Cross-sectional study on respiratory effect of toner exposure.
In this baseline study, part of a cohort study to clarify the effect of toner exposure on the respiratory system, we surveyed 803 male toner workers and 802 referents with regard to their subjective respiratory symptoms and chest X-ray results. We also examined individual exposure history, current working conditions, and personal exposure levels to toner. There was a significantly higher prevalence of "coughing and sputum" related complaints among toner-exposed workers in the 30 and 40-year age groups. The group with toner-exposure history showed a higher odds ratio, by logistic regression, in relation to all questions regarding coughing. Mild fibrotic changes were observed in the chest X-rays of four workers who had engaged in toner-exposure work for at least a decade or more, and all four had reported allergic disease. Although we observed a tendency of higher prevalence of "coughing and sputum" in toner-exposed workers, the possibility of information bias cannot be eliminated. It should also be noted that this tendency did not exceed that of the general public. Further analysis is required in this ongoing 10-year cohort study to clarify the effect of toner exposure on the respiratory system.
Terunuma
Niina
N
Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan. terunuma@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp
Kurosaki
Shizuka
S
Kitamura
Hiroko
H
Hata
Koichi
K
Ide
Reiko
R
Kuga
Hiroaki
H
Kakiuchi
Noriaki
N
Masuda
Masashi
M
Totsuzaki
Takafumi
T
Osato
Atsushi
A
Uchino
Bungo
B
Kitahara
Kayo
K
Iwasaki
Akio
A
Yoshizumi
Koji
K
Morimoto
Yasuo
Y
Kasai
Hiroshi
H
Murase
Tadashi
T
Higashi
Toshiaki
T
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008420:Manufactured Materials; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010316:Particle Size; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires