title: Investigation of pulmonary function among employees exposed to low levels of monomeric isocyanates and solvents at an automobile finishings plant.
abstract: There have been reports in the literature of decrements in pulmonary function associated with long-term, low-level monomeric isocyanate exposure combined with solvent exposure. This cross-sectional study examines the relationship between these exposures and pulmonary function in an automobile paint and coating (finishes) plant. A job exposure matrix was developed for isocyanate and solvent exposure; years in a work task were used as a surrogate for exposure. Recent pulmonary function tests were used as the outcome variables; specifically the difference between predicted and actual FEV1 and FVC. The results of the analysis demonstrated no statistically significant relationship between combined isocyanate and solvent exposure and decline in pulmonary function. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between solvent exposure and FEV1 and FVC.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Health Services Program, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1W8. michael.schweigert@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schweigert
authors.forename: Sol
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sax
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: House
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Henderson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001336:Automobiles; D002170:Canada; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D017953:Isocyanates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D017953:Isocyanates; D012997:Solvents