Lung function and nasal mucociliary clearance in Brazilian sugarcane cutters exposed to biomass burning

Abstract

Objective:

to evaluate the effects of sugarcane burning on lung function and mucociliary clearance in sugarcane workers.

Methods:

sixteen sugarcane workers were evaluated in two sequential periods: during the non-harvest season, in April/2011, and during the sugarcane burning harvest season, in October/2011. Mean values (standard deviation) of lung function and mucociliary clearance were evaluated through spirometry and the saccharin transit time (STT) test, respectively.

Results:

lung function decreased %FEF_25-75 [99.31 (23.79) to 86.36 (27.41); p = 0.001]; %FEV₁ [92.19 (13.24) to 90.44 (12.76); p = 0.022]; and FEV₁/FVC [88.62 (5.68) to 84.90 (6.47); p = 0.004] during the harvest season compared with the non-harvest season. A significant decrease was found in saccharin transit time during the harvest [3 (1) min] season compared with the non-harvest season [8 (3) min] (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

sugarcane workers present a decrease in %FEF_25-75, %FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC ratio, and increase in nasal mucociliary transport velocity at the end of the harvest season.

Keywords:
rural worker; occupational health; mucociliary clearance; spirometry