Workplace air quality and lung function among dental laboratory technicians.
BACKGROUND
Dental laboratory technicians are exposed to dust and/or methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the workplace. Potential effects of the exposures on lung function merit further clarification.


METHODS
This study measured lung function of 45 dental technicians, before and after shifts, on 3 workdays and monitored workplace concentrations of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 mm (PM2.5) and MMA in five dental laboratories in Taiwan. Base metals in particles were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence. Repeated measurement analysis was applied to estimate potential effects of PM2.5 on pulmonary function.


RESULTS
PM2.5 ranged from 26 microg/m3 to 664 microg/m3 and levels of MMA were low in these laboratories. Nickel, cobalt, and chromium were detected in the particles. After controlling for important factors, PM2.5 was associated with a small decrease in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory flow in one second.


CONCLUSIONS
Workplace PM2.5 was associated with a non-significant decrease in lung function of dental technicians.
Hu
Suh-Woan
SW
Institute of Stomatology and Department of Public Health, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Lin
Yuh-Yih
YY
Wu
Tzu-Chin
TC
Hong
Chun-Cheng
CC
Chan
Chang-Chuan
CC
Lung
Shih-Chun Candice
SC
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D003800:Dental Technicians; D004391:Dust; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D007754:Laboratories, Dental; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology*; D008768:Methylmethacrylates / Q000633:toxicity; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D010316:Particle Size; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D017132:Workplace
D004391:Dust; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; C060877:Dakril 4B