title: Obstructive pulmonary function impairment among Korean male workers exposed to organic solvents, iron oxide dust, and welding fumes.
abstract: We evaluated spirometric obstructive pulmonary function impairment among workers who were occupationally exposed to organic solvents, iron oxide dust, or welding fumes. Data were collected from records of periodic health examinations of workers. In total, 448 Korean male workers were enrolled and classified into three exposure groups: exposure to organic solvents, iron oxide dust, or welding fumes. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between occupational exposure and pulmonary function. Compared to exposure to organic solvents, exposure to iron oxide dust was significantly associated with obstructive pulmonary function impairment (odds ratio [OR], 9.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.20-41.97). The group exposed to welding fumes did not show a significantly higher OR compare to those exposed to organic solvents (OR, 2.83; 95% CI, 0.74-10.8). These results suggest that exposure to iron oxide dust has a greater association with obstructive pulmonary function impairment than exposure to organic solvents or welding fumes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.forename: Sang-Yoon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dae Hwan
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004391:Dust; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D005740:Gases / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012997:Solvents / Q000633:toxicity*; D014896:Welding
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005740:Gases; D012997:Solvents; C000499:ferric oxide