Rayon flock: a new cause of respiratory morbidity in a card processing plant.
BACKGROUND
Following employee respiratory concerns, we investigated the health effects of rayon flock exposure at a card manufacturing plant.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional survey including environmental evaluation, standardized questionnaires, spirometry, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity testing, and methacholine challenge testing.


RESULTS
From a total of 239 participants, 146 (61%) reported working at least 1 hr per week in areas where flock-coated cards are processed (flock workers) and 47 (20%) reported cleaning equipment with compressed air. These workers had generally higher prevalences of respiratory symptoms. Flock workers and employees with longer tenure at areas where flock-coated cards are processed were more likely to have restrictive impairment of lung function. Although dust and fiber samples were largely below the detection limits, peak exposures to airborne particulate occurred during cleaning with compressed air.


CONCLUSIONS
Working with rayon flock and cleaning with compressed air were associated with health effects in workers at this plant.
Antao
Vinicius C S
VC
Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, USA. vinicius.antao@yahoo.com
Piacitelli
Chris A
CA
Miller
William E
WE
Pinheiro
Germania A
GA
Kreiss
Kathleen
K
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000633:toxicity*; D002482:Cellulose / Q000633:toxicity*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013783:Textile Industry; D014797:Vital Capacity; D014903:West Virginia / Q000453:epidemiology
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust; D002482:Cellulose; C012024:rayon, purified