Nasal problems in wood furniture workers. A study of symptoms and physiological variables.
The occurrence of symptoms from the upper airways in the furniture industry was studied by means of a questionnaire which was answered by 676 wood furniture workers from 50 different factories. Twenty per cent reported nasal hypersecretion and 40% nasal obstruction. A randomized sample of 61 workers was investigated further. Rhinomanometry confirmed the sense of nasal obstruction objectively. The air-conditioning capacity was normal. Nasal clearance was reduced in 54% of the wood-workers. Spirometry revealed a significantly reduced forced expiratory vital capacity in the investigated workers, compared with a normal reference material. The mean concentration of wood dust was 2.0 mg/m3 air (range 0.30-5.06 mg/m3). These results have initiated further allergological and morphological studies in wood furniture workers.
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis; D000403:Airway Resistance; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014797:Vital Capacity; D014934:Wood
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust