Respiratory effects of diesel exhaust in salt miners.
The respiratory health of 259 white males working at 5 salt (NaCl) mines was assessed by questionnaire, chest radiographs, and air and He-O2 spirometry. Response variables were symptoms, pneumoconiosis, and spirometry. Predictor variables included age, height, smoking, mine, and tenure in diesel-exposed jobs. The purpose was to assess the association of response measures of respiratory health with exposure to diesel exhaust. There were only 2 cases of Grade 1 pneumoconiosis, so no further analysis was done. Comparisons within the study population showed a statistically significant dose-related association of phlegm and diesel exposure. There was a nonsignificant trend for cough and dyspnea, and no association with spirometry. Age- and smoking-adjusted rates of cough, phlegm, and dyspnea were 145, 159, and 93% of an external comparison population. Percent predicted flow rates showed statistically significant reductions, but the reductions were small and there were no dose-response relations. Percent predicted FEV1 and FVC were about 96% of predicted.
D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005540:Forced Expiratory Flow Rates; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012907:Smoking; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014797:Vital Capacity
D000393:Air Pollutants; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D012965:Sodium Chloride