title: Spirometric abnormalities associated with chronic bronchitis, asthma, and airway hyperresponsiveness among boilermaker construction workers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In a 2-year longitudinal study of boilermaker construction workers, we found a significant association between working at oil-fired, coal-fired, and gas-fired industries during the past year and reduced lung function. In the present study, we investigated whether chronic bronchitis, asthma, or baseline methacholine airway responsiveness can explain the heterogeneity in lung function response to boilermaker work.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is part of an ongoing prospective cohort study of boilermakers. Exposure was assessed with a work history questionnaire. Spirometry was performed annually to assess lung function. A generalized estimating equation approach was used to account for the repeated-measures design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Boilermaker union members.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred eighteen boilermakers participated in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-reported history of chronic bronchitis and asthma were associated with a larger FEV1 reduction in response to workplace exposure at coal-fired and gas-fired industries. Although we found a high prevalence (39%) of airway hyperresponsiveness (provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1 of < 8 mg/mL) among boilermakers, we did not find a consistent pattern of effect modification by airway responsiveness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although chronic bronchitis and asthma were associated with a greater loss in lung function in response to hours worked as a boilermaker, and therefore they acted as effect modifiers of the exposure-lung function relationship, airway hyperresponsiveness did not. However, the high prevalence of airway hyperresponsiveness found in the cohort may be a primary consequence of long-term workplace exposure among boilermakers.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. rhauser@hohp.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Russ
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hauser
authors.forename: Ellen A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Eisen
authors.forename: Lucille
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pothier
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bledsoe
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Christiani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003252:Construction Materials; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012882:Skin Tests; D013147:Spirometry