Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in mill workers exposed to wood dust

This study surveyed wood dust exposure levels and pulmonary hazards among wood mill workers. Dust concentrations as measured by six-stage cascade impactors were high in work areas of grinding and screening. Total dust concentrations for these dusty activities ranged from 4.4 to 22.4 mg/m³, and the respirable proportions were between 2.4% and 50.2%. The dust level in the sawing work was 2.9 mg/m³. Although symptoms of cough and phlegm were higher in smoking workers than in nonsmoking workers, the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the exposed workers was not significantly higher than in the controls. However, the incidence of symptoms such as chronic phlegm and chronic bronchitis in the nonsmoking high-exposure workers was significantly higher than in nonsmoking controls. The mean values of MMF, PEFR, and FEF25% were significantly lower in the exposed workers than in controls for both smokers and nonsmokers. The pulmonary function deficits, with the exception of FEV1.0/FVC, also showed a significant trend with increasing levels of wood dusts exposure classified by job titles for both smokers and nonsmokers. After adjustment for age, sex, height, and smoking status, all parameters of pulmonary function were significantly lower in exposed workers than in controls and showed a declining trend with increasing exposure levels classified by job titles. These results indicate that high level of wood dust exposure in the wood mill industries may lead to pulmonary hazards. Engineering control and industrial hygiene are mandatory for dusty activities. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

接触木尘工人与脱尘工人肺功能的配对研究

为深入研究木尘对接尘工人肺功能的影响，我们按照配对设计原则，对某厂木型车间接触木尘工人与脱离木尘作业工人分别进行了肺通气功能的配对比较分析。结果表明，无论是接尘组工人，还是离尘组工人，其ＦＶＣ、ＦＥＶ１、ＭＭＦ、Ｖ５０与Ｖ２５等肺功能各项指标的实测值，均较对照组明显降低，且多具有显著的统计学意义。累计接尘量与肺功能各指标实测值／预计值百分比间存在着一定的剂量－反应关系，即随着累计接尘量增加肺功能损害加重。多因素分析显示：累计接尘量是致接尘工人肺功能下降的主要因素。提示接尘工人、脱离木尘作业工人肺通气功能的损害与木尘有关。     

职业接触岩棉对肺通气功能及呼吸系统症状的影响

目的探讨职业性接触岩棉对肺通气功能及呼吸系统症状的影响。方法选择70名岩棉生产和加工人员作为接触组,51名空气分离企业的劳动者作为对照组。进行现场职业卫生学调查,对所有调查对象进行肺通气功能健康检查和呼吸系统症状问卷调查。结果接触组中所有岗位每班接触的纤维浓度均<1f/ml,生产线操作工和深加工班操作工每班接触的总粉尘浓度>3mg/m3。接触组FVC%和FEV1.0/FVC%均数低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);接触组中3个不同接触工龄组FVC%、FEV1.0%和FEV1.0/FVC%均数比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。限制性通气功能障碍是岩棉致肺通气功能损害的主要类型,与接触工龄呈线性趋势关系(P<0.05),与吸烟未显示有关联性(P>0.05),吸烟与岩棉未显示具有联合作用(P>0.05)。接触组与对照组呼吸系统症状比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论长期接触低纤维浓度水平的岩棉,仍能够损害劳动者的肺通气功能,应控制其总粉尘浓度的接触水平。     

Lung function and respiratory symptoms among workers in a soft paper mill

Summary The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate whether long-term exposure to soft paper dust causes impairment of lung function. Exposed workers (n = 287) and referents (n =79) were investigated, using spirometry and questionnaires. Personal samplings of total dust showed that the actual mean concentrations did not exceed 3 mg/m³. The exposed subjects were divided into three categories according to historical and present exposure to paper dust; low exposure, moderate exposure and high exposure. The study did not show any lung function impairment due to exposure to paper dust. However, the exposed subjects had a significantly increased prevalence of symptoms from both the upper and lower airways as well as an increased prevalence of reported asthma. On the basis of our study, we conclude that lung function impairment does not occur among workers exposed to mean levels of soft paper dust below 5 mg/m³.     

Respiratory symptoms and lung function in wool textile workers

Our study investigated a group of 216 wool textile workers (158 women and 58 men). Respiratory symptoms were assessed by questionnaire in wool textile workers and in 130 not exposed (control) workers. Ventilatory capacity was measured in wool workers by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves on Monday before and after the work shift. Forced vital capacity (FVC), 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV₁), and flow rates at 50% and the last 25% of the vital capacity (FEF₅₀, FEF₂₅) were measured on the MEFV curves. Analysis of the data demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms in wool workers than in controls. being the highest in wool workers for nasal catarrh (M: 63.8%; F: 44.9%) and for sinusitis (M: 62.1%; F: 43.0%). A high prevalence of acute symptoms, associated with the work shift, was also noted in wool workers. Exposure to wool dust caused significant across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity varying from 1.4% for FEV, to 9.1% for FEF₅₀. Textile workers exposed to wool for > 10 years in the workplace had similar across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity tests as those with shorter exposures. In a large number of these wool workers, FEF₅₀ and FEF₂₅ were below 70% of predicted normal values. Smokers had acute and chronic lung function changes similar to those of nonsmokers, indicating that smoking did not account for all the respiratory effects seen in wool processing workers. Our data suggest that dust exposures in wool textile mills may be associated with the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function.     

广州地区1606名粉尘作业工人的肺功能状况调查

目的明确粉尘暴露、年龄、工龄、吸烟对粉尘作业相关人员肺功能的影响,为尘肺病的防治和管理提供科学依据。方法抽取在广州市第十二人民医院接受体检并做肺功能检查项目的1606名粉尘作业人员作为观察组,同时抽取相同体检情况下的1606名非接尘人员作为参照组进行比较。结果 2组肺功能检查结果比较,观察组FVC为（87.37±10.29）、FEV1.0为（87.39±11.50）、FEV1.0/FVC为（83.57±16.86）,与对照组比较差异均有统计学意义（均P〈0.01））。对照组肺功能异常240例,异常发生率为14.9%;观察组肺功能异常583例,异常发生率为36.3%。其中观察组中水泥粉尘异常率最高（49.5%）,金属粉尘最低（30.3%）。职业粉尘暴露中电焊烟尘、金属粉尘、砂轮磨尘、水泥粉尘、煤尘、其他粉尘暴露均为肺功能异常的危险因素,其OR值及95%CI分别为2.58（2.00,3.33）、2.03（1.57,2.64）、3.16（2.06,5.47）、3.41（1.88,6.20）、2.29（1.35,3.88）、3.07（2.15,4.91）;职业粉尘暴露与工龄、吸烟存在协同作用,可使肺功能异常危险度增加（均P〈0.05）。结论广州地区各种主要粉尘暴露均会造成作业人群的肺功能明显下降,建议积极开展戒烟及针对长工龄作业工人采取更完善的个人监护措施。     

Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function among Chinese rice-granary workers

The authors conducted a cross-sectional study of 474 rice-granary workers and 235 non-granary worker controls in a rural area near Shanghai, the People's Republic of China. Responses to a respiratory-symptom questionnaire and pre- and post-shift spirometry were obtained for all subjects. Area sampling was performed for total and vertically elutriated (相似文献   

Respiratory symptoms associated with sulfur dioxide exposure

Summary Exposures to sulfur dioxide (SO₂) have been associated with progressive, dose-dependent bronchoconstriction in sensitive individuals. The clinical significance of such changes remains poorly characterized. We studied subjective responses following exposure to low level concentrations of SO₂ (< 1 ppm) in a group of 10 healthy and 10 asthmatic subjects. The number and severity of complaints associated with SO₂ increased with concentrations in both healthy and asthmatic subjects. Asthmatics indicated progressive lower respiratory complaints, such as wheezing, chest tightness, dyspnea and cough with increasing levels of SO₂ while healthy subjects complained more frequently of upper airway complaints such as taste and odor with increasing levels of SO₂. Exercise increased the frequency of lower airway symptoms in asthmatics but led to no increases in symptoms in healthy subjects.From the Pulmonary Section, Yale University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 3333, 333 Cedar Street, and the John B. Pierce Foundation Laboratories, New Haven, CT 06510 (203) 785-4165Presented in part at the International Conference on Indoor Air Pollution August 10–24, 1984     

Respiratory symptoms and intensity of occupational dust exposure

Objectives: Occupational exposure to dusts may result in chronic respiratory symptoms. Methods: To investigate the utility of obtaining a history of occupational exposure to dust in US veterans, a respiratory health survey was conducted between 1988 and 1992 in a community-based cohort of US veterans in southeastern Massachusetts that were eligible for Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare benefits but were not regular users. A mail questionnaire was used to obtain a history of cough, phlegm, and wheeze, work in a dusty job, and duration, type, and intensity of dust exposure. Information on cigarette use and other possible confounders was obtained. Results: In 2,617 white men, after the data had been adjusted for cigarette smoking, age, distance to the nearest major roadway, and chronic respiratory disease, the relative odds of chronic cough, chronic phlegm, and persistent wheeze attributable to occupational dust exposure was increased twofold. Risk also increased, based on exposure intensity. For heavy dust exposure the OR was 1.98 (95% CI 1.39–2.81) for chronic cough, 2.82 (95% CI 2.03–3.93) for chronic phlegm, and 2.70 (95% CI 1.95–3.75) for persistent wheeze. Conclusions: After active cigarette smoking and other possible confounders had been considered, it was found that dust exposure was related to respiratory symptoms in US veterans and that the greatest risk was attributable to heavy intensity exposure.Presented in abstract form at the 1994 annual meeting of the American Thoracic Society.     

Respiratory function in greenhouse workers

Summary Respiratory findings were studied in a group of 135 female and 32 male workers employed in greenhouses. In addition 51 women and 30 men were studied as a control group. Exposed women had significantly higher prevalences of chronic cough, dyspnea, chest tightness, and rhinitis (P < 0.01) than the controls. Among the men, only rhinitis was more prevalent in greenhouse workers (P < 0.01) than in controls. Smokers had higher prevalences of all chronic respiratory symptoms than nonsmokers, but the differences were statistically significant only for chronic cough and rhinitis in women and for chronic phlegm in men. There was a high prevalence of acute symptoms during work. A large number of greenhouse workers complained of skin reactions to plants and pesticides (women: 37.8%; men: 34.4%). Workers had significantly lower mean ventilatory capacity measurements (except in the case of forced vital capacity) when compared to standard predicted values. Smokers and nonsmokers had similar values of lung function expressed as percentages of the predicted values. Greenhouse workers exposed for more than 10 years had a significanty lower FEF₂₅, measured as a percentage of the predicted value, than workers exposed for less than 10 years. Our data indicate that occupational exposure to greenhouses may be associated with the development of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and impairment of ventilatory capacity.     

Respiratory symptoms,chronic bronchitis,and ventilatory function in shipyard welders

Summary The prevalence of respiratory symptoms (by standard questionnaire) and the impairment of ventilatory function (vital capacity and FEV_1-O with a bellows spirograph) were investigated in a group of 173 shipyard welders (with more than 5 years experience) in respect to length of exposure and roentgenologic picture. A group of 100 nonwelding shipyard workers served as controls for the prevalence of symptoms. Chronic cough (22%), chronic bronchitis (20%), dyspnea (20%) and wheezing (16%) were more frequent among welders; the difference was significant for the last 2 symptoms only. In contrast, objective (physical) signs were present in equal proportion (14–12%) in both groups. A ventilatory function defect (mostly of the restrictive type) was found in 20% of the welders. The mean FEV_1-0 was significantly decreased in welders with more than 10 years exposure (P相似文献   

A study of the prevalence of respiratory morbidity among agate workers

Summary A random sample of 342 workers engaged in chipping and grinding of agate stones were surveyed in a cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of respiratory morbidity in the agate industry. The findings were compared with those obtained in controls. The study showed a significantly higher prevalence of lung diseases among agate workers than among controls (63.4% vs 35.5%, P < 0.001). The respiratory morbidity in agate workers and controls was maximal in the group aged 31+ years (83.3% and 42.2%, respectively). The prevalence of pneumoconiosis in agate workers (18.4%) was highly significant as compared with controls, in whom not a single case was found (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the prevalence of pneumoconiosis in men and women of the exposed group (17.9% vs 19.6%). Among the cases of pulmonary diseases in agate workers, pneumoconiosis formed the largest group (18.4%), whereas among controls it was tuberculosis (12.1%). The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis was very high in both agate workers and controls (15.5% and 12.1%, respectively), probably because of poor socio-economic and unhygienic living conditions. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis was found to be higher among the control population as compared with the exposed group (6.7% vs 2.6%). It therefore appeared that agate dust had no role in precipitating chronic bronchitis. However, bronchial asthma appeared to have been aggravated due to agate dust, as the risk among agate workers was 7-fold that found among the controls. The prevalence of pneumoconiosis showed a dose-response relationship in both male and female agate workers. Pulmonary tuberculosis and bronchial asthma did not show any significant trend in relation to the duration of exposure. Other lung diseases were also independent of exposure. As far as occupations are concerned, grinders were found to suffer more from pneumoconiosis (21.9%) than did chippers (7.3%, P < 0.05); this was because the respirable dust concentration at the workplace of grinders was 6-fold that at the workplace of chippers. Acute bronchitis was also more prevalent in grinders (P < 0.05). However, tuberculosis and asthma did not vary significantly between the two occupational groups.     

Respiratory symptoms and lung function in bauxite miners

Objectives: To determine whether cumulative bauxite exposure is associated with respiratory symptoms or changes in lung function in a group of bauxite miners. Methods: Current employees at three bauxite mines in Australia were invited to participate in a survey comprising: questionnaire on demographic details, respiratory symptoms, and work history; skin prick tests for four common aeroallergens; and spirometry. A task exposure matrix was constructed for bauxite exposure in all tasks in all jobs based on monitoring data. Data were examined for associations between cumulative bauxite exposure, and respiratory symptoms and lung function, by regression analyses. Results: The participation rate was 86%. Self-reported work-related respiratory symptoms were reported by relatively few subjects (1.5%–11.8%). After adjustment for age and smoking no significant differences in the prevalence of respiratory symptoms were identified between subjects, in the quartiles of cumulative bauxite exposure distribution. The forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) of the exposed group was found to be significantly lower than that for the unexposed group. After adjustment for age, height, and smoking there were no statistically significant differences between quartiles in FEV₁, forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV₁/FVC ratio. Conclusions: These data provide little evidence of a serious adverse effect on respiratory health associated with exposure to bauxite in an open-cut bauxite mine in present day conditions. Received: 14 August 2000 / Accepted: 12 April 2001     

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in workers in a vegetable pickling and mustard production facility

Summary A group of 117 women occupationally exposed in a pickling factory were studied for the prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function changes. Workers were studied by task which included (1) pickling, (2) mustard making, and (3) packing. Similar prevalences for all respiratory symptoms were seen for the three worker groups, with all groups having significantly higher prevalences of chronic cough (P < 0.05), chest tightness, nasal catarrh, and sinusitis (P < 0.01) than a nonexposed control group from a bottling plant. Prevalences of acute symptoms were greater for pickling than for mustard or packing workers. Measured forced expiratory volume in 1 s and maximum flow rates at 50% and the last 25% of the control vital capacity were in general significantly lower than predicted values for the worker subgroups. Pickling workers exposed for more than 1 year in the industry had greater across-shift reductions for all spirometric parameters tested than those workers exposed for 1 year or less. Our data suggest that extended occupational exposure in the pickling industry results in acute exposure-related respiratory effects and ultimately may lead to the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and changes in baseline lung function.     

Lung function in Pakistani wood workers

The lung function impairment is the most common respiratory problem in industrial plants and their vicinity. Therefore, the purpose was to study the affects of wood dust and its duration of exposure on lung function. This was a matched cross-sectional study of Spirometry in 46 non-smoking wood workers with age range 20 - 60 years, who worked without the benefit of wood dust control ventilation or respiratory protective devices. Pulmonary function test was performed by using an electronic Spirometer. Significant reduction was observed in the mean values of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), and Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) in wood workers relative to their matched controls. This impairment was increased with the duration of exposure to wood industries. It is concluded that lung function in wood workers is impaired and stratification of results shows a dose-response effect of years of wood dust exposure on lung function.     

铸造接尘女工肺功能与呼吸系统症状的配对研究

为了深入探讨铸造粉尘对接尘女工呼吸系统的损害，本文按配对设计原则，就１６２对不吸烟的铸造接尘女工与对照女工进行了肺功能和呼吸系统症状的配对研究。结果表明：接尘组ＦＶＣ、ＦＥＶ１、ＦＥＦ２５％～７５％、Ｖ７５、Ｖ５０等肺功能指标的实测值均较对照组显著降低，除Ｖ７５外，Ｐ值均小于０．０１；肺功能各项指标异常、呼吸系统症状呈阳性以及患慢性支气管炎的例数，接尘组则均较对照组明显增加，且均具有统计学意义。因此，对铸造接尘女工的职业性危害问题应给予足够的重视。     

Respiratory function in sewage workers

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity were studied in a group of 74 sewage workers employed in cleaning the city sewage system of Zagreb, Croatia. Workers were studied by their work stations: closed channels (N + 26), drainage (N + 31), and other sewage workers (N + 17). The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was higher in closed channel and drainage workers than in controls, particularly for chronic cough (range: 41.9–46.2% vs. 14.3%), chronic phlegm (range: 38.7–46.2% vs. 14.3%), chronic bronchitis (range: 32.3–42.3% vs. 8.6%), and chest tightness (range: 29.0–53.8% vs. 0%). In the first two groups of sewage workers there was a high prevalence of acute symptoms which developed during the work shift, being particularly pronounced for eye irritation (range: 16.1–26.9%), dyspnea (16.1–23.1%), dizziness (range: 6.5–23.1%), throat burning (9.7–19.2%), and skin irritation (range: 22.6–26.9%). Baseline ventilatory capacity was significantly decreased compared to predicted values in sewage workers; in particular, values for FEF50 and FEF25 were reduced, suggesting obstructive changes in smaller airways. Our data indicate that sewage workers experience frequent acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and exhibit objective evidence of respiratory dysfunction. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Respiratory function in shoe manufacturing workers

A study of respiratory findings was performed on 376 female workers employed in a shoe manufacturing plant. The mean age of the workers was 32 years and the mean duration of their employment was 12 years. These workers were predominantly nonsmokers. Acute and chronic respiratory symptoms were recorded for each worker, and lung function was measured before and after the work shift. Maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves were performed on which forced vital capacity (FVC), 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV₁), and flow rates at 50% and the last 25% (FEF₅₀, FEF₂₅) were measured. Significantly higher prevalences of all chronic respiratory symptoms were recorded in exposed compared to control workers; in particular, chest tightness (exposed: 44.7%; control: 0%), dyspnea (exposed: 42.6%; control: 2.0%), and rhinitis (exposed: 46.3%; control: 2.4%) were far more prevalent in workers than in controls. Among the shoe workers, there was also a high prevalence of acute symptoms that developed during the work shift, being most pronounced for nose and throat irritation (61.4%). The prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms increased with duration of employment. Statistically significant across-shift reductions were recorded for all ventilatory capacity tests for the group as a whole. In comparison to predicted, the measured ventilatory capacity parameters were significantly lower for all workers (p < 0.01). Lung function abnormalities increased with duration of employment. Environmental measurements demonstrated that benzene, fur, and synthetic fibers were found at higher than allowable maximal concentrations (Croatian standards). The data suggest that work in the shoe manufacturing industry may be responsible for the development of acute and chronic respiratory impairment. Am. J. Ind. Med. 31:50–55 © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Effects of bioaerosol exposure on work-related symptoms among Swiss sawmill workers

Objective Exposure to bioaerosols in the occupational environment of sawmills could be associated with a wide range of health effects, in particular respiratory impairment, allergy and organic dust toxic syndrome. The objective of the study was to assess the frequency of medical respiratory and general symptoms and their relation to bioaerosol exposure. Method Twelve sawmills in the French part of Switzerland were investigated and the relationship between levels of bioaerosols (wood dust, airborne bacteria, airborne fungi and endotoxins), medical symptoms and impaired lung function was explored. A health questionnaire was distributed to 111 sawmill workers. Results The concentration of airborne fungi exceeded the limit recommended by the Swiss National Insurance (SUVA) in the twelve sawmills. This elevated fungi level significantly influenced the occurrence of bronchial syndrome (defined by cough and expectorations). No other health effects (irritations or respiratory effects) could be associated to the measured exposures. We observed that junior workers showed significantly more irritation syndrome (defined by itching/running nose, snoring and itching/red eyes) than senior workers. Lung function tests were not influenced by bioaerosol levels nor dust exposure levels. Conclusion Results suggest that occupational exposure to wood dust in a Swiss sawmill does not promote a clinically relevant decline in lung function. However, the occurrence of bronchial syndrome is strongly influenced by airborne fungi levels.