Olfactory Function in Chromium Exposed Workers Without Nasal Septum Perforation

Choi, Jae Wook; Lee, Soung Hee; Choi, Yeon Kuk; Lee, Eun Il; Kim, Hae Joon

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The chrome-induced olfactory alterations is caused by inhalation of chromic acid, a highly corrossive and toxic materials. And nasal septum perforation(NSP) has been suspected with possible causative factor of olfactory alterations. To our knowledge, there has been no report of the detailed findings of the olfactory alterations in chrome exposed subjects without nasal septum perforation(NSP). So we present the results of olfactory function test measured by T&T olfactometer and olfactometer perception test among chromium exposed workers without NSP.
METHODS
We performed this study in 25 study subjects and 25 control subjects matched with age, alcohol and smoking. All of subjects are man. We performed olfactory function test measured by T&T olfactometer and olfactometer perception test.
RESULTS
1) The age distribution of the subjects involved in this study was from 20 to 54 years old (average 33.3 years old) and the mean duration exposed to chromium was from 64. 9 months. 2) The olfactory function was checked by detection and recognition thresholds in five odorants. The detection thresholds of exposed group dealing with chromium were significantly increased in A and B ordorants than nonexposed group. The recognition thresholds of exposed group were significantly increased in D ordorants than nonexposed group. 3) The mean threshold of olfactometer perception test of exposed group were more increased than nonexposed group. But thresholds difference did not show statistical significance, 4) The detection thresholds of A and D ordorants, recognition threshold of C ordorants and thresholds of olfactometer perception test were increased in the relation with duration of chrome exposure.
CONCLUSIONS
There has been no remarkable alterations in olfactory sense (TkT olfactometer and Olfactometer Perception Test) in subjects without nasal septum perforation(NSP) exposed to chromic acid.