Dust exposure and impairment of lung function at a small iron foundry in a rapidly developing country
Dust exposure and impairment of lung function at a small iron foundry in a rapidly developing country
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DOI：
10.1136/oem.58.10.656
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发表时间：
2001-10-01
影响因子：
4.9
通讯作者：
Pahwa, P
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Gomes, J;Lloyd, OL;Pahwa, P
目的：采用横断面前瞻性研究方法，对铸铁厂工人(接尘工人)和软饮料灌装供应公司工人(非接尘工人)进行工作环境中呼吸性粉尘的职业接触及其对肺功能的影响。对所有接尘工人和未接尘工人进行个人呼吸性粉尘浓度测量。结果接触组呼吸中段流量(FEF25~75)、1秒用力呼气容积(FEV1)、最大呼气流量(PEF)、FEV1/FVC、FEV1/VC比值显著降低，肺活量(VC)和用力肺活量(FVC)无明显升高。铁铸造厂的工作是肺功能的重要预测指标。在铸铁厂接触高浓度的呼吸性粉尘也是一个重要的预测因素。在高暴露区域(一般作业、熔炉、连铸区和制造车间)工作的工人肺功能值低于中、低暴露区域的工人。吸烟不会增加接尘对肺功能的影响。结论铸铁厂工人的呼吸性粉尘暴露水平较高，其中一般、炉膛、轧钢和机械制造工人的接尘水平高于连铸、机械车间和灌装厂工人。工作类型和接触粉尘是肺功能的显著预测因素。实行工业卫生，并在工作时适当和有效地使用个人防护设备，可以帮助保护工业工人的呼吸健康。
Objectives-A cross sectional prospective study was carried out among iron foundry workers (exposed) and soft drink bottling and supply company workers (unexposed) to assess their occupational exposure to ambient respiratory dust in their work environment and its effect on their lung function profile.Participants-Lung function was measured in 81 exposed and 113 unexposed workers. Personal respirable dust concentrations were measured for all the exposed and the unexposed workers. Information on respiratory signs and symptoms was also collected from the participants.Results-Among the exposed workers, midexpiratory flow (FEF25-75) forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), FEV1/FVC, and FEV1/VC ratios were significantly lower whereas the vital capacity (VC) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were nonsignificantly higher. job at the iron foundry was a significant predictor of lung function. Exposure to high concentration of respirable dust at the iron foundry was also a significant predictor. Workers working in high exposure areas (general works, furnace, continuous casting areas, and fabrication workshop) had lower lung function values than workers in medium and low exposure areas. Smoking did not enhance the effects of exposure to dust on lung function.Conclusions-Exposure to respirable dust was higher among the iron foundry workers; and among these, general, furnace, rolling mill, and fabrication workers had higher exposures to dust than did workers in continuous casting, the mechanical workshop, and the bottling plant. job type and exposure to dust were significant predictors of lung function. Implementation of industrial hygiene and proper and efficient use of personal protection equipment while at work could help to protect the respiratory health of industrial workers.