title: 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.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Faculty Division, Akershus University Hospital, University of Oslo, N-1478 Lørenskog, Norway. vidar.soyseth@medisin.uio.no
authors.forename: Vidar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Søyseth
authors.forename: Helle Laier
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Johnsen
authors.forename: Jūrate Saltyte
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Benth
authors.forename: Siri Merete
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hetland
authors.forename: Johny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kongerud
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D017554:Carbon Compounds, Inorganic; D017655:Silicon Compounds; C022088:silicon carbide; D012825:Silicon