Rubberwood dust and lung function among Thai furniture factory workers.
The objective of this study was to assess factors affecting lung function among 685 workers in the rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) furniture industry in the Chonburi and Rayung provinces of eastern Thailand. Study data were gathered using questionnaires, by sampling wood dust, and by spirometry. The mean wood dust exposure level in the factories was 4.08 mg/m3 (SD = 1.42, range: 1.15-11.17 mg/m3). The mean overall percent of predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC values were 84 % (SD = 13.41), 86 % (SD = 14.40), and 99% (SD = 10.42), respectively. Significant negative correlations were found between mean dust exposure levels and FVC (p = 0.0008), and FEV1/FVC% (p < 0.001), but not FEV1 (p = 0.074). An association between decline in lung function and wood dust levels among wood workers suggests that rubberwood dust exposure negatively affects lung function.
Thetkathuek
Anamai
A
Department of Industrial Hygiene and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Burapha University, Muang, Chonburi 20131, Thailand. anamai@buu.ac.th
Yingratanasuk
Tanongsak
T
Demers
Paul A
PA
Thepaksorn
Phayong
P
Saowakhontha
Sastri
S
Keifer
Matthew C
MC
D000328:Adult; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D028482:Hevea; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D012907:Smoking; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D014934:Wood / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis
D004391:Dust