Abstract

Background
There were debates on the relationship between peak expiratory fl ow (PEF) and oil spill cleanup activity. The aim of this study was to compare the distinction of PEF among pre-works and post-works in Hebei Spirit oil. Methods: The study subjects were participators of cleanup works. The questionaire on symptoms was done. And PEF was measured. The subjects were sampled on random basis. We then used a logistic regression analysis to evaluate the effects of cleanup works on PEF. Results: Only 66 (35.3%) participants versus 121 showed with low values in PEF before cleanup works. But, 78 (80.1%) participants versus 20 significantly showed with low values in PEF after cleanup works (P = 0.002). On our analysis, measuring their own PEF after cleanup works (Odds ratio [OR], 2.328; 95% confi dence interval [CI], 1.218 to 6.624), female gender (OR, 5.841; 95% CI, 3.571 to 9.557), the number of working days on cleanup activities (OR, 2.760; 95% CI, 1.364 to 7.900), and residents (OR, 4.610; 95% CI, 2.488 to 8.544) were shown to be signifi cant risk factors for low value of peak expiratory fl ow. Conclusion: Our results suggest that exposure to petroleum in cleanup works are associated with a signifi cant low value in PEF. But, the heterogeneity of pre-works and post-works groups is a limitation of the study.

• Keywords: Oil Spill Disaster; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; Petroleum; Surveillance; Exposure