DOI: 10.36347/sasjm.2015.v01i04.009

Pages: Page: 166-171

The association between lung cancer and smoking was well established, but the link between lung cancer and automotive maintenance mechanics air pollution still uncertain. To define the link between automotive maintenance mechanics and lung epithelial atypical changes, we assessed using cytological method; cytological changes in sputum specimens. Methods: Sputum samples were collected from 150 apparently healthy volunteers, living in the city of Hail north of Saudi Arabia. Of the 150 participants, 100 were workers in automotive maintenance mechanics in the industrial area (ascertained as Cases) and 50 were non-exposed (ascertained as Controls).Results: Cytological atypia was detected in 2/100(2%)of the cases and none in the controls. The adjusted Odd Ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval was found to be 2.5635 (0.1208 to 54.4163), P value = 0.5459. Metaplasia was identified among 9/100 (9%) of the cases and 4/50(8%) of the controls. For the metaplasia among cases, the adjusted OR and the 95% confidence interval was found to be 0.75(0.2517 to 2.2351), P value = 0.517. The risk of atypia and metaplasia was found to increase with increase of exposure and these were found to be statistically significant P value < 0.009, respectively. Conclusion: Exposure to automotive maintenance mechanics was associated with risks for developing dysplasia and high risks of development of metaplasia. Sputum cytology may provide a suitable technique for the assessment of lung epithelial atypical changes.