Nasal Mucociliary Clearance in Coal Mine Workers

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of coal dust particles on nasal mucociliary function in coal mine workers.

METHOD: Using the saccharin method, nasal mucociliary clearance was determined for 77 subjects, of which 39 who worked in a coal mine were actively exposed to coal dust whereas 38 were unexposed control subjects. The measurements were performed in the coal mine, at the level of 170 m below sea level.

RESULTS: The average saccharin nasal transit time in coal mine workers, 12.61 (SD: 4.30) minutes, is longer than that of the control subjects, 10.97 (SD: 3.22).

CONCLUSION: Although the findings of this study demonstrate that the coal particles affect the nasal mucociliary clearance, the difference in saccharin nasal transit time between the two groups (exposed vs unexposed) is not statistically significant (P = 0.063). (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2004;130: 767-9.)