Lung function in workers refining phosphorus rock to obtain elementary phosphorus.
Elevated levels of phosphoric acid, phosphorus pentoxide, fluorides and coal tar pitch volatiles were present in workplace air of a two-oven industrial refinery. One hundred thirty-one workers prospectively underwent annual pulmonary function testing (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and forced expiratory flow). Regression of these spirometric data, analyzed longitudinally over 3 to 7 years and also cross-sectionally reveals no residual significant effect of industrial exposure after adjusting for the effect of age and smoking. This industrial exposure contributes only weakly and inconsistently to the well-documented reduction of spirometric lung function that occurs from smoking alone. No significant reductions of spirometry occurred in exposed nonsmokers or former smokers.
Dutton
C B
CB
Albany Medical College, New York 12208.
Pigeon
M J
MJ
Renzi
P M
PM
Feustel
P J
PJ
Dutton
R E
RE
Renzi
G D
GD
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003033:Coal Tar / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000009:adverse effects; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017553:Phosphorus Compounds; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D017553:Phosphorus Compounds; D010758:Phosphorus; C012500:phosphorus pentoxide; D003033:Coal Tar; D005459:Fluorides