Abstract

Introduction: Working at high-altitude involves the exposition to hypobaric hypoxia which is harmful to the exposed individuals’ health and productivity. The purpose of this study is the implementation of personalized oxygen administration during work at a mining site. Methods: The studywas carried out in Chile, at a mine site located at approximately 4000m. Twelve symptomatic workers were selected, using the Lake Louis questionnaire. They received oxygen 12 hours a day during two weeks, while they worked, by means of a CAIRE’s SPIRIT portable device. Oxygen was delivered through a nasal cannula, at a flow enough to obtain transcutaneous saturation over 93 %. Symptoms and satisfaction with its use were assessed and pulse oximetry was carried out during the administration period. Results: Six workers used the oxygen over 50% of the programmed time. Several workers discontinued their use for logistical and cultural issues; those who continued using the oxygen, appeared particularly satisfied. There were problems of nasal irritation and epistaxis. Conclusion: The personalized administration of oxygen presents logistic and technical improvable problems and cultural problems that require further evaluation to correct them. A group of workers clearly seems to benefit from its use, in spite of the problems met. Further studies concerning this aspect are required.