Immunological and respiratory changes in soy bean workers

Summary Immunological and respiratory findings were studied in a group of 19 male soybean workers. Twenty control workers also participated in the immunological studies. All soybean workers had positive immediate skin reactions to soybean extract, as did 19/20 control workers. Similarly, 18/19 soy workers reacted to soy antigen prepared after separation from oil, but only 3/19 to soy lecithin antigen and 1 to soy oil antigen. A majority of soy workers (13/19) reacted to house dust. Only 3/19 soy workers had increased levels of soy-specific IgE. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was higher in exposed than in control workers, being significantly different for dyspnea (P < 0.01). Workers with increased specific serum IgE or positive skin tests to house dust did not have any more symptoms than workers with negative tests. Ventilatory function was significantly worse in soybean workers than expected. Nevertheless, workers with positive skin or serological tests to house dust had across-shift changes similar to those with negative tests. These data suggest that skin and airway responses to soybean components (particularly the non-lipid ones) are very frequent among soybean workers. In the current study specific (soy) and non-specific (house dust) skin tests and immunoglobulins did not allow us to identify the workers at risk of developing symptoms or lung function abnormalities. This suggests that in addition to any atopic mechanisms, the irritant effect of soy dust may play a role in this occupational airway disease.     

Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function among wood dust-exposed joss stick workers

Health hazards associated with wood dust exposure have been investigated in various industries. This study surveyed wood dust exposure levels and pulmonary effects among joss stick workers. Greater dust concentrations, as measured by six-stage cascade impactors, were observed in work areas where joss sticks were produced and incense was mixed than in other work areas. Total dust concentrations for these two high dust activities ranged from 9.9 to 42.7 mg/m³, and respirable proportions were between 2.0% and 54.6%. Higher dust levels were observed for dry joss stick production methods than for wet production methods. Dust levels for all other performance areas were lower than the permissible exposure level of 10 mg/m³. Although symptoms of cough and phlegm were higher in smoking workers than in nonsmoking workers, the prevalence of respiratory symptoms for exposed workers was not significantly higher than for the controls. The prevalence of pulmonary function deficits and the values of FEF_25% and FEF_75% in the exposed workers were significantly worse than those in the controls. But no difference was found between the male controls and the male exposed workers, the high-exposure group. Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function also did not show a dose-response trend with the exposure levels estimated by correlation with worker job titles and duration of employment. No suspected case of pneumoconiosis was found from the chest radiographs. These results suggest that wood dust exposure in the joss stick industries might not lead to significant pulmonary damage.     

Toxic encephalopathy due to 1,1,1-trichloroethane exposure

Immunological status and respiratory function were studied in a group of 64 wool textile workers (52 women and 12 men). A group of 46 workers not exposed to wool dust served as a control for the respiratory symptoms and immunologic testing. Skin testing was performed with different wool allergens (domestic and Australian) as well as with common allergens. Ventilatory capacity was measured in wool workers on Mondays before and after the work shift. The prevalence of positive skin tests to all allergens was higher in wool than in control workers, although the difference was statistically significant only for washed domestic wool (wool workers: 42.2%; control workers: 19.6%; p < 0.05). Increased serum IgE levels were more frequent in wool (26.6%) than in control workers (3.1%) (p<0.01). In wool textile workers there was a high prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms. Significant across-shift reductions in ventilatory capacity tests, as well as abnormal baseline lung function, were recorded in wool textile workers. Individual data demonstrated that many of the wool workers had FEF₂₅ lower than 70% of predicted. In general, the prevalence of symptoms and the lung function abnormalities did not correlate with the results of specific (wool) skin tests. Our data indicate that exposure to wool dust in some workers may be associated with the development of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and impairment of lung function. Immunologic abnormalities, although frequent in this group, do not appear to be associated with the severity of these changes.     

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 Symptoms among Cotton Workers and Dropouts Three Years after the Start of Work

Abstract

A longitudinal study of cotton workers was undertaken to assess the presence of work-related medical effects. A cohort of 110 subjects was examined before starting work and one year later. Measurements of pulmonary function were made before and after the work shift. Airway responsiveness was measured using a methacholine challenge test. A questionnaire was used to determine work-related symptoms. The 60 workers who remained after three years experienced an over-shift drop in FEV₁ and an increase in airway responsiveness that did not increase after the first year. The data from the dropout group (n = 50) before work and after one year were compared with those for the active workers. The dropout group had a higher prevalence of symptoms of chest tightness and nasal irritation after one year of work. Atopy was not more common in this group. The results suggest that leaving work was related to symptoms of airways inflammation but not to atopy.     

Respiratory function in animal food processing workers

A group of 71 men employed in animal food processing was studied to assess the prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and the presence of lung function abnormalities. In addition, a control group of 55 unexposed men was studied for the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms. A significantly higher prevalence for most of the chronic respiratory symptoms was found among the exposed workers compared to the control workers. Those workers who smoked had a significantly higher prevalence of chronic cough, chronic phlegm, chronic bronchitis, and chest tightness than the smokers in the control group. For nonsmokers, the differences between exposed and control workers were significant for chronic phlegm and chest tightness. The frequency of acute symptoms associated with the work shift was high among the animal food workers. There were significantly lower measured values for FVC, FEV1, and FEF50 in the exposed group (smokers and nonsmokers) compared to predicted lung function values. In smokers, all measured parameters of ventilatory capacity were significantly less than predicted; for nonsmokers, the FVC and FEV1 were less than normal. Our data indicate that exposure to dust in the animal food industry may be associated with the development of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and the impairment of lung function. Smoking, in this setting, appears to aggravate these changes.     

Across-shift lung function variation in cottonseed oil workers

BACKGROUND: The effects of cotton dust on pulmonary function among workers employed in cotton-spinning mills are well known. However, little data exist on the prevalence of this disorder in 'non-textile' cotton industries, including cottonseed oil mills, where high levels of exposure to dust have been demonstrated. AIMS: This study was performed in order to determine the across-shift and across-week decline of FEV(1) and respiratory symptoms among workers in a cottonseed oil mill. METHODS: Sixty-six exposed and 48 unexposed workers of a cottonseed oil mill in Turkey were investigated by questionnaire and lung function test (LFT). LFTs were performed before and after shift on all the working days of the week. Acute airway response was defined as an across-shift decline in FEV(1) of 5% or more on the first working day. RESULTS: Smoking was the only risk factor for having respiratory symptoms. Acute airway response was more frequently observed in the exposed group as compared to the unexposed group (OR = 6.2, 95% CI = 2.3-16.7). The median across-shift decline in FEV(1) on the first day (120 ml) significantly improved on the following days (10, 50, 60 and -30 ml). CONCLUSION: Smoking appears to be the main risk factor for having respiratory symptoms. Cottonseed dust may cause an acute pulmonary function decline on the first working day, but not on the following days of the week. This decline is associated with respiratory symptoms in exposed workers.     

Lung function and symptoms in employees of poultry farms

Zusammenfassung In verschiedenen Hühnerhaltungssystemen wurden die Stallklimafaktoren gemessen. Der Gesamtstaub betrug auf Kopfhöhe des Menschen im Mittel 5.0 mg/m³, der Ammoniakgehalt 13 ppm mit Spitzenwerten um 50 ppm. Um eventuelle respiratorische Probleme bei den Hühnerhaltern festzustellen, wurde bei 26 Personen (7 Frauen, 19 Männer) die dynamische Lungenfunktion gemessen und eine Befragung in bezug auf arbeitsassoziierte respiratorische Symptome durchgeführt. Eine hohe Prävalenz (38%, 10 von 26) von obstruktiven Ventilationsstörungen wurde gefunden. Das FEV₁ der exponierten Männer ist signifikant tiefer als der Sollwert (EGKS). Es wurde eine Beziehung zwischen der Expositionsdauer und der Lungenfunktion festgestellt.

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Lung function and symptoms in poultry farmers

Summary Environmental measurements were made in different types of poultry confinement buildings. Levels of total dust 1.6 meters above the ground averaged 5.0 mg/m³. Ammonia levels averaged about 13 ppm with peak values of about 50 ppm. To study possible respiratory problems of the people working in these confinement buildings, the ventilatory lung function was measured and an interrogation concerning respiratory symptoms was carried out by 26 (7 females, 19 males) poultry farmers. A very high prevalence (10 of 26) of obstructive ventilatory lung function changes was found. The FEV₁ values of the exposed men were significantly lower than the predicted normal values (ECCS). An association between duration of exposure and pulmonary function exists.

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Fonction pulmonaire et symptômes chez des éleveurs de volaille

Résumé Les conditions du milieu ambiant ont été mesurées dans différents types de poulaillers. La moyenne de la poussière totale prise à la hauteur de la tête humaine est de 5,0 mg/m³, celle de l'ammoniaque de 13 ppm avec des valeurs extrêmes de 50 ppm. Pour évaluer un éventuel problème respiratoire des éleveurs de poules, la fonction pulmonaire a été mesurée et un questionnaire concernant les symptômes respiratoires a été rempli par 26 (7 femmes et 19 hommes) éleveurs. Nous avons trouvé une prévalence très haute d'obstruction ventilatoire pulmonaire de 38%. Les valeurs FEV₁ des hommes exposés sont considérablement plus basses que les valeurs normales (ECCS). Il existe une relation significative entre la durée de l'exposition et la fonction pulmonaire.

     

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.     

Chronic and acute respiratory effects among grain mill workers

Exposure to flour dust may induce chronic respiratory manifestations as well as acute ventilatory effects. We compared the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, ventilatory impairment, and variations in pulmonary function over the workshift in a group of mill workers exposed to wheat flour and in referent workers. One hundred and forty-two men exposed to flour in a mill and 37 referent workers were included in this study. Each subject completed a standardized questionnaire. Pulmonary function tests were performed before and after the workshift. The assessment of environmental exposure to flour showed high concentrations during some jobs with a high percentage of inhalable particles and a low concentration of respirable particles. The exposed workers had a significantly higher prevalence of usual cough and usual phlegm than the referents. The prevalence of asthma, based on the questionnaire, was similar. Before the workshift, the exposed workers had significantly lower mean lung function values for peak flow rate and forced expiratory flow rate at 75% of the vital capacity than the referents. After the workshift, all the lung function values showed a slight decrease, significant for forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume during 1 s in both groups. Among the exposed workers, the asthmatic subjects had a significantly higher decrease across the shift than the nonasthmatic workers. This result is probably linked to bronchial hyperreactivity. Among nonasthmatic subjects, the decrease was larger in nonexposed workers than in exposed workers. A higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms and lower pulmonary function values were observed among mill workers by comparison with referents. Moreover, the data suggest that asthmatic status and the time of spirometric measurements need to be taken into account in epidemiological studies on exposure to airborne allergens. In addition, the study does not exclude a healthy worker effect with selection of dust-resistant subjects or better identification of asthmatic subjects among the workers exposed to an allergenic substance than among the nonexposed workers.     

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.     

Prevalence of respiratory allergy in a platinum refinery

Summary In a cross-sectional study, 65 workers in the chemical industry with exposure to platinum salts were investigated with regard to the prevalence to allergic respiratory tract diseases. A respriatory questionnaire, a skin-prick test with K₂PtCl₆ and environmental allergens, determination of total IgE, platinum-specific IgE and histamine release in basophilic granulocytes and lung function tests were applied before and after a Monday shift and after a Friday shift. Work-related symptoms of respiratory allergy were present in 23% of all workers, but were significantly more frequent in the most exposed group in the platinum refinery (52.4%). Of all workers, 18.7% had a positive skin-prick test with platinum salt. As compared to the other workers, the workers with work-related symptoms of respiratory allergy had significantly more positive skin-prick tests (64.3%) and a higher total IgE and platinum-specific IgE; they did not, however, show higher histamine release. In the course of the week, a significant fall in lung function, namely in FEV₁ and FEF25, was recorded in the group of workers with work-related symptoms.     

Respiratory health effects of long-term exposure to different chromium species in stainless steel production

The aim of this study was to determine whether occupational exposure to chromite, trivalent chromium (Cr(3+)) or hexavalent chromium (Cr(6+)) causes respiratory diseases, an excess of respiratory symptoms, a decrease in pulmonary function or signs of pneumoconiosis among workers in stainless steel production. Altogether, 203 exposed workers and 81 referents with an average employment of 23 years were investigated for indicators of respiratory health on two occasions, in 1993 and in 1998. Data collection with a self-administered questionnaire, flow volume spirometry, measurement of diffusing capacity, chest radiography and laboratory tests were carried out by a mobile research unit. Exposure to different chromium species and other metals was monitored regularly and studied separately. No adverse respiratory health effects were observed in the group exposed to Cr(6+), either in comparison with the control group in the first cross-sectional study or during the additional 5 year follow-up. Among the Cr (3+) exposed people, the production of phlegm, shortness of breath and breathlessness on exertion were significantly more frequent than in the control group, but the frequency of the symptoms did not increase during the follow-up; no differences were observed in the lung function tests and the radiographic findings did not progress. In the chromite group, the prevalence of breathlessness on exertion was higher than in the control group. However, in the follow-up, the occurrence of symptoms did not differ from 1993 to 1998. In the first study, most parameters of lung function were lower among the smokers in the chromite group than among the smoking controls, but in 1998 the difference was less marked. An average exposure time of 23 years in modern ferrochromium and stainless steel production and low exposure to dusts and fumes containing Cr(6+), Cr(3+), nickel and molybdenum do not lead to respiratory changes detectable by lung function tests or radiography. The workers exposed to Cr(3+) had more respiratory symptoms than those in the control group. The workers in the chromite mine had lower lung function test results than the control group due to earlier exposure to higher dust concentrations.     

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function in workers exposed to portland cement dust

The healthy worker effect and incomplete exposure information have been problems in former studies regarding the association between exposure to Portland cement dust and respiratory effects. We included former workers and made an individual estimation of particle exposure to reduce the selection bias in this controlled cross-sectional study on the effects of cement dust exposure on respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function in long-term exposed Norwegian cement plant workers. A total of 119 workers from the largest cement plant in Norway and 50 workers from a nearby control plant, born 1918 to 1938, performed spirometry and gave information on respiratory symptoms in 1998 and 1999. The prevalence of symptoms and mean pulmonary function indices were similar for exposed workers and controls. There was no dose-response-related increase in symptoms or decrease in lung function indices. The estimated power to detect a true difference between forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in the two groups of 0.3l was 0.90, assuming 95% significance level. The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was 14.3% in the exposed group and 14.0% among the controls. These findings do not support the hypothesis that cement dust exposure has a negative impact on lung function or gives an increase in respiratory symptoms.     

金属加工液接触者班前班后肺功能变化研究

  目的   调查某汽车制造企业接触金属加工液工人的呼吸系统症状,测定工人班前班后肺功能变化,以探讨金属加工液暴露对接触者呼吸系统的影响。
  方法   对观察组158名接触金属加工液的工人和对照组116名装配作业工人,进行职业健康检查和跨班肺功能测定并进行比较。
  结果   观察组作业场所检出低浓度的二乙胺、三乙醇胺。咳嗽、胸闷、气喘是金属加工液（MWF）接触工人常见的呼吸系统症状,观察组中有70例（占44.30%）工人至少出现1种呼吸系统症状,高于对照组（27例,占23.28%）（P < 0.01）。观察组班后呼气峰流速（PEF）异常率较班前升高,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。与班前比较,观察组工人班后肺功能指标FEV₁、FEV₁/FVC、PEF均降低（P < 0.05）,其中FEV₁、FEV₁/FVC、PEF分别下降7.72%、4.43%、6.75%。观察组班后FEV₁/FVC、PEF低于对照组（P < 0.05）。观察组班后肺功能损伤发生率高于班前（P < 0.05）,且班后异常率高于对照组（P < 0.05）,主要表现为以FEV₁降低、伴FEV₁/FVC降低为特征的阻塞性通气功能障碍。高工龄观察组班后FEV₁、FEV₁/FVC、PEF均低于低工龄组（P < 0.05）。观察组工人班后FEV₁、FEV₁/FVC、PEF下降大于15%的工人分别占3.16%、1.90%、6.33%,有3.16%达到诊断哮喘的水平。
  结论   金属加工液接触可致呼吸系统健康危害,表现为呼吸系统症状发生率增高和肺功能下降,应加强金属加工液接触者的呼吸防护。
     

Menstrual disorders and pelvic pain after sterilization

Changes in menstrual cycle length, menstrual duration, number of pads, dysmenorrhea and non-cyclic pelvic pain were studied in 43 women following tubal sterilization with three different techniques. One group consisted of 17 women undergoing laparotomy by Pomeroy technique; the second group consisted of 11 women undergoing laparoscopy by Fallope rings; and the third group consisted of 15 women undergoing colpotomy by fimbriectomy. The differences before and after sterilization in cycle length were non-significant in all groups (p<0.05). After sterilization, menstrual duration and number of pads were significantly increased in the laparotomy (p<0.001) and laparoscopy (p<0.01) groups but non-significantly in the colpotomy group (p>0.05). Comparison of these parameters between the groups did not show any significant differences (p>0.05). After sterilization, increases in the severity of dysmenorrhea and non-cyclic pelvic pain were non-significant in all groups (p>0.05). We concluded that there were no significant differences in menstrual disorders after sterilization among these three different techniques.

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Resumen Los cambios en la duración del ciclo menstrual, el número de compresas, la dismenorrea y el dolor pelviano aciclico se estudiaron en 43 mujeres tras la esterilización tubaria con tres técnicas diferentes. El Grupo I consistió en 17 mujeres sometidas a laparotomia con la técnica de Pomeroy. El Grupo II consistió en 11 mujeres sometidas a laparoscopia con anillos de Falopia. El Grupo III consistió en 15 mujeres sometidas a colpotomia por fimbriectomia. Las diferencias en la duración del ciclo antes y después de la esterilización no fueron significativas en ninguno de los grupos (p>0,05). Después de la esterilización, la duración menstrual y el número de compresas aumentaron significativamente en los grupos de laparotomia (p<0,001) y laparoscopia (p<0,01) pero no fueron significativas en el grupo de colpotomia (p<0,05). Las comparaciones de estos parámetros entre los grupos no señalaron ninguna diferencia significativa (p>0,05). Después de la esterilización, el aumento en la severidad de la dismenorrea y el dolor pelviano aciclico no fue significativo en ninguno de los grupos (p>0,05). Se llegó a la conclusión de que los trastornos menstruales después de la esterilización no señalaban ninguna diferencia significativa entre estas tres técnicas diferentes.

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Resumé Les modifications de la durée du cycle menstruel et des menstruations, le nombre de protections périodiques utilisées, la dysménorrhée et les douleurs pelviennes non cycliques, sont autant d'éléments qui ont été étudiés chez 43 femmes à la suite d'une stérilisation tubaire opérée par trois techniques différentes. Le Groupe I comprenait 17 femmes soumises à une laparotomie par la méthode de Pomeroy. Le Groupe II comprenait 11 femmes soumises à laparoscopie avec bagues de Fallope. Le Groupe III comprenait 15 femmes soumises à une colpotomie et une résection des franges. Aucun des groupes n'a fait apparaïtre de différence significative dans la durée du cycle avant et après la stérilisation (p>0,05). Après la stérilisation, la durée des menstruations et le nombre de protections périodiques ont augmenté de façon significative dans les groupes de laparotomie (p<0,001) et laparoscopie (p>0,01) et non significative dans le groupe de colpotomie (p>0,05). La comparaison de ces paramètres entre les groupes n'a pas révélé de différences significatives (p>0,05). Après la stérilisation, la dysménorrhée et les douleurs pelviennes non cycliques n'ont augmenté significativement en sévérité dans aucun des groupes (p>0,05). Nous en avons conclu que les troubles menstruels à la suite d'une stérilisation ne faisaient apparaïtre aucune différence significative entre les trois différentes techniques.

     

Urinary platinum in hospital personnel occupationally exposed to platinum-containing antineoplastic drugs

A group of 57 female workers employed in the processing of poultry food and 51 nonexposed control workers were studied to determine the possible relation between respiratory and immunological findings in poultry food workers. The prevalences of all chronic respiratory symptoms were significantly higher in exposed than in control workers (P < 0.01) except for occupational asthma. The highest prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms in exposed workers was found for chronic cough (49.1 %), followed by dyspnea (43.9%), rhinitis (38.6%), chronic phlegm (31.6%), and chronic bronchitis (26.3%). Occupational asthma was found in 5.3% of exposed workers. Exposed workers with a positive skin prick test to poultry food extract demonstrated higher prevalences of all chronic respiratory symptoms than those with negative skin tests, although the difference was statistically significant only for rhinitis (P < 0.05). The most frequent skin reactions were found for poultry food extract (exposed: 66.7%; control: 25.5%; P < 0.05). An increased IgE serum level was found in 19 (33.3%) of the exposed and in four (7.8%) of the control workers (P < 0.01). Three exposed workers with occupational asthma demonstrated an increased serum IgE level. Our data confirm previous results indicating that occupational exposure to poultry food dust may be associated with the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and immunological changes in exposed workers.     

Respiratory illnesses and ventilatory function among workers at a cement factory in a rapidly developing country

Chronic exposure to Portland cement dust has been reported to lead to a greater prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and a reduction of ventilatory capacity. The seriousness of pulmonary function impairment and respiratory disease has not been consistently associated with the degree of exposure. Regular use of appropriate personal protective equipment, if available at the worksite, could protect cement workers from adverse respiratory health effects. For a variety of reasons, industrial workers in rapidly developing countries do not adequately protect themselves through personal protective equipment. This study explores the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function among cement workers and the practice of use of personal protective equipment at work. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics, smoking profile and history of respiratory health among workers at a Portland cement plant (exposed) and workers occupationally unexposed to dust, fumes and gases (unexposed). Pulmonary function was assessed and pulmonary function impairment was calculated for the exposed and the unexposed workers. A higher percentage of the exposed workers reported recurrent and prolonged cough (30%), phlegm (25%), wheeze (8%), dyspnoea (21%), bronchitis (13%), sinusitis (27%), shortness of breath (8%) and bronchial asthma (6%). Among the unexposed, prevalences of these symptoms were 10, 5, 3, 5, 4, 11, 4 and 3%, respectively. Ventilatory function (VC, FVC, FEV(1), FEV(1)/VC, FEV(1)/FVC and PEF) was significantly lower in the exposed workers compared with unexposed workers. These differences could not be explained by age, body mass index (BMI) or pack-years smoked. Ventilatory function impairment, as measured by FEV(1)/FVC, showed that 36% of the exposed workers had some ventilatory function impairment compared with 10% of those unexposed. Certain jobs with greater exposure to cement dust had lower ventilatory function compared with others among the exposed workers. It was concluded that adverse respiratory health effects (increased frequency of respiratory symptoms and decreased ventilatory function) observed among cement workers could not be explained by age, BMI and smoking, and were probably caused by exposure to cement dust.     

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.     

滑石接尘矿工呼吸系统损害的调查

对接触滑石尘５年以上的２６７名男性矿工进行了呼吸系统症状阳性率，慢性支气管炎患病率与肺功能损害的调查与分析。结果表明：不论吸烟与否，接尘组咳嗽、咯痰、胸闷，气短等呼吸系统症状阳性率、慢性支气管炎患闰率均显著高于对照组。ＦＶＣ、ＦＥＶ１、ＭＭＦ、ＰＥＦ、Ｖ５０、Ｖ２５等指标实测值／预计值（％）较对照组明显较低，异常率明显升高。多因素分析结果表明：接尘工龄是影响肺功能损害的主要因素，即接尘工龄越长，肺