Occupational exposures to acid mists and gases and ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa.
BACKGROUND
This study examines the hypothesis that acid mist or mixtures of acid mists and acid gases are associated with ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa.


METHODS
All 665 active male workers of a metal processing factory were the study population. Semi-quantitative measures of exposure were estimated from a job exposure matrix constructed with industrial hygienist scoring and job titles. Ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa were identified with standardized clinical dental exams.


RESULTS
Past exposure to acid mists were positively associated with ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa but only among workers without lip sealing (age- and alcohol consumption-adjusted prevalence ratio (PR), PR(adjusted) = 3.40; 90% CI: 1.48-7.85). Also in this worker group, the mixture of acid mists and acid gases was associated with ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa limited to exposure in the past (PR(adjusted) = 2.83; 90% CI: 1.12-7.17).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a positive association between acid mist or mixtures of acid mists and acid gases and ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa only in the absence of lip sealing. The evidence of a chronic rather than acute irritative process suggests a possible step on the etiology of oral malignancies, which needs investigation.
Department of Social Odontology, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil. isabel@ufba.br
Maria Isabel Pereira
MI
Vianna
Vilma Sousa
VS
Santana
Dana
D
Loomis
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols / Q000633:toxicity*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005740:Gases / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid / Q000633:toxicity; D008046:Lip / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013461:Sulfur Oxides / Q000633:toxicity; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000633:toxicity; D013997:Time Factors
D000336:Aerosols; D005740:Gases; D013461:Sulfur Oxides; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; C011118:sulfur trioxide; D006851:Hydrochloric Acid