Lung function among workers in the soft tissue paper-producing industry.
OBJECTIVE
To describe lung function in correlation with information on exposure to dust and fibers in soft tissue paper-producing factories in Germany.


METHODS
Ambient monitoring was performed for inhalable, respirable dust and fibers in nine soft tissue paper-producing factories. In a study group of 1,047 workers (189 control subjects, 240 workers with moderate exposure, and 618 workers with high exposure), spirometry (FVC, FEV(1)) was performed. Information on occupational history, duration of exposure, workshop within the company, former occupational exposures, and smoking habits were collected. By employing multiple linear regression modeling, the potentially confounding effects of age, sex, body mass index, smoking habits, and factory were incorporated into the analysis of FVC, FEV(1), and FEV(1) in percent of FVC (FEV(1)%FVC). By employing a logistic regression model, odds ratios were calculated for FVC < 80% predicted in different exposure subgroups.


RESULTS
The mean concentrations for inhalable, respirable, and fibrous dusts were 12.4 mg/m(3), 0.28 mg/m(3), and 420,000 fibers per cubic meter. With relation to cumulative dust and fiber exposure, a decrease of FVC from 105.4% predicted to 96.9% predicted (dust) and 97.1% predicted (fibers) in the subgroup with highest cumulative exposure was observed. For FEV(1), a decrease from 107.3% predicted to 103.0% predicted (dust) and 102.8% predicted (fibers) was found. The parameter estimates show dose-response relationships that are more pronounced for FVC compared to FEV(1). FEV(1)%FVC did not change significantly with increasing cumulative exposure, indicating a restrictive pattern of the findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Due to high ambient dust concentrations and the observed adverse effects on lung function, a reduction of dust exposure and secondary preventive measures is advised.
Kraus
Thomas
T
Institute and Outpatient-Clinic for Occupational Medicine, University Hospital, Aachen University of Technology, Pauwelsstrasse 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany. thomas.kraus@post.rwth-aachen.de
Pfahlberg
Annette
A
Zöbelein
Petra
P
Gefeller
Olaf
O
Raithel
Hans Jürgen
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004391:Dust; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D010209:Paper; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014797:Vital Capacity
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust