Health Effects of Shooting and Blasting Exercise: A Short-Term Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVE

Respiratory complaints during indoor training among elite professional soldiers.

METHODS

During a 4-hour period (3 × 15 minutes), 18 male healthy nonsmoking Whites practiced enemy neutralization and building security. At each session, 65-246 blanks and dummy hand grenades were used, and there was no respiratory protection. Each soldier underwent blood sampling and spirometry testing before and after the training session and monitored own exposure.

RESULTS

The mean (range) exposure of total dust was 18.1 (6.0-25.5) mg/m 3 ; Cu, 17.4 (9.4-28.4) μg/m 3 ; and Zn, 165.1 (63.4-328.7) μg/m 3 . Mean (95% CI) postvalues for forced expiratory volume after 1 second and forced vital capacity were -130 mL (-180; -80) and -120 mL (-170; -70) lower than the corresponding prevalues. Blood concentration of neutrophils increased from 48% to 57%.

CONCLUSION

Respiratory protection equipment is recommended in future indoor training sessions.