Respiratory function and bronchial reactivity in mill workers.
Professional exposure to vegetable dusts affect the respiratory function of the exposed subjects. A previous survey conducted in an industrial flour-mill demonstrated a higher frequency of respiratory symptoms in workers compared to a control group. Ten subjects employed in a work site particularly exposed to dust were studied. Each subject answered a questionnaire and performed on Mondays and Fridays, at the beginning and end of his work shift, a flow volume curve and an isocapnic hyperventilation test. The aerobiology of the professional environment was also measured. We noted: 1) in the flow volume curves: a drop in the FEV1 during the Monday morning shift, a significant difference between the FEV1 (p less than 0.05) and the MMEFR 25-75 (p less than 0.05) measured at 6 am on Monday and Friday, and between the MMEFR 25-75 values obtained at 12 noon on Monday and Friday (p less than 0.05). 2) after isocapnic hyperventilation, a significant drop in the MMEFR 25-75 at 6 am on Monday (p less than 0.01) and in the FEV1 and MMEFR 25-75 at 12 noon on Mondays (p less than 0.05), a significant drop in the FEV1 at 1 pm on Monday (p less than 0.01).
Taytard
A
A
Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital X. Arnozan, Chu de Bordeaux, Pessac, France.
Tessier
J F
JF
Faugere
J G
JG
Vergeret
J
J
Freour
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000397:Air Pollution; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005433:Flour / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005540:Forced Expiratory Flow Rates; D006801:Humans; D008450:Maximal Midexpiratory Flow Rate; D008875:Middle Aged; D012119:Respiration; D014797:Vital Capacity
D004391:Dust