Structured Abstract Objective Respiratory complaints during indoor training among elite professional soldiers. Methods During a four-hour period (3*15 min) eighteen male healthy non-smoking Caucasians practiced enemy neutralization and building security. At each session 65-246 blanks and dummy hand grenades were used and 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) ug/m 3 and Zn 165.1 (63.4–328.7) ug/m 3 . Mean (95% CI) post-values for Forced Expiratory Volume after 1 second and Forced Vital Capacity were -130 mL (-180; -80) and -120 mL (-170; -70) lower than corresponding pre-values. Blood concentration of neutrophils increased from 48% to 57%. Conclusion Respiratory protection equipment is recommended in future indoor training sessions.
Würtz et al. (Mon,) studied this question.