Respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation in asphalt workers.
BACKGROUND
Asphalt workers are exposed to bitumen fume and vapour, and to exhaust from engines and passing traffic.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the occurrence of respiratory symptoms and signs of airflow limitations in a group of asphalt workers.


METHODS
All 64 asphalt workers and a reference group of 195 outdoor construction workers from the same company participated in a cross-sectional study. Spirometric tests and a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and smoking habits were administered. Respiratory symptoms and lung function were adjusted for age and smoking.


RESULTS
The FEV1/FVC% ratio was significantly lower in the asphalt workers than in the referents. Symptoms of eye irritation, chest tightness, shortness of breath on exertion, chest wheezing, physician diagnosed asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were all significantly more prevalent among the asphalt workers.


CONCLUSIONS
In asphalt workers there is an increased risk of respiratory symptoms, lung function decline, and COPD compared to other construction workers.
Randem
B G
BG
Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Rikshospitalet University Hospital, 0027 Oslo, Norway. britt-ra@online.no
Ulvestad
B
B
Burstyn
I
I
Kongerud
J
J
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology
D006838:Hydrocarbons; C006647:asphalt