of Pulmonary Exposure of the Packing Workers with Arsenic in Cement Industry

Background: Exposure to chemicals and air pollutants is an important factor of health threat for workers. The present study was conducted with the aim to investigate the relationship between Arsenic metal ions in the air and that of extracted from simulated alveolar fluid. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, personal and environmental sampling was performed according to OSHA standard ο and leaching testing was conducted in similar conditions of the lungs [pH=7.4, temp. 37 c, Co2=5 %] to measure the rate of solubility. Measurement was done by means of the atomic absorption apparatus, Model Spec AA 220 with a graphite furnace Model GTA 110. Data processing was done by using the SPSS statistical software. Results: The concentration of arsenic metal ion in the air was 0.0078±0.0014 mg/m3. That is lower than the allowable rate (0.01 mg/m3). The amount of metal ions in sustained particles of the environment air was 51.4±4.68 µg/g dust and that of extracted with simulated alveolar fluid in extra corporeal condition was 0.013±0.004 µg/g dust. Pearson correlation test did not reveal any significant relationship between them (p 0.05). Conclusions: Since there was no significant relationship between arsenic metal ion in the air and that of extracted from alveolar fluid and also the solubility of this metal ion depends on many factors, therefore, these findings can be the basis of further deep and precise studies in future.