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Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function were studied in a cross-sectional survey of 348 Portland cement workers in Jordan. The workers were differently exposed to dust for at least 3 years. The geometric means +/- SE of respiratory cement dust concentrations were 0.5 +/- 2.1, 1.6 +/- 2.61 and 3.9 +/- 4.02 mg/m3 in the three determined levels of exposure, respectively. About 42% of the workers reported various chronic respiratory symptoms, but cough, dyspnea, and asthma were most prevalent (18.7%, 17.5% and 15.8%, respectively). The prevalence of respiratory symptoms did not tend to increase with tenure. Asthma was significantly associated with the age of 30-39 years and showed a proportionate association with exposure level. Smokers had higher rates of symptoms than non-smokers. Rates of cough, phlegm, and wheeze increased proportionally to the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Overall pulmonary function indices were normal. When the independent variables were fit into a regression model, age significantly affected FEV1/FVC and current smoking affected FEF25-75%. It is concluded that inhalation of cement dust irritates the respiratory tree without markedly affecting lung function, and smoking aggravates this effect.

Health risk from airborne lead exposure were evaluated in 54 trainees and 31 firearm instructors at two indoor firing ranges in Amman, Jordan. Airborne lead concentration was measured during shooting sessions of conventional lead ammunition. Venous blood was collected from the trainees, instructors and controls. The levels of blood lead (PbB) and the activity of amino levulinic acid dehydrogenase (ALAD) were measured. High concentrations of air lead that markedly exceeded the internationally adopted safe exposure levels were found on both ranges. Despite the absence of symptoms of lead poisoning, there was a significantly higher PbB in the instructors (19 +/- 7 micrograms/dl) and trainees (22.9 +/- 4.6 micrograms/dl) than in the controls (2.1 +/- 1.4 micrograms/dl). Furthermore, the activity of ALAD was significantly lower in both groups (29.2 +/- 1.3, 18.9 +/- 1.2 U/L, respectively) than in the controls (47.5 +/- 1.1 U/L) indicating a subcritical lead effect. In the trainees, levels of PbB rose from a pre-training mean of 2.2 to 22.9 micrograms/dl and the activity of ALAD decreased from 46.9 to 18.9 U/L. It is concluded that indoor firing range users are at risk of lead absorption and intoxication and, therefore, periodic biological monitoring of the frequent users of firing ranges is highly recommended. Environmental hygienic actions to control excessive emissions of lead on the ranges are also imperative.