Production of silicon metal and alloys is associated with accelerated decline in lung function: a 5-year prospective study among 3924 employees in norwegian smelters.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between decline in lung function and production of alloys in the Norwegian smelting industry.


METHODS
All employees (N = 3924) were examined annually for 5 years (16,570 examinations). The employees were classified into three categories: 1) line operators (employed full time in the production line), 2) nonexposed (no exposure last year), and 3) non-line operators (remaining subjects). The outcome variable was expressed as forced expiratory volume in 1 second per squared height (FEV1/height(2)).


RESULTS
In the subcohorts of the ferrosilicon/silicon metal and silicon carbide industries, the differences between line operators and nonexposed workers were -2.3 (-4.3 to -0.3) (CI = 95%) and -5.6 (-10.4 to -0.7) mL/(m(2) x year), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Line operators in the ferrosilicon/silicon metal and silicon carbide industries had a steeper annual decline in FEV1/height compared with nonexposed workers.
Søyseth
Vidar
V
Department of Medicine, Faculty Division, Akershus University Hospital, University of Oslo, N-1478 Lørenskog, Norway. vidar.soyseth@medisin.uio.no
Johnsen
Helle Laier
HL
Benth
Jūrate Saltyte
JS
Hetland
Siri Merete
SM
Kongerud
Johny
J
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017554:Carbon Compounds, Inorganic; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D009664:Norway; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012825:Silicon / Q000633:toxicity*; D017655:Silicon Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D012829:Silicosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
D017554:Carbon Compounds, Inorganic; D017655:Silicon Compounds; C022088:silicon carbide; D012825:Silicon