Lung health in workers exposed to reed dust.
We conducted a cross-sectional survey in a cellulose plant among 109 reed workers, exposed to reed dust and 78 unexposed office workers, to investigate respiratory health effects of reed dust exposure. Investigations included dust measurements, serum total IgE, skin prick test, pulmonary function testing and questionnaire on respiratory symptoms. Total dust level in the reed processing unit was higher than the office (9.7 and 0.02 mg/m3, respectively). Reed workers had a higher rate of current smoking (67% and 46%, respectively). After the adjustment for smoking status and age, reed dust exposure was significantly associated with wheezing, chronic cough, dyspnea, itching eyes and itching nose. Chest tightness and ODTS symptoms were only reported by reed workers (27.5% and 23.9%, respectively). After the adjustment for pack-years of smoking, percentage of predicted FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75 in reed workers were significantly lower than office workers. Among reed workers, wheezing was associated with older age (>40 years) and ever smoking, and cross-shift decline in FVC and FEV1 with shorter duration of work. Reed dust exposure in the workplace could provoke respiratory symptoms, possibly due to an irritating effect. Health selection bias is likely, and could have underestimated the health effects of reed dust exposure.
Cöplü
Lütfi
L
Hacettepe University, Department of Chest Diseases, 06100, Sihhiye, Ankara-Turkey. lcoplu@hacettepe.edu.tr
Demir
Ahmet Uğur
AU
Fuat Kalyoncu
A
A
Cöplü
Nilay
N
Selçuk
Z Toros
ZT
Enünlü
Tayfun
T
Karakoca
Yalçin
Y
Sahin
A Altay
AA
Bariş
Y Izzettin
YI
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002482:Cellulose / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust; D002482:Cellulose