en Pulmonary effects associated with occupational exposure to nickel in ceramic workers تخصصي Special پژوهشي Research <strong>Background:</strong> Nickel (Ni) compounds are used as pigments in ceramic glazes.<br> <strong>Methods:</strong> This cross-sectional study was performed on 49 ceramic workers occupationally exposed to nickel and 55 office workers without a history of occupational exposure to nickel (reference group). Urine samples were collected from 49 workers at both pre- and post-shift (98 samples). The reference group was examined only once (55 samples). Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) was used for sample preparation. Analyses were performed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES).<br> &nbsp;<br> Information about smoking habits, overtime work, work history, skin dermatitis, kind of job, using mask, ventilation system, age, weight, and height was collected through questionnaires. The lung function tests were performed on each reference and exposed group by vitalograph spirometer. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to evaluate the data.<br> &nbsp;<br> <strong>Results:</strong> The data demonstrated that Ni concentration in the exposed workers was significantly higher than that in the reference group. Parameters of pulmonary function in the exposed group were significantly lower than those of the reference group (P <0.001). Those using the mask also exhibited a significantly lower Ni concentration than those not using mask.<br> &nbsp;<br> <strong>Conclusion:</strong><br> These findings indicate that exposure to Ni is associated with significant decrements in the pulmonary function parameters. <strong>Background:</strong> Nickel (Ni) compounds such as nickel oxide are used as pigments in ceramic industries. The toxicity of nickel can occur in the glaze preparation processes. This study aimed to ascertain whether exposure to Ni dust is associated with pulmonary response. <strong>Methods:</strong> This cross-sectional study was performed on 49 ceramic workers (exposed group) occupationally exposed to nickel dust, as well as 55 unexposed employees (referent group). Information about smoking habits, overtime work, length of employment, skin dermatitis, job title, use of respiratory protection equipment, ventilation system, age, and BMI index were collected through questionnaires. The parameters of pulmonary function were measured. Urine samples were taken from 49 workers at both pre- and post-shift (98 samples). The referent group was examined only once (55 samples). To determine the nickel, the samples were pre-concentrated by Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) and analyzed using&nbsp; inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). <strong>Results:</strong> Urinary Ni value in the exposed workers was significantly higher than that in the referent group. All pulmonary function parameters in the exposed group were significantly lower than those of the referent group (<em>P</em><0.001). Those using respiratory protection equipment also exhibited a significantly lower urinary Ni concentration than those not using respiratory protection equipment. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> These findings indicate that exposure to Ni in the ceramic industry is higher than the recommended biological exposure index and is associated with a significant decrement in the pulmonary function parameters Ceramic workers, Nickel, Spirometry, Urine Ceramic workers, Nickel, Spirometry, Urine, Biological monitoring 891 895 http://aoh.ssu.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-125-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Fatemeh Kargar-Shouroki kargar_st@yahoo.com 0000-0002-8700-5087 No Occupational Health Research Center, Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran 2 Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 3 Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Seyed Jamaleddin Shahtaheri shahtaheri@tums.ac.ir 0000-0002-3205-966X Yes Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Abolfazle Barkhordari 0000-0003-1029-7250 No Occupational Health Research Center, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran Niloufar Halvani 0000-0003-0973-6180 No Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran