Background Several cases of bronchial asthma have been presenting with acute attacks during the seasons of apricot sulfurization. The aim of this study was to reveal the effects of sulfur dioxide (SO2) exposure on the airways of the workers involved in this process.
Methods SO2 levels in air were measured on 15 apricot farms, while the symptom scores of 69 workers were recorded before, during, and after SO2 exposure. Physical examination and pulmonary function tests (PFT) of the workers were also done prior to and after exposure periods.
Results The measured SO2 concentrations ranged between 106.6 and 721.0 ppm. Dyspnea (80%), cough (78%), and eye and nose irritation (83-70%) were the most commonly observed symptoms. The workers had significant decreases in pulmonary functions after SO2 exposure. Decrements in FEV1, FEV1/FVC%, and FEF25-75% showed that the acute effect of SO2 on pulmonary functions of the workers was mostly of obstructive pattern.
Conclusions Acute exposure to SO2 induces "asthma-like syndrome" (ALS) in apricot sulfurization workers. SO2 which has not been previously reported in agricultural environments as a cause of ALS may be considered as a new agent. (C) 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.(dagger).