The Correlation Between Length of Work and Nasal Mucociliary Transport Time of Gas/Fuel Station Workers.

Gasoline contains toxic substances such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (BTEX) that negatively influence gas/fuel station workers' health via continuous inhalation, causing loss of cilia and epithelial cell necrosis of the nasal mucosa. The aim of this study is to determine the correlation between length of work with nasal mucociliary transport time (NMCTT) of the gas/fuel station workers This study used a cross sectional design. The data were obtained from anamnesis, physical and NMCTT examinations of gas station workers in Yogyakarta, during November 2013. Inclusion criteria were: 1) 18-55 years old, 2) free of nasal topical medication for 10 days. Exclusion criterion: 1) acute rhinitis, 2) chronic sinusitis, 3) ever had nasal trauma, 4) ever had nasal surgery, 5) allergic rhinitis, and/or 6) septal deviation. Correlation analyses between length of work and NMCTT of gas station workers used Spearman correlation test with α 5% level of significance (p < 0.05). From 38 subjects, 27 (71.1%) were men and 11 (28.9%) women. Median length of work was 7.37 years, and NMCTT: 10.84 ± 5.60 minutes. Spearman's correlation test results between length of work and NMCTT showed (R): 0.578 (p = 0.001). Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that there is a positive correlation between length of work with NMCTT of gas station workers.