Respiratory disease in aggregate quarry workers related to risk factors and Pi phenotype.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the respiratory health and its relationship with exposure to silica, smoking, alpha 1-antitrypsin, and Pi phenotype in aggregate quarries workers.


METHODS
In a prevalence study, 378 subjects were studied, x-ray opacities and pulmonary function was analyzed in relation to cumulative dust exposure, smoking, alpha1- antitrypsin, and Pi phenotype.


RESULTS
The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of round opacities (> or =0/1) was significantly related to smoking (P <0.001). The predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) percentage had a negative relationship with the product dust. pack-years (P = 0.005). The OR of FEV1 <90% was 3.03 for smokers exposed to dust versus nonexposed nonsmokers (P = 0.049). The criteria for dust-tobacco interaction are satisfied. A subgroup with the highest level of alpha1-antitrypsin presented more opacities and worse pulmonary function.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiologic alterations are found in relation to tobacco. The FEV1 has a negative relation with the product dust-tobacco. No alterations related to Pi phenotype are found. A subgroup with the highest alpha1-antitrypsin levels had more radiologic alterations and worse function.
Montes
Isabel Isidro
II
National Institute of Silicosis, Central Hospital of Asturias, 3306 Oviedo, Spain. isaisidro@hotmail.com
Rego
G
G
Camblor
C
C
Quero
A
A
González
A
A
Rodríguez
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000633:toxicity*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010641:Phenotype; D011009:Pneumoconiosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011859:Radiography; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000633:toxicity*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000378:metabolism; D019896:alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; D012822:Silicon Dioxide