Abstract
We investigated whether metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) values in
induced sputum (IS) and pulmonary function tests can serve
as a marker of damage and intensity of exposure to hazardous dust.
Thirty-nine factory employees (28 workers exposed to metal
particles and 11 supposedly nonexposed office workers) underwent
IS induction. Samples were processed by conventional methods
within 2 hours. The proportion of particles with diameters of
0–2