[Lung function and respiratory tract disease among stonewool factory workers].
BACKGROUND
We examined the respiratory health of a Danish workforce exposed to man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) during production.


METHODS
Workers with more than five years' occupational exposure to MMVF (n = 377) were compared to a group without MMVF exposure (n = 381). Respiratory health was assessed by questionnaire, dynamic spirometry, and measurement of transfer factor. The overall response rate was 63%. A sample of non-responders was assessed by questionnaire and spirometry.


RESULTS
On most spirometric indices, the two groups had comparable values. However, a larger proportion (14.5%) of the exposed subjects had an obstructive flow pattern than the controls (5.3%). Subgroup analyses showed that the elevated risk of airway obstruction associated with exposure was confined to heavy smokers. Transfer factor and prevalences of symptoms and self-reported disease were similar in the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no indication of excess risk of lung fibrosis. However, a number of exposed workers have some degree of airflow obstruction, which cannot be explained by known confounders. An additive or synergistic action between smoking and fibre exposure on airflow obstruction can be speculated.
Hansen
Ejvind Frausing
EF
Københavns Amts Center for Sygdomsforebyggelse, Amtssygehuset i Glostrup. Frausing@dadlnet.dk
Rasmussen
Finn Vejlø
FV
Hardt
Finn
F
Kamstrup
Ole
O
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019016:Mineral Fibers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014797:Vital Capacity
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D019016:Mineral Fibers