CT findings related to exposure to polyvinyl chloride.
BACKGROUND
Although some adverse health effects of exposure to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are well known, there is limited evidence of its effects on the respiratory system.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the pulmonary effects of exposure to PVC with high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT).


METHODS
Workers and administrative staff of two PVC production plants completed questionnaires and went through pulmonary function testing and HRCT. Analysis of PVC dust in the work environment was performed by the Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety.


RESULTS
In total, 104 PVC-exposed workers and 43 administrative controls participated. HRCT revealed pleural and/or parenchymal changes in 55% of the exposed subjects. Pleural thickening was detected in 14 subjects, 13 of whom were in the exposed group (P < 0.05). Isolated pleural thickening without parenchymal involvement was present in seven workers, who were all in the exposed group (P < 0.05). Pleural thickening was frequently bilateral and localized to the parietal and visceral pleura. Round opacities, heterogeneous attenuation and ground-glass opacities were only detected in the exposed group (P < 0.05). Exposure to dust increased the risk of findings on HRCT (odds ratio (OR) 4.2, P < 0.05). There were no correlations between pulmonary function tests or respiratory symptoms and HRCT findings. HRCT changes were more common in subjects with forced mid-expiratory flow (FEF(25-75)) < 50% (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
This study found that exposure to PVC dust, at levels below the legal limit for respirable particulate matter, was associated with parenchymal changes and pleural thickening on HRCT.
Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey.
H
H
Süyür
O
O
Elbek
N
N
Bayram
N
N
Aydın
A
A
Özkur
N
N
Gündogğdu
İ
İ
Akkurt
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D010994:Pleura / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D055815:Young Adult
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride