Effects of occupational exposures and smoking on lung function in tile factory workers.
Summary of "Effects of occupational exposures and smoking on lung function in tile factory workers."
PURPOSE:
The aims of this study were to investigate the relations of occupational exposures in tile industry to lung function and to evaluate potential interaction between smoking and tile dust exposure containing silica.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study of 232 workers (response rate 100%) in a tile factory and 76 office workers (response rate 73%) from four factories in Thailand was conducted in 2006-2007. Participants answered a questionnaire and performed spirometry.
RESULTS:
Factory workers had lower spirometric functions than office workers, especially those with high dust exposure. There was a dose-response relation between duration of dust exposure and FEV1 and FVC, the adjusted effect of ≥21 years of exposure on FEV1 being -240 ml (-100 to -380) and on FVC -300 ml (-140 to -460). The adverse effect of dust on lung function was larger in current smokers suggesting synergism between smoking and tile dust exposure.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study provides evidence that long-term exposure to dust in tile industry is related to lung function reduction. There was a suggestion of synergistic effect between dust exposure and smoking. Tile factories should consider measures to reduce dust exposure and arrange spirometry surveillance for workers with such exposure. Smoking cessation should be promoted to prevent harmful effects of occupational tile dust exposure.
Affiliation
Respiratory Medicine Unit, Department of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland, maritta.jaakkola@oulu.fi.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: International archives of occupational and environmental health
ISSN: 1432-1246
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21120663
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00420-010-0603-6
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Noise, Occupational
Noise present in occupational, industrial, and factory situations.
Survival Analysis
A class of statistical procedures for estimating the survival function (function of time, starting with a population 100% well at a given time and providing the percentage of the population still well at later times). The survival analysis is then used for making inferences about the effects of treatments, prognostic factors, exposures, and other covariates on the function.
Pneumoconiosis
A diffuse parenchymal lung disease caused by inhalation of dust and by tissue reaction to their presence. These inorganic, organic, particulate, or vaporized matters usually are inhaled by workers in their occupational environment, leading to the various forms (ASBESTOSIS; BYSSINOSIS; and others). Similar air pollution can also have deleterious effects on the general population.
Smoking Cessation
Discontinuation of the habit of smoking, the inhaling and exhaling of tobacco smoke.
Follow-up Studies
Studies in which individuals or populations are followed to assess the outcome of exposures, procedures, or effects of a characteristic, e.g., occurrence of disease.
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