title: A cohort study using pulmonary function tests and x-ray examination in toner-handling workers: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses from 2003 to 2008.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study uses pulmonary function tests and chest x-ray examinations to examine the relationship between toner-handling work and its health effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were 1504 male workers in a Japanese toner and photocopier manufacturing company, in the age range from 19 to 50 years in 2003. Personal exposure measurements, pulmonary function tests, chest x-ray examinations, biomarker measurements, and a questionnaire about respiratory symptoms were conducted. The present study reports the results of pulmonary function tests and chest x-ray examinations conducted in the subjects, which includes a cross-sectional study on the toner handling and non-handling workers and a longitudinal study from 2003 to 2008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Few significant findings were suspected to be caused by toner exposure found in pulmonary function indices in both the cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Any obvious fibrotic findings in chest x-ray findings related to the toner exposure could not be found out.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No evidence of adverse effects on pulmonary function indices and chest x-rays was present in the toner-handling workers as compared to the nonspecifically exposed workers. Although the toner exposure concentration is quite low in the current well-controlled working environment, even among the toner-handling workers, we would like to continue this study in the future to verify the toner exposure health effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Work Systems and Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan h-kita@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kitamura
authors.affiliation: Department of Work Systems and Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Terunuma
authors.affiliation: Department of Work Systems and Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kurosaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Work Systems and Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hata
authors.affiliation: Department of Work Systems and Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masuda
authors.affiliation: Department of Work Systems and Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kochi
authors.affiliation: Department of Work Systems and Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yanagi
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Hachioji, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Murase
authors.affiliation: Department of Work Systems and Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ogami
authors.affiliation: Department of Work Systems and Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Higashi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008420:Manufactured Materials; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011327:Printing; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Inhalation toxicology/pulmonary toxicology; epidemiology; occupational toxicology; photocopier; printer; toner