Evaluation of the carbon monoxide levels in staff of a general hospital

Abstract

Backgrounds and Objective: Exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) can be harmful to human health and the first effects of intoxication may go unnoticed. Our objective was to evaluate the functional capacity and respiratory muscle strength of staff of a general hospital opposite the inhalation of carbon monoxide. Methods: cross-sectional study with a convenience sample. It was used as evaluation tools: clinical research roadmap; the MicroCO for analysis of CO concentration, CO cutoff for non-smokers among 1- 6ppm, light smokers 7-10ppm, moderate smokers 11-20ppm and heavy smokers >20ppm; the manometer to determine the respiratory muscle strength (MIP and MEP); Six minute walk test (6MWT) to evaluate functional capacity. Statistical analysis was performed hair Pearson correlation test to verify the association of variables. Results:The study included 14 volunteer subjects (08 men), mean age 35.14±8,76years, working in maintenance (n=5); laundry (n=6); kitchen (n=1); engineering (n=2) of the hospital. For active smokers only 03 subjects were above the cutoff (CO>6ppm) then being considered active smokers. The MIP (99.50±27.37% predicted) and MEP (105.64±21,39% predicted) are within normal parameters. The functional capacity of smokers (6MWT=71% of predicted), with high CO (17ppm), underperformed the baseline when compared with nonsmokers (CO=0,9ppm; 6MWT=92, 6% predicted). Moderate and negative correlation was observed between 6MWT and CO (r=-0.577, p=0.031). Conclusion: adult staff of a general hospital with preserved respiratory muscle strength and higher levels of CO exhaled have worse functional performance in the 6MWT. KEYWORDS:Muscle Strength. Carbon Monoxide.Occupational Health.Public Health.