[A prospective cohort study on the effect of occupational dust exposure and smoking on mortality].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of dust exposure and smoking on mortality.


METHODS
Based on the Guangzhou Occupational Health Surveillance Record System established in 1989-1992, 61,648 factory workers, aged > or = 30, occupationally exposed to dust and non-exposure to dust or any other hazardous substances(controls), were included in a prospective cohort study.


RESULTS
(1) 28 were lost to follow-up. Malignant neoplasm was most common among 1,186 deaths. (2) Most subjects were male workers, aged 35 to 44, with secondary education, and married. 42.2% had ever smoked and 32.8% were ever-drinkers. (3) To compare with non-exposure, non-smoking + non-smoking and non-exposure respectively, the adjusted RR of death from all causes, malignant neoplasm and respiratory diseases were 1.24, 1.34 and 1.96 respectively for dust exposed workers(compared to control, P < 0.01), 1.16, 1.37 and 1.63 respectively for those smoking(compared to non-smoker except RR of death from respiratory diseases, P < 0.01), and 1.48, 1.85 and 3.12 respectively for those smoking and dust exposure, which were far greater than those either smoked or exposed to dust alone(P < 0.01). (4) The influence of dust exposure on death was mainly showed in occupational exposure to silica dust and wood dust.


CONCLUSIONS
Both dust exposure and smoking may increase the mortality, and they had synergistic effect.
Zhang
Weisen
W
Guangzhou Occupational Diseases Prevention & Treatment Centre, Guangzhou 510620, China.
Jiang
Chaoqiang
C
Lam
Tai Hing
TH
Chen
Qing
Q
Yin
Ho Sai
HS
Liu
Weiwei
W
He
Jianmin
J
Cao
Min
M
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D012907:Smoking / Q000401:mortality*; D014934:Wood
D004391:Dust; D012822:Silicon Dioxide