Capacidade cardiorrespiratória em indivíduos com exposição ocupacional à fumaça de biomassa

Abstract

Abstract: The burning of biomass fuel releases particulate matter, metals, gases and is 50 times more polluting than the sources that use liquefied petroleum gas, that creates numerous health problems and, among them, respiratory ones. The objective of this study was to investigate the cardiorespiratory capacity of individuals exposed the workplace to smoke inhalation from biomass burning. It is an observational, control-type case study. Thirty-two individuals participated the study, aged between 21 and 65 years old, and according to the exposure to exposed (n = 15) and non-exposed (n = 17). Smoking subjects, diagnosis of pulmonary and / or cardiovascular disease, anatomical deformities of chest or spine, and orthopedic problems that compromised the performance of the walking test were excluded. Antropometric and issues related to exposure, physical activity level, thoracic-abdominal expansibility (cirtometry), walking distance in the 6-minute test (6MWD) and spirometric variables were collected. The exposure time was 20.3±18,84 years, mean daily exposure of 5.53±1,95 hours, the barbecue profession was predominant. The means of forced vital capacity (FVC) 3,88±1,26, forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) 3,11±0,82, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) 7,07±2,58, were significantly lower in the exposed group. Active individuals were predominant, thoraco-abdominal expansibility with no difference between groups, significantly lower DTC6 in those exposed. There was a correlation of the 6MWD with FEV1 (r= 0,53) and with the Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) (r=0,40). The results obtained in the study indicate that exposure to biomass smoke can lead to impairment of lung function and physical performance.