Airflow limitation and changes in pulmonary function among bleachery workers.

• This study investigated whether chronic airflow limitation and rapid decline in pulmonary function were associated with peak exposures to ozone and other irritant gases in pulp mills. Bleachery workers potentially exposed to irritant gassings (n = 178) from three Swedish pulp mills, and a comparison group of workers not exposed to irritant gassings (n = 54) from two paper mills, were studied. Baseline surveys occurred in 1995-1996, with follow-up surveys in 1998-1999. Participants performed spirometry and answered questions regarding ozone, chlorine dioxide (ClO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2) gassings. From regression models controlling for potential confounders, declines in both the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (-24 mL x yr(-1)) and the forced vital capacity (FVC) (-19 mL x yr(-1)) were associated with ClO2/SO2 gassings. At follow-up, the prevalence of chronic airflow limitation (i.e. FEV1/FVC less than the lower limit of normal) was elevated for participants with only pre-baseline ozone gassings and with both pre-baseline and interval ozone gassings, after controlling for potential confounders. These findings suggest that obstructive effects among bleachery workers are associated with ozone gassings, and that adverse effects on spirometry might also accompany chlorine dioxide/sulphur dioxide gassings. Peak exposures to irritant gases in pulp mills should be prevented.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Lungmedicin och allergi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Respiratory Medicine and Allergy (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Adult

Air Pollutants

Occupational

adverse effects

Airway Resistance

Case-Control Studies

Chlorine Compounds

adverse effects

Cohort Studies

Confidence Intervals

Female

Follow-Up Studies

Humans

Industry

Lung Diseases

chemically induced

epidemiology

Male

Middle Aged

Occupational Diseases

diagnosis

epidemiology

etiology

Occupational Exposure

adverse effects

Oxides

adverse effects

Ozone

adverse effects

Paper

Probability

Reference Values

Regression Analysis

Respiratory Function Tests

Risk Assessment

Spirometry

methods

Sulfur Dioxide

adverse effects

Sweden

epidemiology

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)