title: Workplace air quality and lung function among dental laboratory technicians.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Stomatology and Department of Public Health, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Suh-Woan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Yuh-Yih
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Tzu-Chin
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Chun-Cheng
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Chang-Chuan
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Shih-Chun Candice
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lung
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; C060877:Dakril 4B