Obstructive and restrictive ventilatory impairment in polyvinylchloride fabrication workers.
Responses to a standardized respiratory symptom questionnaire, spirometry, and cross-shift decreases in lung function between 70 current employees of a polyvinylchloride (PVC) fabrication plant and a control group consisting of 48 men employed in a vegetable packing plant were compared. FEV1/FVC was significantly lower in the PVC workers. Cross-shift drops in Vmax75 of 15% or more were also more prevalent in the exposed group (p = .01). When examining the association between months of work within the exposed workforce and spirometric indices of airway obstruction, no relationship could be demonstrated. However, an inverse dose-response relationship was seen between level of FVC and duration of employment, suggesting a restrictive impairment. While the specific exposures have not been identified, it appears that employment in PVC fabrication may be associated with both obstructive and restrictive ventilatory effects.
Ernst
P
P
School of Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
De Guire
L
L
Armstrong
B
B
Thériault
G
G
D000328:Adult; D002000:Bronchospirometry; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014797:Vital Capacity
D011145:Polyvinyls; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride