Respiratory symptoms and lung function in garage workers and taxi drivers

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of some respiratory s ymptoms and possible diseases among occupationally exposed garage workers a nd taxi drivers. This study involved 158 garage workers and 165 taxi driver s, matched For age, sex, nationality and duration of employment. The mean a ge of 158 Indian subcontinent garage workers was 34.4+/-10.4 years; their m ean height and weighs were 167.7+/-6.6 cm and 72.0+/-12.3 kg respectively, and the mean duration of employment garage workers was 8.8+/-7.6 years. The mean age of 165 Indian subcontinent male taxi drivers was 34.5+/-7.7 years ; their mean height and weight were 168.7+/-6.1 cm and 71.3+/-12.6 kg respe ctively; and the mean duration of employment was 7.5+/-5.4 years. The data on chronic respiratory symptoms showed that garage workers had higher preva lence of symptoms than taxi drivers, being significantly greater for chroni c phlegm, (p<0.007); dyspneoa (p<0.001]; and sinusitis (p<0.03). A higher p revalence of all acute symptoms was recorded in garage workers than in taxi drivers, although the differences were significant only for throat (p<0.02 ), hearing problems (p<0.002); nose (dryness, bleeding and secretion) (p<0. 008); and low back pain (p<0.05). Almost all forced spirometric tests in th e exposed garage workers were lower than in taxi drivers. The results of st epwise multiple regression analysis showed that only phlegm, sinusitis, hea ring problems, nasal catarrh, throat, low back pain, smoking and FEF25-75, variables were statistically significant predictors as risk factors. In con clusion, the present study suggests that a high prevalence of respiratory s ymptoms is associated with exposure to motor vehicle exhaust emission in ga rage working places. Long-term working as garage workers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), may be associated with the development of chronic respirat ory symptoms and have effects on their daily life and health.