title: Cross-sectional study on respiratory effect of toner exposure.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of industrial and Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyusyu, Japan. terunuma@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Niina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Terunuma
authors.forename: Shizuka
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kurosaki
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kitamura
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hata
authors.forename: Reiko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ide
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kuga
authors.forename: Noriaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kakiuchi
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masuda
authors.forename: Takafumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Totsuzaki
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Osato
authors.forename: Bungo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Uchino
authors.forename: Kayo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kitahara
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iwasaki
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshizumi
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Morimoto
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kasai
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Murase
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Higashi
mesh_terms: 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